Whether it’s the early stages of English development to a university level research paper, Potts Education Studio employs a diverse team of highly trained teachers with a variety of backgrounds and disciplines to suit your needs.
|
PhilPhil studied his undergraduate degree in Linguistics, specializing in second-language acquisition. In 1995, he did a practicum at the Language Training Institute of Ottawa. He was offered a permanent position there, but had to turn it down to continue his education.
Phil did in-home tutoring for several years before establishing his first tutoring centre in Richmond in 2000. This quickly led to an opportunity to establish and run a centre in Shenzhen, China, where he spent nearly two years. Upon returning to Canada, Phil was recruited to manage two different centres until 2008, when he established Potts Education Studio. Phil holds a Master of Education, with designation in Digital, Open, and Distance Learning. That puts Potts Education Studio in a unique position to offer its classes online as well as in the classroom. What’s more, Phil speaks several languages, including English, French, Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, and a handful of others. He continues to learn more, believing there is no end to education. |
|
KarolinKarolin is a BC certified teacher and has been a part of the Potts Education team since 2013. Before joining Potts Education Studio, Karolin volunteered and did substitute teaching at Our Lady of Mercy Elementary School in Burnaby; she also taught Grade 5 English and adult classes in Celaya, Mexico, where she discovered her passion for teaching English as a second language. Karolin has a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Education from Simon Fraser University, and she is a certified TEFL/TESOL teacher.
Karolin loves learning new things from her students and loves the engagement that teaching brings every single day. She enjoys running, hiking, playing baseball, travelling, and snowboarding. Karolin's teaching philosophy can best be described in Joseph Addison's analogy: "What sculpture is to a block of marble, education is to the soul." Karolin teaches the elementary group classes and one-on-one classes at Potts Education Studio. |
|
KristenHaving traveled to East Asia frequently since the age of nine, Kristen has developed a passionate interest for Asian languages, literature, history, and culture. This interest led her to the University of British Columbia, where she pursued a degree in Chinese Language and Culture. Eager to improve her Mandarin fluency, Kristen entered Potts Education Studio and became one of Phil’s students while completing her degree. It was from this experience that Kristen discovered a desire to become an educator.
She spent her final year at UBC developing her skills as an English tutor. After graduation, Kristen won a scholarship from the Government of China, and completed a year of post-graduate Mandarin Language study at Xiamen University in Fujian province. Living and studying in beautiful Xiamen gave Kristen the opportunity to teach English classes to preschool and elementary students at a local arts and language centre, and she engaged in tutoring on her university campus. Upon returning to Canada, Kristen resumed her post at Potts Education Studio. Her experiences in China have deepened and informed her teaching skills. Kristen believes that academic success in language is achieved not only through hard work, but also through exploration, curiosity, and interaction with the wider world. |
|
JienJien is a BC certified teacher who also holds a US teaching license as well as a TESOL/TESL certification. Having taught in 3 countries (Canada, USA, and South Korea), he has presented on teaching at several international conferences, coordinated professional development for other teachers, and helped to pioneer an annual TEDx-like speaking event for students in Daegu, South Korea.
With over a decade of teaching experience, he continues to be passionate about teaching students in a way that is evidence-based, fair, and serves their individual needs. Jien graduated from university at the top of his class with a perfect GPA and was a member of 4 honour societies. He knows the strategies to success in university and strives to equip his students with the tools and methods they need to triumph when school becomes truly difficult at those high levels. He is currently completing post-graduate coursework in instructing multiple literacies to improve his teaching even further. To encourage students to read more, he models good reading habits by reading an average of 100 books each year. |
|
Joyce, Director of Education Consulting
|
|
BrinaBrina has a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with a minor in English Literature. She started out at Potts Education Studio as a homework marker back in 2020 and over time, she has moved to various roles, from instructor to Marker Manager.
