Our Tutoring Staff

Murray Gartly  
Kindergarten to grade 8- All subjects.

Hello my name is Murray Gartly and I have over 10 years of tutoring experience, mostly tutoring kindergarten to grade 8 in a variety of subjects.  I grew up in Medicine Hat, Alberta and have lived in Victoria for 16 years.  I obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Kinesiology at University of Lethbridge and a Bachelor of Education at University of Calgary.  At the present time, I am an Educational Assistant at Cloverdale Elementary School as well as managing Mr. Murrays Tutoring Studio. My interests are watching sports, movies & t.v shows, listening to music, reading, travelling, and drinking coffee at a local cafe.  My goal as a tutor/educator is to help students develop the skills and strategies for learning in a way that suits their own individual needs  I want to encourage students and motivate them to do the best they can.

Mark Samcoe  
Online Tutor- Kindergarten to grade 12.

Raised in Alberta, Mark has lived in East Asia, the Middle East, and South America.  He has a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Victoria.  When he’s not teaching, he enjoys playing and following tennis, reading, and traveling.  Mark has experience teaching English, Math, and Spanish.  His goal as an educator is for the students to build confidence and motivation to learn.  He enjoys helping his students develop skills, learn tools, and understand the concepts needed to succeed.

Alicia Murray 
KIndergarten to grade 8, Language Arts, Social Studies, Math, and Science/grade 9-12. Language Arts and Social Studies.

Alicia has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Victoria, where she majored in English and minored in Sociology  She is currently in the process of obtaining a certificate of Business Administration from University of Victoria.  Alicia’s hobbies include reading, yoga, traveling, and plants.  Also, she loves swimming, hiking, and the outdoors.  Alicia has over 1 year of tutoring experience and is available to tutor Language Arts and Social Studies for any grade, as well as elementary Math and Science.

Emmanuel Francois
Kindergarten to grade 12.

My name is Emmanuel François (they/them pronouns); I was born and raised in Québec City until I turned eleven, when we moved to British Columbia.  As such, I speak French as well as English.  I studied the sciences in university, specifically biochemistry & microbiology, and got up to a Master’s degree before realising that I by far preferred working with and teaching children.  I taught English as a Foreign Language to children in Japan for over ten years, my experience spanning students of all ages and grade levels.  I even managed to pick up some Japanese language skill along the way.  I returned to Canada to pursue a Bachelor of Education with the goal of becoming a teacher and while I am finalising my degree, I am working in the Greater Victoria School District as an Educational Assistant, where I can work alongside and learn from established teachers. 

I love exploring tabletop and video games that have something unique and unusual to offer; that can provide fresh experiences.  I also enjoy reading, particularly science fiction and fantasy.  I want to see more of the world as well, but travelling further will have to wait a while—I have things to take care of here in Victoria!

Leah Oikawa 
Cave Kindergarten to grade 8, High School Japanese and Social Studies.

Hello there! My name is Leah, and I go by she/her pronouns. I’m born and raised on the island, and wouldn’t have it any other way. I have an associates degree in general arts, and am currently in my 4th year at UVic studying anthropology. I’ve just returned from a semester in Japan, where I studied the language, as well as the culture and history of Kyoto. In my off time I love to spend time with my dog and my partner, visiting hole in the wall restaurants, cooking, and experimenting with new recipes. As a tutor, I want to be encouraging and uplifting to your kids by helping them tackle what they need extra support with, as I know how challenging school can be.

Kylie 
Kindergarten to grade 12.

Hello, my name is Kylie! I am born and raised on Vancouver island and have decided to study close to home at the University of Victoria. I am pursuing a bachelors degree in geography with a minor in environmental studies. In my spare time I enjoy rock climbing, ultimate frisbee and spending time outside. I have been tutoring for 4 years and am very passionate about helping other students reach their academic and personal goals!

Lynn Crust
Kindergarten to Grade 8, all subjects

Hi and welcome! My name is Lynn Crust. I am currently a Grade 2/3 teacher at Cloverdale Traditional School. I was born and raised in Victoria and have been teaching here for over 20 years, both at the high school level and now in elementary school. I attended the University of Victoria for both my degrees; my first degree is a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre and my second is a Bachelor of Education. I also recently completed a 2-year Graduate Diploma through Simon Fraser University, specializing in Inclusive Education. My interests include teaching, singing, reading, watching pro sports, dancing (ballet and contemporary), and spending time with family and friends. As a professional educator, my focus is to inspire children to enjoy learning so they progress in all areas of their development.

Coreen 
Kindergarten to grade 8

Hi, my name is Coreen! I am an educational assistant at Cloverdale elementary and have worked with children of all ages both in academia and sport environments for 34 years. In my spare time I enjoy hiking, the gym and spending time with my family. 
I enjoy tutoring and helping kids reach their academic  and personal goals in school and life.

Deanna Tran Kindergarten to grade 12

Hello, I am Deanna, a dedicated educator with a major in Latin American Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Victoria, Bachelors of Education from UBC, and currently pursuing a Professional Master’s of Education with Queen’s University. Alongside my passion for teaching, I play competitive ice hockey, which instills discipline and teamwork in my approach to education. I believe that tutoring is crucial for helping students navigate their unique learning paths. By providing tailored support showcasing various learning strategies, I am to empower students to overcome challenges, build confidence, and succeed.

Erin Fletcher Kindergarten to Grade 9 & Math

Hello, my name is Erin! I was born and raised in Victoria, BC. I have always enjoyed working with others and chose to take aleap into teaching. I studied at Camosun College and then transferred to the University of Victoria, where I graduated with a Bachelor of Education (Elementary Curriculum) in 2021. Since graduating, I have taught in classrooms from K-8. I am currently a TTOC within Greater Victoria and a grade 2 teacher. I just finished a contract at Cloverdale School where I taught grade 5. My interests outside of teaching in sports (softball & pickleball), getting outside, listening to audiobooks, and spending time with my friends and family. I have coached youth softball for over 10 years, and have been a volunteer coach with the UVic Vikes Softball team for the past 5 years. These experiences have provided me with the opportunities to be a team player, develp strong communication skills, and be a positive role model for others. As an educator, my teaching philosophy includes my passion towards making a difference in students’ lives. Through tutoring, I hope to be able to help students find tools and strategies that support them in being lifelong learners.

Calissa Tamelin
Kindergarten to grade 8
Hello, my name is Calissa Tamelin! Currently, I am working as a TTOC in the Great Victoria School District (SD61). I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from the University of Victoria and am currently taking classes through Queen’s University for my Inclusive Education certificates! I have taught a wide range of students with diverse abilities across all subjects from Kindergarten to grade 9. I have also had the opportunity to teach abroad in Tanzania, Africa and look forward to teaching internationally again in the future. My interests include hiking, dancing, travelling, pottery, and working out! I strongly believe in the benefits a tutor can bring to a student’s learning, as I grew up with tutors myself. My goal as an educator is to meet students where they are at and build on their strengths to support growth and confidence in learning.