Bolton
Tutoring

Lesley S.

Education Director

As the Education Director at Oxford Learning Centre - Bolton, my never-ending goal is to help your child succeed in all aspects of their life including, but not solely limited to, their academics. Here at Oxford Learning, we work diligently to not only help with concepts required for their school curriculum, but also skills, strategies, and habits that they can take with them for the rest of their school careers and into their future professions!

I believe that you will find me a passionate and dedicated educator who considers every student capable of succeeding, no matter their individual learning abilities when they are able to be in a learning environment that is comforting, stimulating, and suitable for their unique needs and talents.

Throughout my experiences as an educator, I have had the opportunity to teach and interact with a diverse group of students ranging from pre-school to adult learners, which has helped to enhance my own personal teaching techniques and instructional methods. I have also always enjoyed collaborating with colleagues and staff to develop lessons and methods of instruction that are best suited to each student’s particular gifts and requirements. I truly believe that we are all lifelong learners!

Aside from loving to see students accomplish goals they previously thought were unachievable, I also enjoy and appreciate communicating with parents and students’ teachers as we are all a part of each child’s “Success Team.” Over the years, I have seen the many positive effects of having open and consistent communication between all members of this team!

One of my greatest passions as an educator is instilling my love for literacy in my students. I love helping students think more deeply and critically about texts, as well as helping them to see the value in course texts they are not initially drawn to.

Outside of Oxford Learning, you will find me either at an arena in the winter playing broomball or at a baseball park scorekeeping and cheering on my husband in the summer. I also enjoy hosting get-togethers with my friends and family, cooking and baking, watching movies, and doing a variety of crafts.

Favourite Quote: “Words are, in my not-so-humble opinion, our most inexhaustible source of magic. Capable of both inflicting injury, and remedying it.” -  Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore

Favourite Book: The Book Thief - Markus Zusak

Amanda F.

Intermediate/Senior Coach

I have currently just completed my Honours Bachelor of Science (HBSc) degree at the University of Toronto, and I look forward to continuing my university career by achieving my ultimate goal of becoming an educator. Personally, I always strive to reach my fullest potential, through challenging myself within everything I do. Throughout my experience at Oxford Learning, I have enjoyed the challenge that such a dynamic learning environment has presented to me in my role as a coach. Working consistently with the students provides the opportunity to follow their individual learning process in its entirety. With that being said, witnessing a student’s academic success is not only rewarding to the student, but also to myself.

As an individual who has recently experienced the education system, I have had a first-hand account of the positive and negative aspects that exist within it. Throughout many instances, I have recognized problems that exist, such as the disregard of individual learning needs through generalized teaching methods, large classroom sizes, and a fast-paced curriculum, just to name a few. These aspects of the system ignore individual needs, thus hindering a child’s ability to grow and reach their full potential. Through working at Oxford Learning, I believe I am supported and given the tools to address these issues, while truly making a difference in a student’s life.

Oxford Learning Centre’s approach to tutoring is exceptional. It not only focusses on the standard school curriculum but also addresses fundamental issues with learning, while creating specialized programs based on the particular strengths and weaknesses that a given student has. The skills learned at Oxford Learning Centre not only benefit students with schoolwork but are essential lifelong skills that will help them in many aspects of their lives for years to come.

As a person, I would say that I am a well-rounded individual. I enjoy being creative, and often like painting and drawing in my spare time. I am also a classically trained pianist and often play for my own enjoyment in my spare time. As a child, I was very athletic and participated in competitive dance, swimming, and soccer. Personally, I would describe myself as being a very approachable, patient, enthusiastic, receptive, and an understanding person. As an Oxford Learning coach, I promote a welcoming, fun, but equally productive environment for my students to learn in. Although I have high expectations for my students, I personally strive to meet my own high expectations that I place on myself. I am truly committed to continuously improving my coaching abilities in order to better suit the needs of the students.

