Every semester, amazing students from across McGill volunteer as mentors and tutors with the Branches program. This page is where we spotlight exceptional McGill students who go above and beyond and thank them for everything that they do to support positive youth development and access to education.
Meet AiyaHi! My name is Aiya Hyslop-Healy and I'm from Peterborough, Ontario. This is my first year at McGill, and I'm a U1 student, majoring in Sociology and minoring in International Development. I learned about the Branches Tutoring Program at a services fair and was immediately interested. At my high school, I was one of the leaders of a Peer Peer Tutoring Program and an Academic Stewart, where I acted as a liaison between the administration and the student body, ensuring that students' voices were heard. The Branches Tutoring Program provided an opportunity to continue with the rewarding work of tutoring. I love helping students become more confident in school and start to enjoy their subject material.
I currently work with a student to provide tutoring in English and History. A moment where I felt proud of the work I was doing with my tutee was when they achieved a significant mark on an assignment and texted me in all caps because they were so excited! I feel fulfilled watching my tutee grow as a student and connecting with them.
The experience also gave me a new perspective on students because I understood that most of the time when students are not succeeding academically, it's not a sign that they don't care. Instead, it demonstrates that no one has had the patience to ask what they need to grow and flourish in school.
Meet SarahBonjour! My name is Sarah DeGrâce (She/Her/Elle) and I was born in New Brunswick, though I've lived in Montreal for most of my life. I am currently in my first year at McGill studying the Ecological Determinants of Health in Society. I was drawn to the Branches Program by its mission to make education accessible to all and the opportunity to learn from and mentor Montreal's youth. I was especially excited to share my passion for French.
Providing tutoring in French I've learned that sometimes responding to your tutee's questions with other questions may be better than answering them! It is always exciting when my tutee summarizes what I'm saying better than I can!
Meet VivianneHi everyone! My name is Vivianne Kupovics I was born in Tokyo, Japan, but moved to Canada when I was two. I have lived in different areas throughout central and eastern Canada, before settling in Montreal about four years ago! Having changed my major from Geology to Nursing, I am in my fourth year of school, but enjoying U1 at McGill’s Ingram School of Nursing.
Throughout high school, I tutored consistently, mostly in French, Writing, Science, and Math. Having worked in Northern Canada in the Summer of 2022, I discovered further the power and excitement of education and learning, especially when students are eager to learn. My experience in communities where I was able to provide a valuable resource to youth profoundly changed my outlook both personally, and as an educator. I have tutored for a long while, primarily I work best in the sciences, as well as most humanities, particularly enjoying biology and creative writing.
The Branches Tutoring Program creates a true collaborative environment allowing for partnership in learning. Assessing new skills, defining strengths, and being challenged without stigma is integral. I feel the most proud when myself and my tutee learn from each other.
Meet Tia Hello everybody! My name is Tia, I am Lebanese Canadian. I lived in Ottawa for a year before moving to Gatineau, and finally arriving in Montreal two years ago. I am a U2 student in Pharmacology and passionate about the medical field! I love helping others with building their self-esteem and achieving their goals. I have volunteered with disabled children and offered them vocational training in a profession that interests them. I have also worked as an emergency early childhood educator for special needs students.
While in high school I tutored my friends in Science, Math, and English. I always felt that I learn better by teaching the subject to my peers. Learning is a fun challenge for me. I always search for how the subject I’m learning is related to something I am enthusiastic about. This is the technique I use with my tutees; I like to show them that no subject is boring. We can create interest in any subject by relating it to a passion.
I was drawn to the Branches Program the moment I read about it because not only does it allow me to help students persevere in school, it also enables me to become a mentor who empowers youth. I believe that poor academic performance is not the lack of enthusiasm to learn, but rather a lack of confidence or a low self-image, and the Branches Program targets both obstacles to ensure that the tutee excels in both school and life!
Every semester, amazing students from across McGill volunteer as mentors with Homework Zone. Learn more about the mentors that volunteered in past cycles of Homework Zone:
Written by Ayoub Rebaine
Meet Clement Zheng, an incredible mentor with Homework Zone at Karonhianónhnha Tsi Ionterihwaienstáhkhwa Elementary School.
Currently in U4 and a student in the Faculty of Science, Clement has previously volunteered in many different settings, namely in hospitals, and he has also been an undergraduate TA. At Karonhianónhnha, he has been helping his mentees Shakohahi:ioste and Ratonhnhaké:ton in Grades 5 and 6 with their math homework. He has shown how he can adapt to new situations and is willing to offer helping other students who may need it with the many teaching tips that he has!
Currently in U4 and a student in the Faculty of Science, Clement has previously volunteered in many different settings, namely in hospitals, and he has also been an undergraduate TA. At Karonhianónhnha, he has been helping his mentees Shakohahi:ioste and Ratonhnhaké:ton in Grades 5 and 6 with their math homework. He has shown how he can adapt to new situations and is willing to offer helping other students who may need it with the many teaching tips that he has!