As an integral part of the Potts management team, Brina plays a vital role in providing critical feedback and support, ensuring that all student submissions receive constructive guidance. Beyond her administrative duties, Brina is an enthusiastic teacher who is determined to make a meaningful impact in her students’ learning. With her unique educational background, she is proficient in both Math and English. Her proficiency in these subjects equips her with the ability to effectively communicate complex concepts, tailor instructions to individual learning styles, and inspire students to reach their full potential across diverse academic domains. |
|
BrockBrock graduated from Simon Fraser University with a Bachelor of Arts in English. With over two years of ESL teaching experience in South Korea, he developed a passion for working with children and a dedication to teaching. Brock is a world traveler who has visited over 15 countries, gaining a deep appreciation for diverse cultures. He sees the English language as a bridge across language barriers and is committed to sharing his knowledge to make a positive impact through education. In his spare time, he enjoys reading and writing, always expanding his knowledge and interests.
Brock believes that the foundation of education lies in building trust and mutual respect with students. His teaching experience has shown him the surprising capacity of children to learn and inspire, and he values creating relationships that encourage growth. These connections motivate him to keep growing, learning, and fostering genuine understanding, translating these experiences into success with his students. |
|
CarlosCarlos obtained his Bachelor’s degree of Electrical Engineering at Harbin Institute of Technology in China and achieved his Master’s degree of Electrical Engineering at UBC. He has over 8 years of experience helping high school and university students with Mathematics and Sciences as a tutor. With dual education backgrounds, he knows the similarities and differences of various education systems very well. Carlos is able to deliver mathematical and science concepts effectively to students while identifying each student’s weakness. And he is determined to get every student involved in the learning process.
He joined Potts Education Studio in October 2018 when he was still a graduate student at UBC. And during the past 3 years with the Studio, over 20 students have improved their academic performance dramatically. Carlos teaches one-on-one classes at the Studio with Gr. 9 - 12 Mathematics, Gr. 11 - 12 Physics and Chemistry. |
|
CynthiaCynthia is a BC certified teacher who holds a TESOL/TESL certification. She has a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Education from the University of British Columbia. During her undergraduate studies, Cynthia worked as a teaching assistant and assisted in designing various science and scientific writing courses. She is passionate about teaching, and she has enjoyed teaching English and science in various settings to students from elementary school to university. Being a public school teacher in Metro Vancouver, she has taught ESL/ELL and mainstream high school science courses.
Cynthia firmly believes that education should support students to develop subject-specific knowledge as well as core competencies including communication and critical thinking. She aspires to support students to achieve their academic goals and spark their interest in learning. |
|
DihansaDihansa is a current student at the University of British Columbia pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Integrated Sciences, with disciplines in microbiology, infectious diseases, and human physiology.
Dihansa believes that every subject requires a unique approach to teaching and learning. She incorporates hands-on activities and visual tools to help students achieve a deeper understanding of the material. Centring her teaching philosophy on curiosity, creativity, and critical questioning, Dihansa aims to foster a supportive and inspiring learning environment where students feel empowered to explore and grow. Her teaching journey began in high school when she volunteered at her local temple, teaching Buddhism and Sinhalese to young children. Since then, she has worked with students aged 3 to 12 in both English and Sinhalese, and continues to tutor STEM subjects informally at UBC. With a multicultural academic background, Dihansa is highly adaptable in her teaching methods, tailoring her approach to meet the needs of diverse learners and subjects. Outside of academics, Dihansa enjoys nail artistry, caring for animals, and scrapbooking. These passions reflect her creativity, patience, and love for continuous learning. |
|
EmilyEmily has a Bachelor of Arts, with a double major in Political Science and Asian Studies from UBC. With a robust background in teaching math and experience working for the federal government, Emily brings a wealth of knowledge and a unique perspective to her role in education. In addition, she has also provided conference and registration support at UBC, which has enriched her understanding of academic environments and student needs.