Favourite Quote: “Never look down on anybody unless you’re helping them up” – Jessie Jackson

Favourite Book: Harry Potter Series

Antonella C.

Intermediate/Senior Coach

What I love most about being an Oxford Learning coach is the opportunity to be a part of a student’s educational journey. I not only get to help students in an academic aspect, but also get to provide the necessary foundation to allow the students to have a positive attitude and a high level of self-confidence. Oxford Learning provides me with the opportunity to get first-hand experience working with many different students, which goes hand in hand with my future goal and passion of being a science educator. Oxford Learning truly creates a comfortable, happy, and calm learning space for students and teachers to expand their knowledge and work in this facility. Oxford Learning is different from other tutoring centres by effectively creating a space that puts the students’ voices up front. This centre strives to understand the missing gaps of a student’s learning abilities, which allows them to in turn, create a program specific for that individual to prepare the student for success.

I applied to Oxford Learning first and foremost due to their high credibility. Their philosophy goes hand in hand with my own; we want to provide the student with the essentials to be successful academically and to really boost their self-confidence through a comfortable and safe learning environment. From my interview process to my in-class experience with the students, I have had such a wonderful time working at Oxford Learning with other teachers and a diverse group of individuals. As a tutor, a person, and a future science educator, people would define me as kind and compassionate. I would also be described as someone who has a lot of patience and is very welcoming and friendly.

Thus far, my biggest accomplishment is the completion of my undergraduate thesis in antimicrobial research. My hobbies include singing and playing soccer. Music gives me the freedom to relieve stress and to express my emotions in a different way. I also love to read fictional romance and drama novels. My favourite book to date is called The Map That Leads to You by J.P. Monninger. This book is about freedom, love, and truly living life to the fullest with those that mean most to you. It has shown me that society’s norm regarding how to live life is not always how life is meant to be lived! I have used the meaning behind this novel in my personal life and towards my students by giving them the freedom of speech and allowing them to make decisions about what they want out of their life. In addition, we can create goals that we can accomplish together.

My favourite quote is “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken” by Oscar Wilde. In my younger years, I tried to be a lot like everyone else and to always do things that made everyone else happy. This quote truly aligns with the person I am today. I have really come to love the person I am and who I am meant to be in this world. Every individual is their own person that adds a beautiful, yet unique puzzle piece to the world.

Favourite Quote: “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” – Oscar Wilde

Favourite Book: The Map That Leads You – J.P. Monninger

Ashley L.

Junior/Intermediate Coach

My favourite part about being an Oxford Learning coach is being able to see growth in the students I teach and knowing that I was able to contribute to it by helping them develop skills that they can use in the future. Getting to know each student and all of their learning styles helps me to further develop my own teaching skills as well, by taking different approaches based on what works best for every individual learner.

An important difference between Oxford Learning and other tutoring centres is the small group setting, which allows students to receive the help they need in a more personal and comfortable environment. This gives them the knowledge that all of their questions will be heard, and an appropriate answer will be given in a way that works for each student based on their individual learning style. Oxford Learning’s personalized lesson plans provide relevant material to target every student’s weaknesses and further develop their strengths.

I applied to Oxford Learning because I have worked as a tutor in the past and I strongly value the ability to become part of a person’s learning experience. I love to teach and work with other people in friendly and welcoming environments like Oxford Learning’s. People would describe me as outgoing, caring, dedicated and understanding. I enjoy seeing others succeed and hearing about their accomplishments.

My biggest accomplishment would be when my eleventh-grade law teacher selected me amongst a few other students to attend a mock bail hearing competition at the Brampton Courthouse. This was an honour because the majority of my class expressed their interest in the competition; however, there were a limited number of spots available and I felt privileged to be chosen, considering I hope to pursue a career in law after high school.

