Meet the teachers
Experts in giving your children the best start
Education Director
Hebah Ali, education director at Discover Learning, holds a bachelors of science from UBC and a bachelors of education, in Secondary Education, from SFU. She has been a certified Orton Gillingham instructor for over ten years. Hebah has also attended several workshops to compliment her education including OG math, reading strategies for a classroom, and OG grammar. She is the co-owner of Discover Learning, with her brother Faraaz.
Teachables
- Orton-Gillingham Trained
- Mathematics (Grades K–10)
- English (Grades 8-10)
- Science (Grades 8-10)
Head Tutor
Faraaz Ali, head tutor at Discover Learning, has been a certified Orton Gillingham tutor since December 2010. He is also a certified education assistant. He started his journey working for the Learning Disabilities Association of Vancouver tutoring both OG mathematics and English. This drove his passion for teaching, and he joined his sister on her business venture where they created Discover Learning.
Teachables
- Orton-Gillingham Trained
- Mathematics (Grades K–12)
- Precalculus
- English (Grades 8-12)
- Science (Grades 8-10)
- Chemistry (Grades 8-10)
- Physics (Grades 11-12)
Sandra Bowman, OG mathematics and English tutor, has been a certified OG instructor for several years. She also has an early childhood education diploma. Her venture started at the Learning Disabilities Association with Faraaz, and she joined our team in 2013. She is known as the queen of games and is our elementary specialist.
Teachables
- Orton-Gillingham Trained
- Mathematics (Grades K-6)
- English (Grades 8-10)
Shannon Roest, OG mathematics and English tutor, has been in the education field for over 20 years. She has worked for the Burnaby School District, in the Montessori programs, and has experience in child and youth counselling. She is known for her energy and is an elementary specialist.
Teachables
- Orton-Gillingham Trained
- Mathematics (Grades K-7)
- English (Grades 8-10)
Emily is studying at the University of British Columbia, where she is majoring in Biochemistry and Anatomy & Physiology, with a minor in Sports and Kinesiology. She has been teaching for five years and has also volunteered with the Learning Buddies Network as a mentor in math and English from 2019 to 2022. Additionally, Emily contributed to the Let’s Talk Science SMaRT program, teaching science lessons to underserved communities in East Vancouver.
She also teaches emergency first aid with St. John Ambulance. Outside of her studies and teaching, Emily enjoys hiking, skiing, camping, and practicing emergency first aid. She recently achieved a personal best 10k run time of 56:29!
Teachables
- Orton-Gillingham Trained
- Mathematics (Grades K-11)
- Precalculus 11
- English (Grades 8-10)
Mateus Barbosa, OG English and Mathematics tutor, has been in the teaching field for 7 years. He has taught in various environments and has even taught English in a Dungeons & Dragons Club. In his spare time, Mateus likes to play video games, work on math, and program computers. His favourite band is Pinguini Tattici Nucleari.
Teachables
- Orton-Gillingham Trained
- Mathematics (Grades K-12)
- Precalculus
- English (Grades 8-12)
- Science (Grades 8-10)
- Physics 11
Victor, OG math and English teacher, holds a Bachelor’s of Arts from Simon Fraser University, with a major in Psychology, a minor in Human Development and Counselling, and a certificate in Philosophy and Methodology of Science. He also completed the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and was part of the French Immersion program in high school.
Victor has several years of teaching experience, including frequently helping peers with math in high school, tutoring pre-calculus, and working at a childcare center where he taught emotional health and self-regulation strategies to children. Outside of teaching, he enjoys a wide range of hobbies, including playing video games, reading comics and manga, and exploring various creative outlets depending on what he’s currently reading or watching. A few fun facts about Victor include that he can salsa dance, play both piano and ukulele, and Shannon was his preschool teacher.
Teachables
- Orton-Gillingham Trained
- Mathematics (Grades K-12)
- Precalculus
- English (Grades 8-12)
- Science (Grades 8-10)
Pawandeep Kaur is a passionate educator and psychology student at the University of British Columbia, poised to graduate in 2024 with a major in Psychology and a minor in Mathematics. Her journey as a teacher began in high school, where she supported peers and younger students in subjects like Math and Science, fostering personalized learning and creating engaging educational materials. Now, as a tutor, Pawandeep continues her commitment to individualized education, utilizing technology to enhance lessons and track student progress.
In addition to her tutoring, Pawandeep runs the TikTok page “WhyPsychologyMatters,” where she shares insights on the practical applications of psychology in daily life. Known for her flexibility, creativity, and attention to detail, Pawandeep strives to make learning not only accessible but also inspiring for all students.
Teachables
- Orton-Gillingham Trained
- Mathematics (Grades K-11)
- Precalculus 11
- English (Grades 8-10)
Maggie, an Orton-Gillingham (OG) tutor
specializing in mathematics and English, brings
her teaching expertise to the education field with several years of experience. In addition to her proficiency in these subjects, she has been
instructing sciences at the high school level. She
is also currently pursuing her studies in
Biomedical Physiology, and Maggie is dedicated
to achieving a Bachelor of Science. Outside of
her academic pursuits, she indulges in her passion for travel and is an avid fan of Star Wars.
Teachables
- Orton-Gillingham Trained
- Mathematics (Grades K-12)
- Precalculus 11
- English (Grades 8-12)
- Science (Grades 8-10)
- Physics (Grades 11-12)
- Chemistry (Grade 11)
Nayla is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts and has two years of experience providing one-on-one tutoring, where he has developed strong communication and teaching skills. In his free time, he enjoys creative writing, playing video games, cycling, and singing. He occasionally participates in singing competitions and is pursuing video game development, combining his creativity with his interest in technology and interactive storytelling.
