Tutor Team & Process

Our tutors are literacy experts with extensive backgrounds in remedial education and are all trained in the methodologies of Orton-Gillingham and Structured Literacy. Tutoring lessons are fun and engaging with Novel’s multi-sensory approach to teaching. It allows tutors to tailor each lesson to the needs and learning styles of each student.

How Novel selects tutors

The Novel team consists of experienced educators with professional teaching backgrounds who are passionate about working with students with unique learning profiles. Novel tutors undergo a thorough background and screening process before they are accepted to the team.

How Novel trains tutors

Tutors are trained in Novel’s Literacy Specialist Course, a comprehensive Orton-Gillingham-based program that conveys the multi-sensory teaching strategies and lesson structure of Novel’s Literacy Curriculum. After their core training, each tutor goes through an extensive practicum which offers close guidance from seasoned Novel leaders.

How Novel ensures quality

Novel consistently monitors lesson quality and learning progress through frequent supervision check-ins with our tutors and regular re-evaluations of a student’s skill levels. Parents receive weekly progress reports, and tutors explore various teaching strategies to help students who may struggle with a specific concept.

Novel Curriculum

Our tutors are trained on Novel’s proprietary Literacy Curriculum. Based on the principles of Structured Literacy, our Curriculum extends over a learning trajectory of 2 to 3 years and includes separate tracks for students in primary school, elementary school, and high-school. Our in-depth curriculum ensures a student’s success in their literacy journey.

Primary Curriculum

Novel’s Primary Curriculum caters to the needs of students from JK to grade 2. There are 7 levels in this program. The curriculum covers all foundational skills in phonics and phonological awareness, spelling, reading and writing. The lessons contain content that is easily digestible for younger students. When they successfully complete the 7 levels, they will be ready to graduate to our General Curriculum and dive into more advanced literacy concepts.

General Curriculum

Our 15-level General Curriculum is targeted at students from grade 3 and up. It contains all fundamental Orton-Gillingham-based concepts that are important for success in reading, writing and spelling. The curriculum begins with the basic literacy concepts and progresses to more advanced objectives. Each lesson builds on what is previously taught and previous concepts are revisited throughout.

Writing Strategies Curriculum

The Writing Strategies curriculum focuses on all the important elements of becoming a successful writer. Writing skills are taught in the Orton-Gillingham way - basic to complex, multisensory and direct, and explicit instruction. From word forms to report and essay writing, students gain access to all the fundamental skills for proficiency in writing.

Meet The Novel Tutoring Team

Andy

Role: Math Tutor
Qualifications: B.Comm, B.Ed, OCT, OG Practitioner
Favourite part of working at Novel: The impact I get to have on students and their families. It’s been a great opportunity to help students develop their confidence and independence while learning.
Shannon

Role: Literacy and Math Tutor
Qualifications: B.Sc, B.Ed, MTeach, OG Practitioner
Favourite part of working at Novel: Seeing the growth and development of my students, I have had a lot of my students for a while and reflecting on their development over the time we worked together makes me so proud and thankful.
Emma

Role: Literacy Tutor
Qualifications: BA, B.ED, OCT, OG Practitioner
Favourite part of working at Novel: I like that I get to build students confidence when it comes to their reading and writing! I also enjoy that I get to build relationships and get to know my students. It's really fun!
Amy

Role: Literacy Tutor
Qualifications: Developmental Support Professional, BA, Masters of Applied Disability Studies (ongoing), OG Practitioner
Favourite Part of working at Novel: Seeing my students build confidence in their literacy skills and gain a sense of pride in their work and abilities.
Naomi

Role: Literacy Tutor
Qualifications: BA, CELTA Certificate, OG Practitioner
Favourite part of working at Novel: The consistency and the support!
Jessica

Role: Literacy Tutor
Qualifications: BA, Ontario College Diploma- Educational Support, OG Practitioner
Favourite part of working at Novel: Working within the ADHD and dyslexia community as a tutor is incredibly fulfilling.
Erin

Role: Literacy Tutor
Qualifications: B.Ed, OG Practitioner
Favourite part of working at Novel: I love helping students learn to read and spell! I am extremely passionate about the educational approach we use.
Kelsey

