Tutors
"Remember, popcorn is prepared in the same pot, in the same heat, in the same oil, but the kernels do not pop at the same time.
Don't compare your child to other children, his/her turn to pop is coming."
Angela Baird
I am a former Humber College teacher and an over 17-year volunteer (in and out of the classroom) with the Peel District School Board, winning several Volunteer of the Year awards. I am also a Nutritherapy Practitioner who specializes in behaviour modification.
I became a tutor and opened our family-owned business because I wanted to make a difference in the lives of children who not only struggle with their grades but also with their feelings of self-worth. This led to the development of results-driven programs that help boost grades and build self-esteem.
As a mother of two beautiful daughters, Kassandra, who owns a costume design business, and Anissa, who is my business partner, and is now looking forward to completing her PhD, I understand that we, as parents, often try so hard to understand the material our children are being taught or what the teacher is asking for. Often, we end up frustrated when we don't know how to help our children. I also know first-hand that our children do not always respond to parental help.
In addition, I understand that children, who are having problems absorbing material, are often ridiculed by their peers, leading to a breakdown in their level of confidence. A lack of confidence often causes children to stop participating in the classroom, hide their problems, lose focus or rush through work, become introverted or, alternatively, act out. Children who are struggling might also tell themselves that they are stupid or that they don't really like the subject anyway, as a defence mechanism to protect themselves from the feelings that come with getting poor grades or their inability to grasp the work being taught to them in the classroom.
As a private tutor, I provide a safe and nurturing environment that gives struggling children permission to struggle without shame. Out of sight from their judgmental peers and/or teachers, whose expectations might not be realistic, children can now get the individualized attention they need to support their learning and unlock their self-confidence.
I also provide a learning environment that enables children, who want to learn more or who need more of an academic challenge, to grow and develop. Also, many children suffer from "test stress," which often leads to lower marks and a decline in self-confidence. I work with children to help alleviate this stress, providing stress-relieving strategies.
Tutor Tots is not just about doing homework with your children or handing your children volumes of worksheets. We are about nurturing relationships, building self-esteem, and giving your children permission to be the best they can possibly be.
Anissa B
Anissa is our Grade 6 to Grade 12 math and science tutor. She also helps our younger students who are in French programs at school. Anissa has completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto, majoring in linguistics and computer science. In 2021, she completed her Master's Degree in Linguistics, and is currently in her first year of her PhD. She is the recipient of many scholastic achievement awards, and is also a published author for her work on Apocope in Heritage Italian.
Anissa knows firsthand the positive influence a tutor can make in a child's life. Frustrated with math herself, she developed an amazing relationship with her own tutor, Dean, and, with Dean's help, she boosted her confidence and went on to receive many awards in math. Anissa is compassionate and positive, and she understands that, with the right tutor, anything is possible.
Click on the link to see Anissa's article in the Toronto Sun (2018)
torontosun.com/news/local-news/goldstein-charitys-legacy-lives-on
Anissa's Published Paper: Apocope in Heritage Italian
| languages-06-00120.pdf |
Kayla TW
Kayla is currently in the final year of her post-secondary degree in Concurrent Education. Kayla holds an undergraduate degree at Lakehead University, majoring in French, minoring in Indigenous Learning and is concurrently working towards her Bachelor of Education in the primary/junior divisions.
During her time at Lakehead, Kayla has earned her place on the Dean's List (2017-Present), received numerous scholarships, and participated in a Study Abroad program in Grenoble, France (January 2020). She has also been a dedicated member and team captain of the Lakehead University Dance Team (2017-2021). She also wrote an honour's thesis in her fourth year that focused on the analysis of colonization in franco-indigenous literature. Prior to attending Lakehead University in 2017, she graduated from Humberview Secondary School as an Ontario Scholar with a French Immersion Studies certificate.
Throughout her university career, she's had the pleasure of working in various children's programs, both in and out of the classroom. She has spent multiple summers as a camp counsellor and site supervisor, and during her school years teaching dance, leading after-school recreation programs and tutoring students of all ages.
Kayla has experience tutoring Language (Kindergarten to Grade 8), High School English, Math (Kindergarten to Grade 6), and French as a Second Language. Kayla strives to provide a safe and comfortable environment for students to learn and grow.
Kayla's message to parents is, "I want my students to be excited to learn!"
Chanelle R
Chanelle is entering the second year of her undergraduate degree, Bachelor of Science in nursing, at Ryerson University. She is currently working towards her goal of becoming a nurse practitioner.
Throughout her academic career, she has been an activate part of several clubs, a participant in peer tutoring, and was awarded Ontario Scholar as well as Honour Roll upon graduating from St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic High School.
Chanelle has gained great hands-on experience helping children within the classroom through volunteer work at St. Patrick's elementary school. The relationships she built with the children allowed her to have a positive impact on their learning environment and experience.
Chanelle's message to the parents is, "I strive to help my students grow their confidence both in and outside of the classroom!"
Christina D
Christina is a graduate from the University of Toronto, where she completed her Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics with a double minor in English and Visual Studies. She was acknowledged as one of the Top 50 high school students joining the undergraduate program and continued to receive multiple awards throughout her studies for her distinguished performance. At the graduate level, she completed her Master’s Degree in Linguistics, where she conducted research on the structure of Cantonese nominalization and worked as a Teaching Assistant for an undergraduate linguistics course.
In addition to leading tutorial sessions as a Teaching Assistant, Christina has experience with teaching beyond the university class setting. She tutored Grade 8 and 9 math in one-on-one sessions during the summers of her undergraduate years, as well as undergraduate syntactic theory in the summer of her graduate career.
Christina’s message to parents is, “I want to help students not only improve, but also be comfortable with and enjoy the learning process.”
Victoria P
Victoria is currently in her fourth year of her undergraduate degree at the University of Guelph, majoring in Fine Arts and minoring in History. She is currently working towards her Bachelors of Education.
Throughout her time at the University of Guelph, Victoria has obtained a spot on the Dean's List
(2018-Present). Victoria has had the opportunity to work with a variety of children's programs including youth leadership programs with the YLCC, camp counseling, as well as tutoring.
Victoria's message to parents is, "I want to make students feel confident and proud of their hard work!"
Simonetta A
Simonetta is currently in her undergraduate year at the University Of Waterloo. She is studying a variety of subjects such as sociology, psychology, writing and French. She plans on receiving her Bachelor's of Arts in French Studies to help her move forward receiving her Bachelor of Education in her future years.
Simonetta plans on becoming an intermediate level teacher. She has always had a passion for helping students learn, as she has tutored for Tutor Tots in past years. She wants students to be able to learn comfortably and confidently. She hopes to inspire children to do their best and to reach for their goals, even if something seems hard.
Simonetta understands how struggling in a certain subject can be very frustrating and wants to help students have a more positive outlook on their learning experience!
Ben O
Ben is currently in his third year of undergrad studies at Queen's University. He is in the Concurrent Education program, majoring in History and minoring in English. During his time at Queen's, Ben has earned a place on the Dean's List (2020-Present). He plans on being an elementary or high school teacher after graduating.
Over the last many years, Ben has worked with children in a variety of educational and volunteer settings. He has been a youth soccer coach, summer camp counsellor, and tutor. Ben has also worked three summers at a childcare centre in his hometown, which were very enjoyable and rewarding experiences.
Ben's goal is to have fun with his students while also learning skills and gaining confidence.
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All children need is a little help, a little hope,
and people who believe in them.