Summer School is just winding down. Everyone is enjoying their summer. Academic Advantage is busy interviewing and screening BC certified teachers. We interview them, collect their references, verify their teaching credentials and make sure that they have a clear criminal record. We will be ready for the big rush in September.

Booking a tutor early is a good idea

Our popular tutors get booked quickly. If you worked with one of our tutors last year and want them back please call us in August to make sure that you can secure a spot in their time schedule.

Teachers of The Year
Every year we like to acknowledge the hard work of our teachers. We especially give recognition to the two top teachers. Let's give a thumbs up to our first, second place teachers of the year. These tutors have put in many hours of tutoring. Feedback from students has been outstanding. Their paperwork has been complete and on time each month.

Our Burnaby tutor, Omar Lalani (1st place) has taught French immersion, Math 8,9,10,11,12 Physics 11,12 Science 10, College Marketing and Economic for Academic Advantage and tutored a total of 317 hours from Sept - May this school year.

Omar did his undergraduate degree in biosystems engineering and his masters degree in engineering. He started Navi C (www.navi-c.com), an early-stage medical device company that developed radiation-minimizing technology currently being tested at the Vancouver Hospital. He also helped to launch a solar wireless technology company. Omar decided to get involved in another young technology company and joined SpaceDox as its President in 2009.  SpaceDox serves software-as-a-service to municipalities, helping them to be more efficient and environmentally sustainable.

According to Omar, "Technology companies can take years to come to fruition.  In the mean time, teaching and tutoring is a great way for me to supplement my work.  It gives me the
flexibility to keep my daytime open for my business work, and my weekends and evenings open for teaching.  Teaching is also something very rewarding. I am passionate and grateful to Susan and Academic Advantage for hiring me, and doing an amazing job.  I hope to be teaching for as long as I can."

Omar was awarded a $50 gift certificate to the Cactus Club.


 

Our Vancouver tutor, Phil Viaud (2nd place) has taught elementary students, Math 8,9,10 and Biology 11. He tutored 308 hours from Sept - May this school year. Phil has his Bachelor of Science, B.Ed and M.A (Administration and Curriculum).

Here are some words from Phil, "I have taught grades 4 to 10, mostly in the South Okanagan.
After retiring from teaching I moved to Vancouver where I have continued my work in education by tutoring. Teaching math at various levels is my specialty and my passion, although I enjoy tutoring other subjects, particularly science and socials. Helping students improve their understanding and their learning techniques is very fulfilling.

Biking to students' homes is also great exercise!
Each week I work as a volunteer for the David Suzuki Foundation helping to support their important work concerning climate change, endangered species, and environmental protection.
I also volunteer for the Stanley Park Ecological Society, helping to eradicate invasive species, particularly English ivy, from the park."
Phil was awarded a $30 gift certificate to the White Spot.
  

Survey
Please take a moment and complete our survey. It really helps us to serve you better, your input impacts our decisons. Thanks again, here's the link.


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Back to School Tips For Parents

Going to school means getting into new routines with no more late nights or late mornings.

Find a set bed-time that lets your kids feel well-rested in the morning

Practice the back to school routine a few times before the first day (e.g., go to bed, get up, dress, eat

Have your child help prepare what you can the night before (pick out clothes, pack healthy lunch your child

breakfast, brush teeth, and be out the door by 8am).

likes, pack school bag, etc).

Focus on the Positives

- practice new or difficult skills at home before school starts.

more enthusiastic about starting a new school year.

Check with your school to find out what your child will need this year.

tell a favourite teacher about their summer vacation).

Talk to your child's school and find out what the routines are. Help your child to understand what is expected

Going back to school is easier for everyone if a child has something to look forward to.

Purchasing school supplies or clothes with your child is a good way to help your son or daughter become

Try to help your child get excited about school in other ways (e.g., see friends they haven't seen all summer,

Talk to your child about the fun activities he or she will get to do and the new friends they will make.

Back To School Joke

Early one morning, a mother went in to wake up her son.

'Wake up, son. It's time to go to school'

'But why, Mom? I don't want to go.'

'Give me two reasons why you don't want to go.'

'Well, the kids hate me for one, and the teachers hate me, too!'

'Oh, that's no reason not to go to school. Come on now and get ready.'

'Give me two reasons why I should go to school.'

'Well, for one, you're 52 years old. And for another, you're the Head teacher!'




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New School For Gifted Learners

One of our active and well respected tutors is opening up a new school in the Strathcona area of East Vancouver starting in September, 2010. The school offers grades 5-9, for both part-time and full-time students. Call or email Academic Advantage for more details.



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