Passionate about student success, Emily is dedicated to helping students navigate their academic journeys, identify their strengths, and unlock their full potential. Combining a keen understanding of educational systems with a love for learning and travel, Emily brings a global perspective and a personalized approach to supporting students. Whether guiding them through the complexities of university applications or providing tailored advice, Emily strives to make every student's path to higher education both clear and rewarding. |
|
HafsaHafsa is a language lover and a passionate teacher who has entered the field of language instruction more than 15 years ago. She has enjoyed teaching both English and French in a variety of settings, to a wide range of students from Kindergarten to university and adult professionals.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in applied linguistics, and decided to obtain her teaching certificate in 2003. Ever since, Hafsa has taught at several public and private schools in Morocco and Canada. In 2007, she travelled to teach English at the College of Applied Sciences in the Sultanate of Oman, where she spent two amazing years teaching Omani and international students. She now teaches at Potts Education Studio where she also takes classes in Mandarin. Despite being a busy mother of two children, Hafsa believes in lifelong learning. She fluently speaks four languages and is determined to make Mandarin her fifth. Hafsa firmly believes that “what we learn with pleasure, we never forget.” She’s looking forward to giving her best to her students and making their learning experience one to cherish and remember. Besides being a French and English instructor at Potts Education Studio, Hafsa is also a certified transformative life coach, NLP practitioner and certified PQ (positive intelligence) trainer who offers academic and life coaching packages to teens and preteens on a one on one and group basis. With over 20 years of teaching experience and extensive life coach training, Hafsa can easily tap into young learners creativity and inner strengths, help them breakthrough their limiting beliefs and unleash their full potential to successfully transition into confident adulthood. Through a series of coaching sessions, teens and pre-teens develop a positive mindset, strong resilience and unshakable self confidence that can dramatically improve the quality of their life throughout high school and beyond. Interested but curious to know more? Email Hafsa directly at: [email protected] or use the link to book a free 30 minute consultation. Hafsa will answer all your questions, explain how the sessions work and suggest a life coaching package that is most suitable for your needs. https://calendly.com/superteencoaching/30-min-discovery-call |
|
HamzaHamza is a lifelong language aficionado with over eight years of in-class teaching experience. He is a native speaker in English and French. Having embarked on a teaching journey at the young age of 19, he fell in love with the classroom, the students and the process of knowledge sharing. Despite pursuing a degree in Business Management, he strove simultaneously to advance his career as an English teacher, leading him to undertake various training programs, which culminated in receiving an internationally recognized teaching certificate.
After nearly fours years of continuous teaching experience of various age groups and levels, he decided to halt his language-teaching career in order to pursue a Master’s degree. This came to fruition, and he received the prestigious FULBRIGHT scholarship for excellence to start his Master’s in Organizational Leadership at the University of St. Ambrose in Iowa, USA. Throughout his two-year program, he did not lose his knack for teaching. In fact, his love and passion for sharing knowledge was immediately recognized by his professors, who offered him a teaching assistantship job, a position that he held for the duration of his two-year program. Upon graduation, and despite receiving job offers at research labs and some managerial positions, he decided to resume his teaching career. By accepting a teaching position at one of the MENA region’s top leading Universities, UM6P Morocco, he was on the path he drew for himself at a young age. This new experience allowed him to expand his teaching prowess. It also exposed him to a plethora of subjects and topics to teach, ranging from, but not limited to, English, Leadership, Economics and Statistics. On a personal level, Hamza is a self-proclaimed ‘nomad’ and a ‘global citizen’. His motto in life is that "a ship at a harbor is safe, but that's not what ships are for". He takes it upon himself to discover as much of the world’s cultures as possible, with an open eye to discovery and a heart keen for understanding. |
|
JackJack is pursuing a combined degree in honours mathematics and computer science at the University of British Columbia. He loves to learn languages, listen to songs and memorize their lyrics, bike, and learn about mathematics. In general, he has an insatiable curiosity to learn.
