A+ Teaching Staff
Teaching excellence is the criteria at Aardvark Learning Academy.  All Aardvark Instructors are experienced and recognized members of professional teaching organizations such as the Ontario College of Teachers.  Several hold additional Special Education qualifications that allow us to offer Accelerated Learning Programs.  

A+ Instructor / Owner
Name:  Dr Jeff Hawkins
Ontario College of Teachers #509341, TESL Ontario #T160152
Role at Aardvark:  
​Director of Studies
Specialize in:  K-12 English, ESL-IELTS, Academic Writing & Special Education
Education:  Brock University (1998), Griffith University (2003; 2010), Advanced TESOL Diploma (2016)
Tutoring:  Mon, Thurs, Sat

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A+ Instructor K-11
Name:  Ms Carly Crosina
​Ontario College of Teachers #654611
Specialize in:  
K-11 Math, English & Special Education 
Education:  Nipissng University, Bachelor of Education (2014)​
Tutoring:  At Home & Barrie Public Library ​

A+ Instructor K-12
Name:  Ms Shyla Latour
​Ontario College of Teachers #673095
Specialize in:  
K-12 Math, English & Special Education 
Education:  Lakehead University, Bachelor of Concurrent Education (2016) 
Tutoring:  At Home & Online ​

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A+ Spanish Instructor
Name:  Mrs Jessica Cortes
Nationality:  Mexican 
Role at Aardvark:  Spanish Instructor 
Specialize in:  Spanish Culture & Language Teaching
Education:  Bachelor’s Degree in Language Interpretation and Translation (2010); Inter Centro de Estudios Superiores, Mexico
Tutoring:  At home and Barrie Public Library

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A+ Instructor Japanese / Owner
Name:  Mrs Kayo Arima Hawkins
Role at Aardvark:  Co-Founder & Japanese Instructor 
Specialize in:  Japanese Culture & Language Teaching
Education:  International Christian University (2006), Tokyo, Japan
Tutoring:  At Home & Barrie Public Library

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A+  Primary Specialist K-6
Name:  Mrs Catherine Hannon, M.Ed, Master of Education
OCT#163737 Retired  
Role at Aardvark:  Instructor K-6 
Specialize in:  Primary Math & English, Reading Specialist & Special Education Specialist
Education:  York University, Bachelor of Arts & Bachelor of Education (1979); University of Toronto, Masters of Education (1987)
Tutoring:  Mon, Tues, Wed & Sat

A+ Instructor K-12 
Name:  Mr Justin Veenstra 
​Ontario College of Teachers #614840
Specialize in:  
Academic English, Shakespeare, Math & Special Education 
Education:  University of Windsor, Bachelor of Education (2011)
Tutoring:  At Home & Online ​

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A+ Instructor Academic Math Grades 11-12 
Name:  Mr Sharon Shaji, Master of Science, Physics 
Specialize in:  
Academic Maths, Analytical Geometry, Calculus, Functions & Physics 
Education:  Research Analysis Post Graduate, Georgian College (2018); Masters of Science Physics, St Stephens College - Kerala India (2016)
Tutoring:  Barrie Public Library & Online

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A+ Japanese Instructor
Name:  Mrs Tomoko Miyazaki Sensei
Role at Aardvark:  Japanese Instructor 
Specialize in:  Japanese Culture & Language Teaching
Education:  Oberlin University (2004), Tokyo, Japan; Sendagaya Japanese Language Institute (2007), Tokyo, Japan. 
Tutoring:  Tuesday & Thursday 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

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A+ Instructor K-8​
Name:  Mr Steve Murphy 
Ontario College of Teachers # 677994     
Specialize in:  Math, English & Special Education K-8
Education:  Bachelor of Education, Lakehead University (2016) 
Tutoring:  Tuesdays 4:30-6:00 only.

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A+ Instructor Advanced Math & Physics Grades 9-12
Name:  Mr Darian Vander Veen
Specialize in:  
Algebra,  Calculus, Functions; Physics
Education:  University of Waterloo, Bachelor of Science - Physics  
Tutoring:  Online only 

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A+ Korean Instructor
Name:  Mrs Heajin Cho 
Role at Aardvark:  Korean Instructor 
Specialize in:  Korean Culture & Language Teaching
Education:  Sejong University, Bachelor of Arts (2004) Seoul, Korea; Hanguk University of Foreign Studies, Korean Language Instruction (2009), Seoul Korea
Tutoring:  Monday & Thursday