Outside of Oxford Learning, I love singing and playing guitar, especially around the campfire at my cottage. I love being outdoors by the lake in the summer and going skiing in the winter. Whenever I am given the opportunity, I enjoy traveling and I hope to see more of the world as I get older. I’m not much of an athlete, but I love spending time at the gym, especially when I’m feeling “off” because it always puts me in a better mood. I love reading, especially poetry books, and I’ll never say no to an adventure with my friends, or spending time with my dog.

Favourite Quote: “The darkest dark does not fear the brightest light.” – An excerpt from “Little Note: 33” in Robert M. Drake’s Beautiful Chaos.

Favourite Book: Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children – Ransom Riggs

Christina N.

Junior/Intermediate/French Coach

For me the most amazing part about being an Oxford Learning coach is being able to help students understand concepts that have confused them for so long. There is always an “Aha” moment that students experience when they finally understand a topic they have found difficult for so long and being able to see how exciting that is for them is truly a rewarding experience. I also love that not only are the students learning from me, but I am also learning from my students, learning to look at concepts in new ways, and also learning new tips and tricks for topics they have learned either from other coaches, teachers at school, or friends and parents.

I applied to Oxford Learning because teaching is a passion of mine and I have a love of learning. Before working at Oxford Learning, I taught as a swim instructor for three years, which helped me discover this love, and Oxford Learning has only helped it grow even further. As I wish to be a teacher when I graduate from university, Oxford Learning and its incredibly welcoming environment is the perfect place to learn how to be a better teacher, as well as a better student.

Oxford Learning is different from other tutoring centers because we do not only focus on work being done in the classroom in the moment. We go back and build up the fundamental skills that are necessary for students to be able to succeed on their own, often working on individual strategies for learning instead of simply walking a student through the steps of specific tasks. The personalized programs and small ratio environment assures that each and every student will be getting exactly the help they need. At Oxford Learning we also focus on organization, so we teach our students the importance of simple habits like putting the date on notes and homework pages, and remembering to hand in homework and assignments on time.

Most people would describe me as someone who is kind and always willing to help. I am always willing to go out of my way to help someone with something they are struggling, which is something that drives my love of teaching. I am also someone who loves to have fun and make jokes, which I try to include in my teaching sessions at Oxford  Learning because I believe that learning should be enjoyable for everyone because the first step to doing well at school is to love learning.

Outside of Oxford Learning, I can often be found at the soccer field coaching, playing, or supporting my brothers in the summer, and in the winter, I can be found on the ski hills with my friends and family snowboarding to my heart’s content. I also enjoy reading, drawing, travelling, watching movies, and listening to music. My biggest accomplishment so far in my life was being accepted into the competitive concurrent education program at Glendon college, York University. I worked incredibly hard all four years of high school, earning a triple honours award in grade 11 and graduating as an Ontario scholar in grade 12 - all while volunteering in schools and completing co-ops to build up my resumé. To know that all the time and effort I had put into my studies had paid off when I was accepted into a program that only accepts 50 of over 500 applicants meant the world to me.

Favourite Quote: “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts” – Winston Churchill

Favourite Book: Clockwork Princess – Cassandra Clare

Denece C.

Intermediate/Senior Coach

The best part about being an Oxford Learning coach is that I am able to be a part of a student’s educational experience, and being able to help build their confidence, so they can succeed in their future endeavours. Oxford Learning is different than other tutoring centres because it not only helps students in understanding school content, but it also helps the students learn skills and strategies that will help them throughout the rest of their school years.

I applied to Oxford Learning because I like being able to help students understand difficult concepts by explaining them in different ways than what they are used to, so they can be more confident in themselves and their capabilities. Generally, people describe me as a quiet and reserved person who brings a calming effect to all those around me.

My biggest accomplishments are my academic accomplishments in school so far. I enjoy challenging myself and I always encourage my students to push themselves, so they can achieve their highest potential possible. Some of my hobbies outside of Oxford Learning is reading, playing some basketball, and relaxing with my friends and family.

Favourite Quote: “Anything worth doing is worth doing well.”

Favourite Book: The Harry Potter Series – J.K. Rowling

Jenna L.

