St. Thomas
Tutoring

Jennifer Weldrick

Owner / Centre Director (On Maternity Leave)

Hello! My name is Jen, and I’m the proud owner and Centre Director at Oxford Learning St. Thomas.

I grew up in London, Ontario, and completed my Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education at Western University. I started working at the centre as a Beyond Tutoring teacher in 2009.

Initially, I had my sights set on becoming a classroom teacher and even worked as an occasional teacher for TVDSB for several years. As I worked at Oxford Learning in various roles, I learned more about the Oxford Learning Difference and quickly fell in love with Oxford Learning’s philosophy and programs! I realized that my dream job was right in front of me and I purchased the St. Thomas location in 2015.

I consider myself incredibly fortunate to love what I do so much. I am passionate about helping children learn and leading them to recognize their own potential. Watching our students’ self-confidence grow alongside their academic ability is so rewarding!

In my spare time, I love to spend time with my husband and our two cats, Link and Little Mac. I also love to read, bake, and drink coffee!

“Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice, and most of all, love of what you are doing” - Pele

Kathy Naylor

Education Director / Acting Centre Manager

Hello! My name is Kathy, and I am the Education Director at Oxford Learning St. Thomas.

Being involved in the nurturing and education of children has been my passion for many years. My sights were set on a teaching career when I graduated from Western University with first a Bachelor of Arts (Visual Arts major) and then a Bachelor of Education. I taught in a collection of private school classrooms before I became a staff member here at Oxford Learning.

My husband and I are parents to four children and were also foster parents for a decade. Most recently, we have been thrilled with the addition of three beautiful granddaughters to our family. Spending time with our special gang is both a priority and a joy in our lives. My husband and I share a love for the education of children. He was also a teacher and then spent a number of years as an elementary school principal before he retired. We work together in Children’s Ministry leadership and teaching at our church in London.

In my spare time I love walking, sewing, drawing, craft-making and reading. My husband and I are theatre fans - stage and screen - and we very much enjoy visiting various restaurants.

Being part of the team at our Oxford Learning Centre allows me to continue to pour into young lives. Playing a part in changing those lives by building learning skills and confidence is a fabulously gratifying experience. I am proud to teach the Oxford Learning Way—it is an amazing program that really works!

“Each life is made up of mistakes and learning, waiting and growing, practising patience and being persistent.” -Billy Graham

Megan Griffith

Education Coordinator / Advantage Teacher

Salut! My name is Megan and I have been working at Oxford Learning for several years now. I graduated from the concurrent education program at Wilfrid Laurier University with a double major in psychology and contemporary studies. I have a minor in French with the help of Université Sainte-Anne in Nova Scotia. I also have part one of a teaching specialization in French. I am currently taking a refresher course online in high school physics.

I worked as an occasional teacher for a year before getting a position teaching core French at Forest Park P.S. in St. Thomas. I was in that role for several years before an unfortunate medical situation meant I had to give up teaching in a classroom. Oxford Learning gave me back my passion; allowing me to teach once again. French is my first love but while at Oxford Learning, I have discovered how wonderful and challenging it is to teach math and science. I like the many different ways to teach math and I get excited when I am able to reach those students for whom traditional methods have failed.

I am the proud fur-mom to one kitty and two pups. I have a (tiny) home business creating and selling quilts. I love all things related to Harry Potter. I am always trying to learn new things and take on challenges.

“It matters not what someone is born, but what they grow to be” -Albus Dumbledore

Shelby Stevens

Beyond Tutoring Teacher

Hi! My name is Shelby. I am an Oxford Learning teacher and supply teacher for the Thames Valley District School Board. I graduated from Laurentian University in 2015 with Bachelors degrees in Arts and Education. After graduating, I left my hometown of Dorchester and taught English for a year in South Korea. Teaching English in rural Korea was an amazing experience that helped me become a more patient, creative, and confident teacher.

After I returned home in the fall of 2016, I became an Oxford Learning teacher! I love working at Oxford Learning St. Thomas because it gives me the opportunity to work with amazing children and co-workers. I love having small class sizes because it allows me to get to know my students better individually and to determine what learning strategies work best for them.

In my free time, I enjoy reading, spending time with my friends and family, and playing with my pets. I also love traveling because it teaches me about the world and allows me to experience how other people live.

“Students don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care!” -anonymous

Melissa Legg

Beyond Tutoring / Advantage Teacher

Hi! My name is Melissa and I have been working with Oxford Learning since May 2018.

I graduated from Lakehead University in 2018 with a degree in History and Education. I love coming to work at Oxford Learning! The team of teachers here are extremely passionate and caring. One of my favourite parts of this job is being able to get to know each of the students and working one on one with them.

