MICHELLE P.

Michelle is a dedicated educator with a Bachelor of Education and a Bachelor of Arts from York University, earned through the Concurrent Program. As an Ontario Certified Teacher, she specializes in the Primary/Junior Division and has taught grades K-6 across both public and private schools. Michelle is pursuing French certifications at the University of Toronto, with plans to attain FSL additional qualifications in the coming year.

Through her teaching experiences, Michelle has developed a keen ability to facilitate dynamic classroom environments and adapt her methods to accommodate diverse learning styles. She employs a range of strategies to engage students effectively, recognizing that each child learns differently and tailoring her approach to meet individual needs. Her belief in the potential of every student fuels her teaching approach, which prioritizes instilling confidence, promoting hard work, and cultivating perseverance.

Michelle is committed to the principles of a growth mindset, striving to inspire and support her students in reaching their full potential. Her dedication to education is reflected in her proactive pursuit of professional development and her unwavering support for her students’ learning journeys.

REBECCA N.

Rebecca has a year of teaching experience at the elementary level and is trained in direct instruction with experience in a classroom of high needs students. She completed her first degree in Health Sciences with minors in both Biology and Psychology at Wilfrid Laurier University, and her second degree in Education with a specialization in Elementary Science at the University of Calgary. Rebecca believes that teaching should be inquiry-based and include student involvement and opinions. She is also dedicated to getting to know and understand each and every one of her students and their various strengths and weaknesses in order to be able to differentiate her teaching to meet their individual needs. In her free time Rebecca likes to go to yoga class, hang out with her three dogs, and compete in Lifesaving Sport competitions.

Claire W.

Claire received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto in 2016, with a double major in English and Women & Gender Studies and a minor in Semiotics & Communication Theory. During her undergraduate studies, Claire served as the editor for various sections of Victoria College’s newspaper (The Strand), honing her proofreading, writing support, and digital design skills. She also spent two years as the elected Equity Commissioner of Victoria College’s student council, working with other student groups to organize and push for improved equity-related programming and policies on campus.

Claire discovered her passion for teaching and education during the two years she spent working as an English language instructor and private tutor in Spain. Claire completed her Master of Teaching in the Junior/Intermediate stream at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) (University of Toronto) in 2023. Claire is deeply passionate about Special Education and supporting learners across diverse abilities and experiences. She believes in the power of literacy as a vehicle of transformation — not only through its capacity to inspire personal growth in students and educators alike, but also as an agent of broader social change.

During her free time, Claire likes to make art and spend time outdoors. She can often be found cycling around the West end, swimming in a nearby body of water, or working on a DIY project at home. Claire is also a regular meditator and is passionate about bringing mindfulness practices and strategies into her teaching.

MARCELA M.

Marcela has a Bachelor of Arts with a major in French Language Learning from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Education from York University. She is also of Latin American decent, making her fluent in English, French, and Spanish. She teaches high school for the TCDSB.

KAROLINA S.

Karolina Solovka is a recent graduate of York University, where she earned both a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Performance Creation and Research and a Bachelor of Education in Teacher College for grades 4-10. She currently teaches dance and drama at Ms. Marianne’s Power of Performing Arts studio, where she leads both recreational and competitive classes. Karolina also plays a key role in the studio’s productions, with the upcoming show being, Into The Woods Jr!

Karolina’s teaching philosophy is rooted in flexibility and adaptability, tailored to meet the diverse needs of her students. She is committed to continuous growth and development as an educator, aiming to provide her students with a rich foundation of knowledge and unforgettable learning experiences. Her ultimate goal is for her students to leave her classroom feeling confident in their abilities, eager to learn, and ready to seize every opportunity, regardless of the outcome. She is super happy to join the team here at Prep Academy and is so excited to meet her future students!

Leah M.

Leah is a bilingual graduate of Mechanical Engineering at UofT. After working as an engineer in 3D printing for 2 years, she is going back to school to pursue a Masters of Teaching at OISE. She specializes in math, science and french. As a tutor and teacher, Leah hopes to use her passion for STEM to inspire and help students reach their full potential.

Leah has worked for several years at a french summer camp, leading groups aged 3 to 14. She has also volunteered at a french high school as an “Engineer in Residence” leading workshops on engineering and 3D printing. During her undergraduate studies, she was a Teaching Assistant for 2 years for a first year engineering course that touched on topics such as organization, time management, ethics and mental health. In her spare time, Leah loves to make art, bike, dance and birdwatch.

Matthew N.

Matthew’s journey as an educator began at George Brown College where he studied Early Childhood Education, and later obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Studies at Toronto Metropolitan University. Matthew aspires to become a teacher, and is currently pursuing a Bachelors of Education at York University. He has experience teaching children in a variety of different settings, which includes working at a childcare centre with children between the grades of 1 and 7. There, he developed lesson plans for his students, which included activities surrounding their interests, and focused on improving skills such as language, math, gross/fine motor skills, and social development. He also has experience being a swim instructor, and assistant coach for a soccer team, where he enjoys the opportunity to learn and connect with the students he works with.

Julie T.

Laura N.

Laura is a dedicated educator currently completing her Master of Teaching at the University of Toronto as a second-year candidate. With a background in an Honours Double Major in English and Creative Writing from Concordia University, graduating cum laude, Laura has a passion for the English language and storytelling. Through education and experience, she brings studied knowledge, creativity, and passion to her teaching practice.

In the prestigious JET Programme, Laura spent four years teaching English in Japan, refining her instructional skills and gaining a wealth of experience with students in grades one to six. Laura has taught at Lambton Kingsway Junior Middle School and Wedgewood Junior School in her practicums, teaching grades four and one respectively. Both students and teachers can attest that Laura left an indelibly positive mark on her classrooms in these practicums. Beyond teaching, Laura has served countless summers as a counselor and office administrator at summer camps in the GTA and Montreal, working with and creating unforgettable bonds with children and their families.

Laura brings her expertise and passion to students through Prep Academy, offering support in all subjects for grades one to six, particularly in literacy using the Direct Instruction program. She looks forward to embarking on this learning journey with you!

AMANDA H.

Amanda is a fourth-year student at York University’s Glendon campus, pursuing a Bachelor of Education in French Studies with a specialization in Mathematics, aiming to become a high school teacher. Fully bilingual, Amanda has extensive experience working with students at all levels of French, including core, immersion, extended, and full French.

As a dedicated teacher, Amanda finds fulfillment in witnessing her students’ progress and success. She has a rich background in tutoring and teaching French and Math across all grade levels, from primary to high school. Amanda’s teaching approach is immersive and tailored to each student’s needs. She begins by assessing their French or Math proficiency through diagnostic tests, enabling her to design customized lesson plans and homework assignments to ensure their success.

Amanda offers both online and in-person lessons, incorporating interactive activities such as quizzes and games to reinforce concepts learned during the session. She adapts her teaching methods and materials to accommodate each student’s learning style and interests. Moreover, Amanda maintains open communication with parents, providing regular feedback on their child’s progress.

In her free time, Amanda enjoys reading, spending time with friends, playing soccer, and staying active through workouts.

Amanda H