Junior/Intermediate Coach

What I like most about being an Oxford Learning coach is working in such a supportive and nurturing environment. Every staff member is extremely passionate about improving the academic comprehension of their students and helping them to continuously progress. I believe that Oxford Learning’s “Beyond Tutoring” philosophy and passionate staff are what set it apart from other tutoring centres. Oxford Learning successfully dives deeper into the less successful areas that students find themselves struggling with and builds a core structure and understanding that truly sets students up for success.

I applied to Oxford Learning to immerse myself in an environment with like-minded individuals, where I could help students realize their true potential. I love seeing students build confidence and understanding in areas they previously had not thought they would be able to see success in. People describe me as positive, supportive, and encouraging. I find such pride in helping people grow by giving them the confidence and support they need in order to reach their next level!

My biggest accomplishments so far have been completing my academic studies at both the University of Guelph and Seneca College at York University. I am a strong believer that education sets students up for success in every area of life. It renders them with a multifaceted knowledge base that provides the opportunity of being able to pursue their goals strategically, as well as the privilege to share their knowledge with others along the way. I believe that to continuously learn is to continuously grow, and I seek to learn something every day! When I’m not supporting students at Oxford Learning, I thoroughly enjoy reading, learning new things, being physically active, and spending time with animals!

Favourite Quote: “Just make sure you never do less than your best.” – Walt Disney

Favourite Book: “Love You Forever” – Robert Munsch

Julia P.

Junior/Intermediate/French Coach

Oxford Learning Coaches have a great level of responsibility in shaping the mindset of our future leaders. I enjoy being an Oxford Learning coach because of their unique approach in helping students build strategies to help them succeed in all subject areas. Oxford Learning coaches encourage students to take risks with the help of their coach to guide them which allows students to feel supported in their learning. Oxford Learning also promotes a great environment for coaches by providing additional resources and training in order to best support our students.

Oxford Learning is different than other tutoring centres because of its emphasis on helping students develop strategies as opposed to studying to the test. Oxford Learning focuses on the development of skills that is matched to the pace of the student, as opposed to moving on if the students does not understand the concept after a certain time frame. Being a recent graduate of OISE, I have had five years of practicum teaching experience in classrooms, with Special Education and French Immersion being the most significant. I noticed how students often struggled to ask questions in fear of being made fun of by peers, which leaves them confused and frustrated. Oxford Learning promotes a safe learning environment where students are not afraid to ask questions and can use them to build connections and foster deep learning of the material. Working at Oxford Learning was a great next step for me as I would be able to apply strategies from my studies and experiences to help students and gain new strategies learned here.

My biggest accomplishment was getting accepted into the Concurrent Education Program at the University of Toronto. While doing research during the application process, I discovered that this program only accepted 18 candidates for their French stream, which made it extremely competitive. It would have been easier to apply elsewhere; however, I would persistently study in order to achieve my academic goals. Being a recent graduate of this program helped me develop confidence in my skills, develop resources and strategies to overcome my obstacles and taught me the feeling of fulfilment when achieving your goals.

People describe me as easy to talk to, understanding, and funny. Outside of Oxford Learning I love discovering small cafes and bookstores to enjoy with friends, taking scenic photos, and going on long walks with my family and dogs. After a long hiatus, I am continuing my studies in piano after receiving a certificate from the Royal Conservatory of Music for completing Level 8 Practical and its accompanying theory during high school in hopes of one day receiving my Level 10 certificate.

Favourite Quote: “If you believe it will work out, you’ll see opportunities. If you believe it won’t, you will see obstacles.” – Wayne Dyer

Favourite Book: Candide – Voltaire

Lydia S.

Junior/Intermediate Coach

I love being an Oxford Learning coach because I get to develop confidence in my students and show them their potential when it comes to their academics and personal goals. I love being part of the “Ah-ha” moments and take pride in knowing that I have helped my students understand and discover something new.

