Madison M.

Madison is a student at York University’s Glendon campus pursuing her degree in education. Being enrolled in York’s Concurrent Education program, Madison has completed a Bachelor’s of Art in French studies and is currently completing her Bachelor’s of Education. With a passion for the French language, Madison is an aspiring French teacher. In order to immerse herself in the French language and further develop her proficiency, she has completed two immersion programs through the Canadian governments Explore program. Through these programs at the University of Sainte-Anne in Nova Scotia and the University of Laval in Québec, Madison was not only able to enrich her language but also learn more about different cultures. Madison has an interest in working with children and aims to teach French at the primary level. Throughout the past four years, Madison has been tutoring for many different families in her neighbourhood. She has spent many of her summers working full-time with French families, helping their children keep up with their learning. Through her time tutoring, she has learned how to work effectively with children and adjust her teaching strategies depending on each child’s needs.

Madison spends her free time staying active through hikes and dedicating time in her day to the outdoors. She enjoys cooking as well as baking and loves learning new recipes.

Veronica P.

Veronica is currently pursuing a degree in Computer Science with a concentration in Software Engineering at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU). Her academic journey includes two years of study toward a Bachelor of Mathematics at the University of Waterloo, which provided her with a robust foundation within the various branches of mathematics. Her strong academic performance has been recognized with numerous awards and distinctions.

Veronica’s enthusiasm for mathematics extends into its application across technology, science, and business. Outside the classroom, she has garnered valuable experience working with students ranging from preschool to high school through tutoring, volunteering in classrooms, after-school programs, and summer camps. Veronica is committed to fostering a supportive and engaging learning environment where students can develop the skills needed to achieve their goals.

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.