Meet Our Team

Stacey McCoy

Executive Director and Franchise Owner

Stacey is the Executive Director and Centre Owner. A graduate of the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto, Stacey has taught in Ontario, Quebec, the US, and France. She is passionate about education and helping students love learning, increase their confidence and achieve success.  Stacey is responsible for meeting Sylvan’s high operating standards and ensuring that our families enjoy the many benefits that Sylvan has to offer. When Stacey isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her reading, running, traveling and spending time with her family.

Tara Koster

Centre Director

Tara has over 15 years experience at Sylvan, first as a tutor and for many years as a Director of Education. As the Centre Director she oversees the operation of Sylvan in Oakville and ensures the educational integrity of our programs, managing and training our team of tutors. A former classroom teacher, Tara has a wealth of knowledge combined with passion to see every student achieve their academic potential. Tara graduated from McMaster University and The University of Calgary and has worked for Sylvan in both Alberta and in a number of locations in Ontario.  When Tara isn’t at work, you will find her spending time with her two daughters, reading and enjoying the outdoors.

Morgan Hicks

Teacher

Morgan is a teacher who takes the initiative to make learning fun as possible and strives to find different methods to make the best of her students learning. She enjoys working with primary to intermediate students, she also has a specialty for French language arts. At Morgan’s table you will see busy workers with much laughter and smiles in between. She received her Psychology degree from St. Thomas University in Fredericton, NB and went on to receive her Bachelor of Education for the St. Mary’s University in Calgary, AB. Not to worry, she is Ontario teacher certified! Outside of the classroom, you can find Morgan out hiking or at one of the many art museums in the GTA.

Sylvia van Walsum

Teacher

Sylvia comes to us from Burlington. She is passionate about teaching! She teaches our Writing, Reading, and Math Programs. Patient and encouraging, she enjoys helping our students with their math challenges. Simplifying the concepts, she makes them easier to understand, and likes to make math fun! Our students adore working with her!
Sylvia is a cheerful part of our team. She has degrees in Wildlife Biology, Teaching, and Library Science. Before she worked in office administration, she taught science at a private high school in Toronto. When she isn’t teaching, you can find Sylvia on nature walks, birding, gardening, doing Tai Chi, or reading her favourite sci-fi fantasy novels.

Gill Layfield

Teacher

Gill came to Sylvan after retiring from a 28-year career as a high school English teacher with the Waterloo Region District School Board. She took six months to relax after retirement and then returned as a supply teacher. She loved her supply work because it kept her connected to the kids at the school. It was the best of both worlds! Then COVID struck. Teaching online part-time with Sylvan was the perfect answer for Gill. She missed the classroom too much not to be teaching kids and helping them learn. There’s nothing like seeing your students make progress! When she’s not teaching, you’ll find her reading, cooking, gardening, or playing with my two cats, Daphne and Dora.

Braden Clarke

Math Teacher

Braden lives in Oakville and is excited to help you learn. Currently, Braden attends McMaster University, pursuing a Mechanical Engineering Degree. He teaches all levels of our Math Program, Physics and Sciences, and Chemistry. Always ready for the challenge, Braden is eager to help you with any difficult question or problem. Braden aims to take the concepts learned in class and simplify them so they are understandable and digestible. Outside of teaching, Braden enjoys hikes, hockey, and rock climbing.

Cecil Box

Teacher

Cecil is a recent graduate of York University’s Bachelor of Education program and has an English degree. They have teaching certification at the I/S divisions and are working toward getting a Specialist certification in Guidance and Career Education, and Special Education to focus their career on assisting and supporting students with varying educational and social-emotional needs. They are now working with PDSB. Outside of teaching, Cecil is a self-proclaimed nerd who enjoys playing video games, watching anime, and going to conventions. When using their wheelchair at Sylvan, students can see their many stickers on the back to see what new things Cecil has gotten into.

Amandeep Kaur

Teacher

Teaching is both her passion and hobby, she considers herself to be very lucky to have a job in education. She is understanding, and patient and does well teaching students who are beginners in math. Amandeep is fully qualified to teach Mathematics as she has her M.Sc, B.Ed, and her OCT, and she has been teaching for five years. Making math enjoyable is very important to Amandeep. She wants students to be relaxed and not afraid of math! She loves helping people and teaching is one of the most rewarding jobs she can imagine having.

Moya Percy

Teacher

Trained in Secondary Education with a major in Double Option Science, Moya has over fourteen years of experience teaching at a Secondary School. She believes that each student has the capacity to learn and that teachers should adapt their methods to suit the individual needs of their students. When she is not working, she enjoys reading or visiting outdoor attractions.

Heelai has been tutoring students since she was 18 years old, and is now also a teacher in Halton. She has always been passionate to teach and connect with others through education. She is currently a teacher with the Halton and Peel District School Boards. When she is not teaching, expect to see her hanging out with her friends at the mall, at a restaurant, or outside on a walk!