Oxford Learning is different than other tutoring centres from the way that the program is set up. Each child is being taught in a low student-to-teacher ratio through a program that has been tailored to the student’s individual learning style and needs. Not only does Oxford Learning pinpoint the student’s area of need, but Oxford Learning also helps develop skills that allow students to critically think about the world around them.

I applied to Oxford Learning because I love to teach and I believe in the program. My teaching philosophies strongly coincide with that of the program's. People would describe me as a very hard working, patient, and approachable person. My biggest accomplishment has been becoming an elementary school teacher for my dream school board and having the opportunity to teach my own class.

When I am not teaching, I love to be outdoors. In the summer I like to travel to different provincial parks in Ontario and camp. I love to hike, be on the water, and sleep under the stars!

Favourite Quote: "Always pass on what you have learned" - Yoda

Favourite Book: The Giving Tree - Shel Silverstein

Morgan B.

Intermediate/Senior Coach

I absolutely love the environment that Oxford Learning provides for both its students and its teachers. I always feel comfortable walking into my place of work, and I know the students do as well. Oxford Learning is not like any other tutoring centre I have come across. It provides students not just with help in their current school curriculum, but it helps them develop life skills that they can take beyond tutoring. I applied to Oxford Learning because of its phenomenal reputation, and because I wanted to help students in more ways than just schooling. I wanted to be an influential figure in the students lives as they go through school and beyond. I really believe that that is what Oxford Learning can provide. 

As a teacher, and as a person in general, people see me as outgoing, confident and kind. My biggest accomplishment so far is starting my own business at the age of 21. Outside of tutoring, I also run my own online health and fitness coaching business. I am currently looking into becoming a certified wellness coach, so I can help others outside the realm of social media. I truly want to make the biggest impact I can with the skills I have. Oxford Learning has allowed me to do that with my math skills, and coaching has allowed me to do that with my background in biochemistry. As a part of my coaching business, I spend at least an hour a day reading and listening to personal development.

Currently, my favourite book is “The Happiness Project” by Gretchen Rubin. I was inspired so much by Rubin’s book that I have decided to start my own happiness project in the New Year. A quote that Rubin wrote as one of her splendid truths is: “Happiness does not always make you feel happy”. This quote really resonates with me because it is a reminder that although I may have to do tasks in life that do not make me happy in the moment, the accomplishment of these tasks will make me happy in the future. I, in turn, use this philosophy with my students as well. This creates a perspective that although class/homework/assignments/projects may not make you happy now, learning the appropriate skills and getting your work done will make you happy in the future.  

Favourite Quote: “Happiness does not always make you feel happy.” – Gretchen Rubin

Favourite Book: The Happiness Project – Gretchen Rubin

Samantha R.

Junior/Intermediate Coach

The thing I love most about being an Oxford Learning coach is the ability to work with youth. As soon-to-be leaders, developing confidence and passion is incredibly important, and being a catalyst for these skills makes me incredibly happy. I also love being able to push students to do their best and achieve their goals, both academically and personally.

Oxford Learning is different from other tutoring centres in a variety of ways. Rather than purely content-based learning, we pride ourselves on developing habits that will take students past the classroom: ones that are applicable in real-world scenarios and will follow them for the rest of their lives. 

After a placement at James Bolton Public School, I realized that I had a passion for working with young students and enriching their education. This experience made me want to apply to Oxford Learning, so I could continue helping youth once my placement was finished. People often describe me as outgoing, positive, and friendly.

My biggest accomplishment was when my Writer’s Craft teacher told me I had written one of the best essays she has ever read by a student. This, coming from one of my favourite teachers, made me incredibly proud.

Outside of Oxford Learning, traveling and spending time in nature. In school, I am a member of the Environment SHSM program, and I have competed in both regional and provincial levels of Envirothon. As for travelling, during the summer of 2018, I will be going to Tanzania for a month to study English and World Issues, as well as volunteer in villages across the country.