Teachables
- Orton-Gillingham Trained
- Mathematics (Grades K–10)
- English (Grades K - 8)
- Science (Grades K - 9)
Alshanee graduated from Simon Fraser University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Sciences concentrating in Life Sciences. She has been tutoring for almost 3 years and has worked with students across various age groups on a plethora of subjects. She has experience teaching ESL to young children, preparing students for SAT/SSAT exams, and helping high school students with complex subjects, such as precalculus and chemistry.
When Alshanee isn’t tutoring, you can find her either cooking new recipes, cafe hopping around Vancouver, or most likely riding a stationary bike in a dark room (spinning!). She is also currently training for HYROX Vancouver!
Teachables
- Orton-Gillingham Trained
- Mathematics (Grades K–12)
- Chemistry (Grades-11/12)
- Science (Grades 8-10)
- English (Grades K-12)
- SAT/SSAT Prep
Sophia is completing a BA in Political Science with an Extended Minor in French and a Minor in Economics at SFU, and completed an exchange year at Sciences Po Paris. She has approximately 5 years of teaching experience, beginning with math tutoring for students in Grades 4–6 at her local elementary school. She has since spent 2–3 years as a mentor with YELL Canada, coaching Grade 11–12 students on business pitches, startup pitches, and financial valuations for year-end case competitions — every team she has mentored has placed 1st in their district. Outside of teaching, Sophia enjoys reading, morning swims, discovering new cafés, and travelling. She lived in Paris for a year, has strong opinions on where to find the best pain au chocolat, and is trilingual — or a loose-terms polyglot at the very least!
Teachables
- Orton-Gillingham Trained
- Mathematics (Grades K–10)
- Science (Grades 8-10)
- English (Grades K-12)
- French (Grades K-12)
Esme has been teaching at Discover Learning as an Orton-Gillingham certified tutor since January 2026. Before joining Discover Learning, she worked as a daycare assistant and provided reading support through the public library, where she developed a passion for helping children build confidence and succeed in their learning. Outside of teaching, she enjoys playing soccer and baseball, and you'll often find her reading whenever she has the chance. She is currently pursuing studies in science and mathematics at the University of British Columbia, and enjoys bringing her enthusiasm for learning into every tutoring session.
Teachables
- Orton-Gillingham Trained
- Mathematics (Grades K–12)
- Precalculus
- English (Grades K - 12)
- Chemistry 11
- Physics 11
Rian is an undergraduate Criminology student with two years of tutoring experience. He has taught math, English, history, and French to students ages 6–15 through Kumon and Discover Learning. Passionate about education, he creates engaging, supportive lessons that build confidence and foster academic success. His interests in world history, law, and Greek and Roman mythology enrich his teaching and inspire student curiosity.
Outside of academics, Rian has a strong background in athletics. He grew up playing hockey and competed in the BCEHL with the Vancouver North-East Chiefs for three years. He currently plays Junior Lacrosse for the Burnaby Lakers and also coaches both hockey and lacrosse.
Teachables
- Orton-Gillingham Trained
- Mathematics (Grades K–10)
- Precalculus 11
- Science (Grades 8-10)
- English (Grades 8 - 12)
- Physics (Grades 11-12)
Leksy is currently pursuing a Combined Major in Science at the University of British Columbia, with a focus on statistics, life sciences, and environmental science. He previously worked for two years as a school preparation teacher, helping children develop their academic, social, and physical skills needed to feel confident in the classroom. His teaching included public speaking, storytelling, circuit training, reading and writing, and geometric reasoning. He believes that education is empowering and that every child deserves the opportunity to develop a love of learning. Before entering the workforce, Leksy volunteered as a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Calgary.
Outside of academics and teaching, he enjoys watercolor and ink painting, playing video games, volunteering, reading, and exploring new activities around Vancouver. He has also recently taken up birdwatching as a new hobby. A fun fact about him is that his grandparents own a horse ranch that is home to 47 horses year-round.
Teachables
- Orton-Gillingham Trained
- Mathematics (Grades K–10)
- Science (Grades 8-10)
- English (Grades 8 - 12)
Aya is currently completing a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with an Extended Minor in French. Throughout her academic journey, her strongest subjects have been mathematics, French, and English. As she enters her final year at SFU, Aya serves as a mentor for incoming students, helping them navigate the transition to post-secondary education and easing any concerns they may have. She attended a French-language school throughout elementary school and has continued studying French through high school and university. Outside of academics, Aya enjoys reading, colouring, and discovering new anime and manga series. She also volunteers with a nonprofit organization dedicated to youth development, food security, and financial literacy. A fun fact about Aya is that she completed a year-long exchange program in France, an experience that significantly strengthened her French language proficiency.
Teachables
- Orton-Gillingham Trained
- Mathematics (Grades K–10)
- Science (Grades 8-10)
- English (Grades 8 - 12)
Avni is currently completing her Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting at Yorkville University. She has completed Orton-Gillingham training and brings over two years of experience in tutoring and education. During her studies, she also worked as a peer mentor at the university, where she supported students in their academic learning and success. She has experience tutoring students from Kindergarten to Grade 12 in both Math and English and has worked as both a literacy and math tutor, supporting students with diverse learning needs through structured, student-centered approaches. She enjoys creating customized games, hands-on activities, and visual learning resources to make lessons engaging, accessible, and enjoyable. Outside of teaching, she loves painting and creating crafts.
Teachables
- Orton-Gillingham Trained
- Mathematics (Grades K–10)
- Science (Grades 8-10)
- English (Grades 8 - 12)