Role: Literacy and Math Tutor
Qualifications: B.Comm, B.Ed, MBA, OG Practitioner
Favourite part of working at Novel: My favorite part about working at Novel Tutoring is helping students reach their reading and writing goals.
Gary

Role: Literacy Tutor
Qualifications: Language Specialist, Certified Tutor Associate, Advanced Methodology in Elementary Music, OG Practitioner
Favourite part of working at Novel: I enjoy working with the Novel team. It is a very well-run and caring organization.
Jessica

Role: Literacy Tutor
Qualifications: BSc, Communicative Disorders Graduate Certificate, OG Practitioner
Favourite part of working at Novel: I love being able to help students become more confident in their literacy skills.
Nicole

Role: Literacy Tutor
Qualifications: B.Sc, M. Ed, OG Practitioner
Favourite part of working at Novel: Getting to help students unlock their brain’s potential!
Emma

Role: Literacy Tutor
Qualifications: BA, OG Practitioner
Favourite part of working at Novel: I'm really passionate about working with kids and helping them achieve their full potential.
Sarah

Role: Literacy Tutor
Qualifications: Diploma in Film and Television Production, OG Practitioner
Favourite part of working at Novel: Shining a light on my students' ability to break down the barriers holding them back from reading - showing them that they have what it takes.
Paulina

Role: Literacy Tutor
Qualifications: B.Ed, OG Practitioner
Favourite part of working at Novel: Getting to experience the learning and growth in all of my students!
Ruth

Role: Literacy Tutor
Qualifications: Life Coach, FIG certified Gymnastics Coach, OG Practitioner
Favourite part of working at Novel: Having the opportunity to make a difference in the student's lives is priceless! Watching them progress in skill and confidence and aiming to create a positive learning experience is extremely rewarding.
Jackie

Role: Literacy Tutor
Qualifications: MEd-Counselling Psychology, BA EL, BEd- Spec Ed Specialist, Guidance Specialist, OG Practitioner

Favourite part of working at Novel: Working with students one-to-one and watching their excitement and enthusiasm when they learn something new.
Hilary

Role: Literacy Tutor
Qualifications: BA Sociology, GC: Autism and Behavioural Science / ECE, MA Counselling Psychology (current), OG Practitioner

Favourite part of working at Novel: The mentorship, community and values that Novel Tutoring is built upon! I think structured literacy should be taught in all learning environments.
Maria

Role: Literacy Tutor
Qualifications: MA, BA English, OG Practitioner

Getting in some laughs during a lesson—my students are so funny and creative.
Hannah

Role: Math Tutor
Qualifications: BA Education and Art History, MEd OISE, UofT, Spec Ed
Favourite part of working at Novel: getting to know all the awesome students and their individual learning styles as well as working with the families. I love igniting the spark of curiosity and the joy of learning within each student. Witnessing that moment when a concept clicks, particularly in mathematics, is immensely rewarding.
Tricia

Role: Literacy Tutor and Math Tutor
Qualifications: BA English Lit, MA Ed OISE U of T, TEFL/TESL
Favourite part of working at Novel: The best part is when it starts to 'click' with a student, and their progress catapults from that moment. I also love the amazing team of educators I work with and learn from.
Kayla

Role: Literacy Tutor
Qualifications: BA ,Speech Pathology and Audiology
Favourite part of working at Novel: The Novel Tutoring curriculum allows for lessons to be personalized for each child. Novel Tutoring makes teaching and learning literacy/reading fun for both the tutors and clients!
Lola

Role: Literacy Tutor
Qualifications: HBSc in Neuroscience and Psychology. MEd in Educational Psychology (Current), OG Practitioner
Favourite part of working at Novel: Getting to know students and having a positive and lasting impact on their learning!
Jerrica

Role: Literacy Tutor
Qualifications: BA Psychology and French, Graduate Certificate in HR Management, BEd & Spec Ed.
Favourite part of working at Novel: I love working with students to improve their literacy skills and confidence by celebrating their wins and helping them see their strengths as a learner!
Emma

Role: Literacy Tutor
Qualifications: OCT - Intermediate/Senior French and English Bed, Honours BA English Lang and Lit, and French Studies
Favourite part of working at Novel: I enjoy incorporating fun educational games into my teaching. I also like that I’m able to help students one-on-one to support their individual needs.