Currently in U4 and a student in the Faculty of Science, Clement has previously volunteered in many different settings, namely in hospitals, and he has also been an undergraduate TA. At Karonhianónhnha, he has been helping his mentees Shakohahi:ioste and Ratonhnhaké:ton in Grades 5 and 6 with their math homework. He has shown how he can adapt to new situations and is willing to offer helping other students who may need it with the many teaching tips that he has!
Written by Chloé Soucy
Meet Catalin Suarasan! He is one of our veteran volunteers, coming back to mentor for a total of 5 semesters!
Originally from Romania, he immigrated here when he was 5 years old. He is a U3 in Physiology.
When asked about his favorite memory with his mentee, he wrote, "I think my fondest memory is when my mentee opened up to me after a bad day. Just having that feeling of trust from your mentee and him feeling like he could talk to me made me really happy and I was happy that I could be there for him."
When asked what keeps him coming back to HZ, he wrote, "I think what keeps me coming back every week and every semester is the bond you develop with your mentee. I feel like through this bond I truly have a positive impact on my mentee’s life even though I only see him once a week. To me at this point he’s more like a little brother than a mentee, it’s really fun to spend time with him."
Thank you Catalin for your energetic and authentic mentorship
Written by Chloe Soucy
Meet Amiya Reis! Amiya has been a fantastic volunteer for two semesters now. She is from Toronto, Ontario, currently in her first year at McGill (studying towards her Bachelor of Education in physical health).
When asked about her Homework Zone experience, she says: "This is my second semester working with HZ with many more to come! HZ for me is a space where I get to disconnect from my busy school schedule and have fun with my mentees. Seeing my girls always brightens my day and I always go home afterwards joyous as though I can accomplish anything!"
When asked about her Homework Zone experience, she says: "This is my second semester working with HZ with many more to come! HZ for me is a space where I get to disconnect from my busy school schedule and have fun with my mentees. Seeing my girls always brightens my day and I always go home afterwards joyous as though I can accomplish anything!"
Thank you for your dedication and positive spirit, Amiya!
Written by Emily Booker
Meet Emily Liang! This is Emily's third semester as a mentor and her second semester mentoring at the Kahnawà:ke Survival School, where she is a star mentor! Emily’s positive attitude, motivation, and commitment to the program have made her an extraordinary mentor and valuable member of the Homework Zone community!
When asked about her decision to return to Homework Zone, Emily said “I decided to return for my third semester of Homework Zone because I love the sense of community that it builds. As a McGill student, I don’t get much of an opportunity to explore the greater Montreal area, so volunteering for Homework Zone is a great way to get out of the bubble a little! I get to meet and become friends with a lot of amazing people that I would have never met otherwise, and I am really grateful for it.”
Emily also shared her favourite part of mentoring: “My favourite part of Homework Zone is when I can learn something from my mentee. Some kids are pretty shy at first, and the homework can act as a bit of a conversation greaser as they start to open up and tell me about their likes and dislikes, hobbies, non-school lives, etc. The best part is talking to a student and chancing upon a topic that they’re very knowledgeable and passionate about. Suddenly our roles are reversed: they become the patient and enthusiastic teacher, while I’m getting schooled on the intricacies of Minecraft or Ariana Grande’s wigs. It keeps me young.”
The Homework Zone community is extremely thankful for Emily’s hard work and positivity! Thank you, Emily!!
Meet Emma Graham, an incredible mentor with Homework Zone at Karonhianónhnha Tsi Ionterihwaienstáhkhwa Elementary School.
Currently in U3 and studying History and French, Emma has previously been a Homework Zone mentor at Pierre-Elliott Trudeau and Parkdale Elementary schools for the 2017-2018 school year. Emma has always enjoyed working with youth. In the past, she has volunteered at a daycare centre in Italy and was also a summer camp counsellor. At Karonhianónhnha, she has been helping students in Grade 5 and Grade 6 with their math homework.
Emma has shown that she can adapt to new situations and is willing to offer helping other students who may need it. She has also been putting her creative muscle to work with the students. Last week, she helped her mentees make crowns to go along with their Halloween costumes out of newspaper! Emma's mentees enjoy playing board games with her (specifically SORRY!) and her compassionate and cheerful attitude makes everyone enjoy being around her!
All of us at Homework Zone would like to thank Emma for all the amazing work that she does on a weekly basis, and for returning this semester to volunteer her time once again. We’re looking forward to all that she still has to offer!
Written by Drake D'Souza
Meet Noa Fragneau, one of the wonderful Howard S. Billings High School Homework Zone mentors! Noa, who is originally from the west coast of France came to McGill after also spending a year as an exchange student in the USA. She is currently studying Education as a Kindergarten / Elementary teacher in the French Immersion Program.
Since joining Homework Zone this semester Noa has continually impressed with her enthusiasm, patience and compassion. She is adored and appreciated by all that she works with!
When asked why she comes back to Homework Zone, