Barrie South
Tutoring

Nadia Fitzgerald

Education Director

Nadia has been involved with Oxford Learning for many years. From 2001-2006, she was the Education Director at the Barrie North centre. She then helped to open and manage a new Sylvan Learning Centre in Vaughan, ON, where she stayed for 2 years. In 2009, not wanting to commute anymore and missing the Oxford Learning program, Nadia, and her dad, Vito, decided to open the Oxford Learning Barrie South centre. At the end of 2013, Vito was ready to retire and they decided to sell the Centre to Jake and Laurey. For the past 7 years, Nadia has been working as the Executive Director of the Oro-Medonte Chamber of Commerce. She lives in Oro-Medonte with her husband and 9-year-old daughter. She is extremely excited to be back at Oxford Learning Barrie South and is looking forward to working with everyone.

Jake Vella

Co-Owner

Co-owner, Jake Vella studied business and graduated from Western University before completing a Human Resource Management Graduate Program through Georgian College. He began his career in the field of Human Resources, specializing in training and program implementation and moved into Management in a very diverse and fast-paced industry.

Jake utilized the experience he gained to manage a variety of business projects including the ownership of three Oxford Learning Centres, as well as in his current position as President of Continental Cosmetics.

Jake is a self-proclaimed sports fanatic, both amateur and professional. He has both played and coached Basketball, Baseball, Ball Hockey, Football and more. Through the ownership of Oxford Learning franchises, Jake has been able to realize the dream of combining his love of managing a business, with his love of helping children to reach their full potential.

Currently, partnered with his mother Laurey, Jake is proud to be co-owner of the Oxford Learning Barrie South location. The Oxford Learning philosophy, which uses a cognitive approach to learning, is in line with Jake’s belief that every child is unique in how they learn.

“It is my mission to assemble the finest teams, and to provide the ideal learning environment to ensure that all children reach their full potential!”

Laurey Fawcett

Centre Director/Co-Owner

As Centre Director for the Barrie South location, I am very proud of the incredible team we have assembled and the work that they do. In partnership with my eldest son Jake as co-owners of Oxford Learning Barrie South, we are fully committed to making a lasting difference in our home community and believe that children are the future.

For over 30 years I primarily worked in the field of Sales and Marketing, including 18 years as a Corporate Trainer within various industries. In addition, I am grateful for the opportunities I have had including; hosting my own cable program with Shaw television; publishing editorials, poetry and fictional works for several publications including a monthly columnist position with Edge magazine. I have also run my own event planning and interior design consultancy business and have enjoyed many opportunities to develop as a successful entrepreneur.

While raising three children through University, I spent their infant years working from home providing care for children with special needs through the Children’s Aid Society. I have a passion for volunteering and have given time to numerous organizations over the years; some of which include Habitat for Humanity, Look Good Feel Better, The Salvation Army, and Wellsprings Cancer Centre.

I love to travel, cook, and entertain but most of all I am fiercely committed to helping our students develop to their highest potential.

Jim Vaillancourt

Teacher

I was raised in Penetanguishene, and have a strong affinity for, and appreciation of, the natural beauty and history of Simcoe County and the Great Lakes region. After obtaining a Bachelor of Mathematics degree from the University of Waterloo, I worked in Business, Finance and the non-profit sector. 

Having experienced the beauty of Mathematics, I developed a desire to share this with the next generation and had the privilege in recent years of realizing this goal. I have taught mathematics, accounting, economics, financial planning, and business administration to college students in both official languages. Working with young learners has made me a devotee of Oxford Learning’s approach to cognitive learning.

My pastimes include reading (I believe in lifelong learning) and sports. I have coached youngsters and list my favourite leagues in order of preference as follows: CFL, MLS, NFL, MLB, NHL. While this may be contrary to the expectation of those who would rank NHL first, I believe everyone is unique and should be respected for their individuality, especially students. I admit that growing up in Southern Ontario has instilled in me the desire to see a successful incarnation of the Maple Leafs, and I never despair. As the song reminds us, “The sun’ll come out tomorrow.”

Jason Ierullo-Gerrior

Teacher

As a young boy I have always wanted to be a teacher due to the impressive role models I encountered. I have a few special teachers that I remember to this day. My Grade 3 teacher, who was kind to me and her birthday was the day before mine. My grade 6 teacher always kept things exciting and interesting. My grade 9 math teacher who I thought was just amazing at math. He is the reason I love math so much. My grade 10 shop teacher who had a ton of energy and was always on top of safety. To this day I remember the picture of the finger he had on his desk. Finally my Grade 11 English teacher who taught effectively with a more relaxed demeanor.

Becoming a teacher was a second career choice for me. Before my current career I was in the hospitality industry where at a young age I started off as a busboy at Nottawasaga Inn and worked my way up to management in the Barrie Ontario area. After having a family I did not want to work evenings and weekends anymore so I went to school to get my undergrad then my teaching degree.

Starting in my mid-30s at Laurentian University (at Georgian College), I completed a three-year degree in Anthropology. I then stayed for one more year to complete my Bachelor of Education degree. I am currently with the Simcoe County District School Board teaching grade 5. I am certified in Primary, Junior, and Intermediate. I also have additional qualifications in Special Education, part one, and Kindergarten, part one, with additional basic qualifications in General Science.

I am excited to work with the Oxford Learning Barrie South staff and students. I think it will be a fun, fulfilling, and challenging opportunity to use my knowledge and expertise while gaining new insight.