English/Writing Tutors
Allyson
Allyson has over 25 years of experience as an EAL classroom teacher, teacher trainer and tutor. She loves the customized interactions with the people coming in to the VCC Learning Centre. In her spare time, she paddles her canoe on rivers, bikes around the city, attends music, dance and art events, fixes things, reads, and watches movies.
Amanda
Amanda has been working in the field of education for the last 20 years as a teacher, tutor, and assessor. In that time, she has had the opportunity to work with students from more than 40 countries. While she has taught students of all ages, helping adult learners achieve academic success is where her true passion lies. While her past interests have included competitive running and recreational hiking, her current pastimes include gardening, swimming, reading, watching movies, and lifelong learning. She also has a keen interest in nature and sustainability, having worked with several non-profit organizations. Amanda holds a BA, BEd, and PDP along with a TESOL certificate from VCC
Rosemary
Rosemary Raterman considers herself very fortunate to have a long career working with international students from around the world. Originally from the US, she has a BA in psychology/social work and a TESOL diploma from VCC. She has worked for over 20 years teaching English for Academic Purposes to students entering university in Canada. In between her bookend careers in mental health and EAP, she has worked as a gardener for the Portland Parks Bureau, a nurse’s aide for a cooperative of quadriplegic men and women, a maintenance worker, line cook, and a medical office assistant. She has a lifelong passion for cycling and dance and has traveled to Brasil and Cuba to study. She is currently working with beginner salsa dancers and entertains herself with multiple language pursuits on Duolingo.
Math/Science Tutors
Dale
Dale grew up in Vancouver, completing a MASc in Chemical Engineering degree from UBC, before working for a number of years as a professional engineer. After starting a family, Dale began working as a Math/Science tutor. She has been tutoring for over a decade and for the last 5 years at VCC Learning Centre. She loves sharing her love of Math and Science with students and seeing them develop confidence in their own abilities. In her free time, Dale enjoys spending time with family and friends, crafts, and growing indoor plants.
Darren
Darren has a Bachelor of Mathematics degree from the University of Waterloo. He is happy to work with students towards better understanding of all math disciplines at VCC, as well as physics and chemistry. He enjoys puzzles and games: he won second place for individual score at the first World Puzzle Team Championships in 1993, and has had a book of word puzzles published.
Life Sciences Tutor
Joanne
Joanne is a Life Sciences tutor who has a Bachelor of Science with a major in Biology from SFU. In her growing years of teaching experience, she has seen firsthand how important accessibility, inclusivity, and compassion are in education. In her free time, she has interests in film and languages. Joanne is excited about working with VCC students, hoping to share her passion and appreciation for the biological sciences.
Rachel
Rachel completed her BSc and MSc degrees in Biochemistry with emphasis on Astrobiology and life’s origins at McMaster University. She is enthusiastic about health, fitness and nutrition, and helping students learn about the life sciences. She enjoys long runs and good books.
Learning Centre Coordinator
Sara
Sara has been a dedicated and passionate educator at VCC since 2004. Her professional background is as an English language instructor and teacher trainer. She has a Master of Education (Teaching English as a Second Language) degree, a diploma from VCC’s TESOL program and a certificate in Language Coaching. As the Learning Centre Coordinator, Sara manages operations at the two campus Learning Centre locations, coordinates the delivery of professional learning support services, and provides learning strategy services in the form of workshops and academic coaching. She is currently channeling her passion for lifelong learning into trying to bake the perfect loaf of sourdough bread, and she also makes time to get outside and away from her computer screen as much as possible.