Jack has always strongly believed in the power of education in creating curious and intelligent individuals who will, to him, undoubtedly serve as a driving force of good in society. As a result, Jack began to volunteer tutoring kids various subjects early on in high school. From his experiences, Jack learned how to effectively communicate with and guide students in learning. Jack also completed the rigorous IB Diploma Programme, taking higher level mathematics and science courses and ending with a 40+ score. Jack was a student of Phil’s for a long time, and from him cultivated the passion for learning that defines him today. He hopes to be able to inspire students here to cherish learning as well. |
|
JanaJana has a masters degree in teaching English and French as a second language. Currently teaching in Slovakia at private English high school geography and history gives Jana joy and pleasure to connect with students and to see their progress. Jana's teaching principles include promoting independence and fostering growth at an individual pace. Jana encourages her students to be independent using methods of education that are based on self-directed activity, hands-on learning and collaborative play. Supporting students' intellectual, emotional and social development are Jana's utmost goals and philosophy.
Having a European background allowed Jana to travel across many countries and to get to know many European cultures and languages. This experience promoted her passion for multiculturalism and social interaction. |
|
JaneJane has a Master of Arts degree in Philosophy, and a Master of Arts degree in Comparative Literatures and Arts. She considers herself a student of life, for life. She has a passion for teaching and encouraging others to develop and pursue their academic endeavours and goals. Jane has worked as a Teaching Assistant and Marker/Grader at Brock University; where she discovered her enthusiasm for teaching and creating pedagogical strategies to help students feel excited about their learning journey. She also has experience developing and teaching art classes at her local art gallery; as well as teaching singing and guitar, both in-person and online.
Since a young age, Jane has had a deep love for singing, song writing, and playing guitar. Jane has recently began taking opera lessons to expand and explore the potentialities of her own voice. In her Master’s thesis, she wrote about the voice and how it constitutes and becomes an expression of one’s identity. “Books give a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything.” – Plato |
|
JenniferJennifer is a third-year student at the University of British Columbia, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Immunology. She aspires to pursue a career in medicine or optometry. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, baking, and learning how to skateboard. Her passion for teaching stems from witnessing the satisfaction of her students when they improve.
Jennifer began her teaching journey as a volunteer peer tutor for math in high school. Since then, she has also tutored elementary students in English at UBC. In addition to academics, she has been a swimming instructor for over three years. Jennifer believes that education and continuous learning, whether in academics or hobbies, are essential for personal growth. With her diverse teaching experiences, she is equipped to adapt to different learning styles, understand her students' needs, and foster an engaging learning environment. |
|
JumanJuman is majoring in Speech Science and Linguistics at the University of British Columbia. She has a personal understanding of the challenges related to learning a second language, which fuels her passion for helping others in their language learning journeys.
Her experience as a teaching assistant at summer camps for English learners has equipped her with the skills to create engaging and enjoyable learning environments. Juman is always seeking inspiration and new ideas to make language learning both fun and effective. Fluent in Arabic and conversational in Turkish, Juman plans to learn Japanese in the future to further expand her language skills. Her next career goal is to teach English in Japan after graduating. In her free time, Juman loves to read books from various genres, which helps her relax after a long day. |
|
KenMr. Ken has graduated locally with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Legal Studies, focusing on legal proceedings and administrative law. Over the past decade, his experiences have surrounded extensive hours in the capacity of Head English Tutor at tutoring schools and as a consultant for students who seek matriculation to Canadian and American institutions. In his earlier days, he has also written as a student editor for several news agencies briefly, including the South China Morning Post and school editorials for Wah Yan College, Kowloon, a Band-1 school in Hong Kong. His approach revolves around reinforcing fundamentals, encouraging creative elaboration, and organizing the future in a desirable yet pragmatic manner.