Favourite Quote: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” – Nelson Mandela

Favourite Book: The Catcher in the Rye – J.D. Salinger

Katie D.

Intermediate/Senior Coach

Being a coach at Oxford Learning has given me the unique opportunity to work with students more closely and find ways to focus in on individual strengths to support student success. Every student is different, which allows me to try a variety of teaching and learning strategies and discover what ‘clicks’ for that student.

This is exactly why I first applied with Oxford Learning; I love finding ways to develop the necessary academic concepts, organization habits, and countless other skills that ultimately lead to self-confidence and enthusiasm about learning.

Since starting here, one of my favourite things about being a coach is definitely the positive and supportive atmosphere that the Oxford Learning staff and students create. All questions are always welcomed, and challenges are presented at chances to grow rather than something to be scared about.

Others would describe me as hardworking, dedicated, and caring for everyone around me. I truly love seeing other people succeed, and supporting them to do so in any way I can. Apart from completing my university undergraduate degree and teacher’s college education at Queen’s University, one of my biggest accomplishments was being able to watch over 600 of my peers perform in a recital that I organized as the Co-President of Queen’s Dance Club in 2015. Watching all of their hard work over the year come to light was absolutely wonderful, which is the exactly what I love to see from all of my students in the classroom as an educator and at Oxford Learning as a coach.

I grew up being very active in competitive dance for over 15 years, as well as volleyball, and competitive rowing throughout my high school years. Now, my personal interests and hobbies include backcountry camping, hiking, and various water sports whenever I get a chance. I also like to volunteer my time to give back to the community at local schools, as well as with Child and Family Services. I am always listening to music, and love to bake and cook for my family and friends.

Favourite Quote: By Rupi Kaur’s in her book Milk and Honey, “if you were born with the weakness to fall you were born with the strength to rise”.

Favourite Book: Everything is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer

Raylanna R.

Junior/Intermediate Coach

As an Oxford Learning coach, I thoroughly enjoy helping my students to not only understand the material they are learning, but helping them feel absolutely confident in their work and enjoy what they are learning. Hearing them say “Oh, that makes so much sense!” or seeing their face light up like Christmas lights when I’ve explained a subject or topic to them, is the best feeling as an Oxford Learning coach. Not only do I help my students, they help me as well. My students are not the only ones who are learning in each session, because I am learning too. Every student’s brain does not work the same, which means I need to take different approaches to certain topics when I explain them to different students. By doing so, I learn different ways to enhance my teaching abilities and techniques.

Unlike other tutoring centres, Oxford Learning does not just cover the student’s present school curriculum. Oxford Learning works with their students to find the main cause that lead the students to struggle in school. Oxford Learning's teaching style not only helps their students with the root causes of the difficulty they face in school, but it also aids them with lifelong skills they can use in and out of school.

I applied to Oxford Learning because I love helping people understand topics they do not fully grasp and optimize my teaching abilities in French and English, in hopes of potentially following a teaching career. People would describe me as funny, understanding, genuine, and positive.

My biggest accomplishment would be when my soccer coach, who used to be a provincial coach for Ontario, told me that I was one of his strongest players on his U21 woman’s soccer team when I was 16 years old. Considering a year before he told me that, I used to feel like I was always letting my team down because I was not very good. I would do extra fitness on my own time and work as hard as I could during practices, in hopes of getting better. It felt amazing to know my hard work paid off and for someone else, besides my mom, to acknowledge my efforts.

Outside of Oxford Learning, I love playing soccer; I have just finished my 12^th year of playing the beautiful game and plan on continuing playing in the future. I love being in the great outdoors, so camping and playing various sports for fun with friends/family, including volleyball, badminton, ping pong, basketball, and football are a go-to for me. I love hiking with my two dogs, but I will never say no to staying in and cuddling with my two cats.

Favourite Quote: “The two things in life you are in total control over are your attitude and your effort.” – Billy Cox

Favourite Book: The Lying Game Series – Sara Shepard