“Tell me and I forget. Teach me I remember. Involve me and I learn.” -Benjamin Franklin

Maya Hirschman

Beyond Tutoring and Advantage Teacher

Bio Coming Soon!

Bill Vanderhyden

Beyond Tutoring Teacher

Hi! My name is Bill Vanderhyden and I joined Oxford Learning in March 2019. 

I taught for 34 years in Elgin County schools for the London District Catholic School Board. Most of my teaching was Grades 7 and 8. I’m planning to continue supply teaching for a while.

I am enjoying the beginning of my retirement from full-time teaching and all the free time I have now! 

I’m also having fun spending a few hours a week at Oxford Learning. Besides, I’m already bald so there’s no more hair to pull out!

“Just make sure to show up on time and try not to embarrass the rest of us!”

      - Centre director Jennifer Weldrick 

Emma Wilkins

Beyond Tutoring / Advantage Teacher

Hi! My name is Emma and I have been working at Oxford Learning since February 2019! 

I have an Honours Specialization BSc Kinesiology, and a Bachelor of Education, Intermediate/Senior. I love teaching because it allows me to help students realize their potential! 

"Good, better, best. Never let it rest. 'Till the good gets better and and better gets best!"

Michelle Dengate

En Francais Teacher / Beyond Tutoring Teacher

Bio Coming Soon! 

Erika Crowley

Beyond Tutoring Teacher

Hello! My name is Erika Crowley and I am a teacher with Oxford Learning as well as an elementary and secondary supply teacher with the Thames Valley District School Board.

 I received a Bachelor of Arts from Western University in 2014 followed by my Bachelor of Education in 2015. After graduating, I moved to England where I taught high school English, Drama, and Sociology for two years. When I came back to Canada, I got involved with Oxford Learning to gain teaching experience alongside my work supply teaching.

I love working with the students at our centre! I enjoy working with students of various ages and helping them learn and grow as well as gain confidence in areas where they have previously struggled. I enjoy being a positive part of a student’s day and hope they leave each lesson at Oxford Learning with a smile on their face.

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.” ― Dr. Seuss

Don Naylor

Beyond Tutoring Teacher

Greetings! Thanks for stopping by to find out more about me. My name is Don and although I am relatively new to Oxford Learning, I have been involved in the education field for more years than I care to admit. Currently, in addition to my Oxford Learning Centre role, I am working as a practicum faculty advisor for the Schulich School of Education at Nipissing University.

I’ve been a teacher and/or an administrator in a number of private and public educational facilities at both the elementary and secondary levels. I am a retired member of the Ontario
College of Teachers with training to teach from kindergarten to grade 12. I have Bachelor’s Degrees in History (Honours), Education and Educational Leadership. Additionally, I have a
Master of Arts Degree in Education and additional qualifications in Special Education, English as a Second Language and Educational Law.

In my spare time, I enjoy walking nature trails, watching all kinds of movies, singing in a community choir, and volunteering at my church. I find I am busier now that I am retired than I ever was when I was working full time. I wouldn’t have it any other way!

It is a privilege to be a team member of Oxford Learning St. Thomas. I believe in this program and its methodology and have seen its positive results firsthand. When we partner together in an informed, intentional way, our collaboration can promote exciting changes.

"Collaboration is multiplication!" - John Maxwell

Micaela Hilborn

Beyond Tutoring Teacher

Hello! I recently joined Oxford Learning and I look forward to being a part of the team. I graduated from the University of Guelph in 2016 with a degree in Psychology and Family/Child Studies. Afterwards, Iattended teacher’s college at Western University where I graduated with a specialization in Advanced Studies in the Psychology of Achievement, Inclusion and Mental Health.

I was inspired to teach through seeing the profound impact that my grandparents had on their students during their careers as elementary teachers. I love helping my students reach that ‘aha’ moment and become confident learners. Working in the small class sizes offered at Oxford Learning, I can get to know my students even better and create a learning atmosphere that works best for them. I am also a strong believer in lifelong learning, so I am excited to learn along with my students and develop my teaching craft.

In my free time I enjoy drawing, painting, reading, baking, and spending quality time with my family, friends, and pets.

Debbie Fischer

Jill of All Trades

Hi! My name is Debbie, and I do a little bit of everything around Oxford Learning St. Thomas! Most often, you’ll find me keeping the centre sparkling clean and organized. I also volunteer my time to help out with various events and Oxford Learning St. Thomas activities. Everyone at the centre knows me as “Jen’s Mom!”

In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family - especially my grandchildren! I also enjoy snuggling with my two kittens, C.J. and Dusty.

“No matter how many mistakes you make or how slow you progress, you are still way ahead of everyone who isn’t trying.” -Tony Robbins