Ken believes that the cornerstone of education is to spark interest, and in order to achieve long-standing success, an educator ought to be passionate in a relentless search for improvement. By routinely polishing and redefining his methods on a case-by-case basis, he has counselled students to eventually exceed their goals, whether it be in the art of language, academic advancements, or overall life planning. His students include many families in the lower Mainland, with a 100% success rate for UBC, SFU, McGill, U of T, UVic, and more. |
|
NicolasNicolas is an English, French, Japanese, and Mathematics tutor with extensive teaching experience. Coming from a French-Japanese background, Nicolas attended a French-speaking high school where he completed the International Baccalaureate (IB) program and earned dual Dogwood diplomas. He is currently a student of International Relations at the University of British Columbia and also teaches Japanese at a high school in BC.
Nicolas is passionate about traveling and learning languages, including Spanish and Mandarin. He enjoys working with ESL/ELL students and those who wish to start studying French or Japanese. He strives to see students celebrate their progress and reach their full potential. At Potts Education Studio, he hopes to provide students with the skills they need to excel in their studies. |
|
Phoebe, Educational Operations Architect & STEM supervisorBefore joining the teaching team at Potts, Phoebe was a student of Phil’s for many years. Under Phil’s guidance, she learned the importance of good work ethic and time management which has led her to many successes in the years since then.
Throughout her life as a student, Phoebe’s favourite class was always Science. She enjoys the hands-on experience science can offer as well as the way it explains many things that happen in our world and how it encourages curiosity. Her passion for science helped her excel and landed her a position as a teaching assistant for Science 8. This experience led her to discover the joy of educating others. Since then, Phoebe has graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of British Columbia and has continued to build upon her teaching skills as a science tutor at Potts Education Studio. Her favourite part of being a science tutor is feeding into her students’ curiosity and teaching them the science behind things we interact with every day. During her free time, Phoebe enjoys baking and playing video games, which has inspired her to pursue another degree in computer science. |
|
SaraSara holds a Master of Commerce with a double major in Data Analytics and Marketing from the University of Sydney, as well as a Master of Data Science from the University of British Columbia. She discovered her passion for teaching back in high school, where she loved answering classmates’ questions and was often praised for her patience. Sara enjoys using real-life examples to make learning engaging and relatable.
In her free time, Sara enjoys outdoor activities like hiking, trail walking, and is passionate about ballet and musicals. She is currently learning both snowboarding and swimming, adding to her love for exploring new skills and experiences. |
|
Sasha B.Sasha holds a Bachelor's degree in Human Ecology with a minor in Child and Youth Studies from the University of Alberta. As a dedicated educator, Sasha has a passion for teaching English Language Learners (ELL) and supporting students from diverse backgrounds, particularly those adapting to new languages and cultures. Known for a unique blend of cultural understanding, patience, and creativity, Sasha creates a supportive learning environment where each student feels empowered to achieve their potential.
Outside the classroom, Sasha enjoys writing, blogging, and creating videos about spirituality and self-development, adding a holistic perspective to both her teaching approach and personal interests. |
|
Sasha D.In her spare time, Sasha enjoys strength training and running at the gym, cooking at home, and listening to all kinds of music.Sasha is currently working on her Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Immunology at the University of British Columbia. Sasha has engaged in a wide variety of related interests, having taken advanced courses in math and physics, as well as having spent many years learning computer programming as a hobby.
As Sasha has always had a passion for helping others around her, she has often been the person of choice for schoolmates to turn to for support and extra help in learning. She uses her own experiences and insights in science to explain difficult concepts in new ways to students. She believes that no matter how long it takes, achieving an underlying understanding is the most important goal when learning and teaching math and science, and she is excited to do whatever she can to help students gain that intuitive understanding. |
|
ShaniaShania is currently attending the University of British Columbia, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Sciences (Linguistics) with a minor in Asian Area Studies. In her free time, she enjoys letting her creative side roam free through digital forms of art and crocheting. She also finds herself constantly enveloped in new books, as well as continuing her passion of language-learning. She is currently learning, Korean, Japanese, and Tagalog with plans of improving her proficiency in each one.
Shania began her teaching journey while she was in high school by volunteering for after-school peer tutoring with English students. She then moved on to assisting a 12th grade English class as a peer tutor at her high school in her last semester of grade 12. She has since moved on to various tutoring positions, working with Elementary, High School, SSAT prep and university/SAT prep students. Since her young age, she has always been eager at the opportunity to learn something new, and thus, hopes to pass on that excitement to her students. She has always felt a sense of comfort in her English studies, from learning new methods of self-expression and creative aspects of writing, to learning academic writing skills. She has a strong admiration for anything with a story attached to it, which fuelled her interests in English. She hopes to show her students the wonders of English that first enticed herself to the subject, and in the process, help them find their own love for English. |
|
ShreyaShreya is pursuing her degree in Behavioural Neuroscience at the University of British Columbia. In her free time, she likes to read, write, and bake for her family and friends. She started her teaching journey as a peer tutor in high school for Math, Science and English, and is currently a tutor at her university. She has experience tutoring in elementary, high school, and university level subjects. Shreya loves interacting with people of all ages and finds great joy in helping people with their struggles. It is very gratifying when students finally understand a concept they were initially having trouble with, which is why she enjoys being a tutor. She is also a Taekwondo Instructor, which made her realize that teaching manifests in many different forms and is not limited to a classroom.
Shreya believes that education is a valuable asset that we ought to pass on to future generations, and Potts Education Studio provides individuals with the opportunity to discover their potential for excellence in all aspects of life. |
|
StevenSteven holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Vanderbilt University and a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling from the University of Pennsylvania. Over the years, Steven has dedicated his career to working with elementary and high school students in both Canada and the U.S., helping them find their voice in the face of mental health challenges. His experience spans a variety of educational settings, including high schools, youth counseling ministries, and tutoring agencies.
After spending five years in the U.S., Steven returned to Vancouver to continue his passion for supporting children and adolescents who often feel unheard or invisible. Whether these struggles stem from cultural stigmas, societal expectations, or a lack of emotional support, Steven provides a unique blend of mental health counseling and educational guidance. His extensive background in both fields allows him to deeply empathize with the academic and emotional challenges students face. As a first-generation immigrant and former international student who has studied in China, Canada, and the U.S., Steven understands the pressures that young people face while transitioning into new environments. He strives to create warm, authentic relationships with his clients, helping them feel confident, capable, and equipped to achieve their personal and academic goals. With a firm belief in the power of vulnerability and resilience, Steven is committed to fostering safe spaces for students to explore their mental health, while also working closely with parents to support their child’s growth. |
|
TianyiTianyi holds a Bachelor of Management degree in Construction Management and a Master of Engineering degree in Civil Engineering. She has been helping students with university planning and math tutoring since 2015 in China and joined Potts Education Studio in 2017.
From her educational background and previous experience, she is familiar with university planning and university applications. Her previous students successfully received offers from top North American universities including UBC, UT, McGill, University of California, Berkeley, and New York University, etc. She also provides math tutoring from Grade 8 to Grade 12, as well as SAT math. Tianyi helps students with all steps in university planning, from extracurricular activities application, program/university selection until students receive university admission offers. |
|
VanessaVanessa has a strong passion for languages and cultures. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Languages, Literatures, and Cultures and achieved her Master's degree in Translation and Technology at UCL. She started as a peer tutor in high school and continued to be a proofreader and editor in university. In university she also had the opportunity to be a summer camp coordinator for an all-ages summer camp.
Furthermore, she enjoys travelling and in her travels she has had experience working with students of different ages and in different settings. She has taught in Japan and Taiwan, and being in these multicultural environments she understands students' struggles when learning a new language. In her free time, Vanessa enjoys going to cafes to read and write as well as meeting new people and sharing experiences. |