Barrie South
Tutoring

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 the Oxford Learning Centres in Ancaster and Barrie South, we are fully committed to making a lasting difference in these communities and believe that children are our 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.

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 utilizes the experience he gained to manage a variety of business projects including multiple Oxford Learning Centres, as well as in his current position as Vice President of Continental Cosmetics.

Jake is a self-proclaimed sports fanatic, both amateur and professional.  He both plays and coaches 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 Oxford Learning Ancaster and Barrie South.

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 within our Oxford Learning Centers to ensure that all children reach their full potential!”
Jake

Lisa Carey

Education Director

Through my ten years working with the Town of Newmarket Recreation and Culture department I worked with diverse families and varied age groups, teaching swimming lessons, lifeguarding, and then supervising and managing younger staff members. I also worked with the Canadian Ski Patrol, and was an active member for 3 winters, both in administration, and as an instructor.  All of these experiences led me to follow my dreams to become an educator and pursue my teaching career.  I started this journey at Georgian College, where I obtained my diploma in Developmental Service Work. I then went to Lakehead University to obtain my Bachelor of Arts and Science degree. This confirmed my decision to develop a career in Education and I applied to Niagara University, where I obtained my Masters of Science in Education with a focus on (Early Childhood and Childhood Education). I worked in many different schools both in the US and Canada. Working with children from diverse backgrounds and demographics made me a more well-rounded person. Upon graduating I decided to go back to school again, completing my Adult Education Certification through the College of Educators.

As the Education Director at Oxford Learning Barrie South, I hope to share my experiences and passion for education and learning to encourage our students and their families. As part of the Oxford Learning leadership team, I look forward to the relationships to be built and the celebration of each students success.

Jessica MacMillan

Education Co-ordinator

As a lifelong history buff, I have always been fascinated by the unknown. This has inspired a passion for learning and, in turn, a passion for teaching. I started working with kids as a camp counselor for the City of Barrie Day Camps. I enjoyed this role so much and continued to work in camps for seven summers.

My love for great literature and and my intense interest in history have inspired my desire for lifelong learning and teaching.

My first taste of teaching was as a tutor and with this I found a love of inspiring a passion for learning. I graduated from the University of Guelph with a Bachelor of Arts in English and History. I then went on to Queen’s University to obtain an education degree with an emphasis in the Intermediate and Senior divisions. I am a member of the Ontario College of Teachers with experience as a private tutor, EA, Program Instructor and Teacher. 

I have been teaching at Oxford Learning since October 2016 and I have enjoyed building a rapport with the great students and staff that make up our Oxford Learning family. I have recently accepted a supply position with the Simcoe School Board which has facilitated the need to change my role at Oxford Learning.

As the Education Co-Ordinator, I am able to continue my work with the amazing people I have met through Oxford Learning Barrie South while following my goal to be accepted to the board full time. I believe in the importance of teaching students how to learn in a way that works for them. As a continued part of the Oxford Learning leadership team, I am committed to ensuring that the time our students spend with us is productive while maintaining a focus on the building of self-esteem, self-motivation skills, and intellectual growth.  

Kristy Ferguson

Education Coordinator

From a young age I knew I wanted to do something that would help people and teaching was at the top of my list! I really enjoy working with children and youth and am enthusiastic about sharing in the learning process. I graduated from The University of Guelph with a Bachelor of Arts Honours (Studio Art and English) and Nipissing University’s Schulich School of Education with a Bachelor of Education. I have my Primary, Junior, Intermediate and Special Education Qualifications.

Shortly after I received my Bachelor of Education, I moved to London, England, to pursue further experience in the teaching field. I spent 3 months supply teaching various ages and the rest of my year and a half there teaching grade 4 and traveling Europe. I learned a great deal in that time and really expanded my understanding and skills as a teacher.

When I am not teaching, I often spend time running, biking, hiking, or getting involved in a sport. I also love cooking, baking and finding a cozy corner at home or in a coffee shop to get in some fun fiction or non-fiction reading time to feed my brain.

I really see the importance and benefit of the Oxford Learning methodology and am happy to be a part of a program that not only helps students with any challenges they may be facing in school but also on the best practices of how to learn and retain information. I find it a great joy and honour to be helping others to reach their fullest 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.”

Camille McKeown

Teacher

My passion for teaching began because of my sister, Kelsey. Kelsey is diagnosed with a mental disability. Throughout her years in school, a community was created for her that allowed her to learn in an inclusive and safe environment. My dedication to become a teacher was prompted by my desire to provide to my students the same atmosphere that teachers and Educational Assistants created for my sister.

I attended Lakehead University in Thunder Bay to obtain my Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education degrees. I studied to become a teacher of the intermediate and senior divisions. After completing a teaching placement in a younger division, I decided to acquire the qualifications to teach the primary and junior divisions as well. Moving to Thunder Bay was a great experience, being able to see the vast landscape that Northern Ontario has to offer was an opportunity to spend time outdoors. Living in this part of Ontario allowed me to gain a new interest in hiking.   

After Teacher’s College, I decided to move to England to teach. In England, I taught a Year 5 class. At this time, my interests changed to focusing on junior division classes and creating a safe and inclusive environment. I developed a curiosity for mathematics, specifically number awareness and place value. Another interest I developed was working on building children’s vocabulary, particularly in encouraging children to become excited and enthusiastic about reading.  

As a child, I attended Oxford Learning. I was an Oxford Learning student all through my primary years. Now, as I start my journey as a teacher at this learning centre, I look forward to using the Oxford Learning methodology to help students find success just as I did. I am excited to be a part of a fun, yet rewarding system that changes students’ lives for the better.

Erin Spicer

Teacher

For as long as I can remember, I have always had a huge passion for math and science. From early high school onwards, I offered to help those around me and tutored anyone from grades 5 to 12.

I graduated from Lakehead University with my Honours Bachelor of Science with a double major in biology and chemistry, and was a first class standing graduate. After university, I had the amazing opportunity to travel to the United Kingdom and become a math teaching assistant for a Catholic school in Northampton.

During my time at this school, I worked with students with many learning disabilities, including dyslexia, dyscalculia, autism and behavioural issues. I worked with students both one-to-one and/or in small groups during or after school. I have also had the privilege of working with a very highly experienced and creative staff, which I believe has helped me develop a new range of skills to help further my teaching abilities.

I personally understand the benefits of hard work and the importance in finding an individual passion for learning, and I am committed to helping each student I work with to attain theirs, all with a smile!

Michael Quigg

Teacher: Specialty High School Math

When I was still in high school and considering what career would be right for me, I had several really impactful teachers that not only helped me to learn, but also made a huge difference in my life. Seeing the impact they were able to make really helped to spark my interest in teaching, my passion for lifelong learning, and how I can really make a difference through education.

I attended Queen’s University in Kingston for both my Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Education. My teaching subjects are physics, math and science and I am qualified to teach in the Intermediate and Senior divisions. I currently am a certified member of the Ontario College of Teachers and have taken several additional qualifications courses to become a more effective educator.

In the past, I have worked as a math and science tutor and YMCA day camp counselor in Collingwood. For the past two summers, I have worked as an instructor with the University of Toronto Engineering Outreach delivering STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) enrichment workshops and week-long programs on artificial intelligence, crime scene forensics and mathematics.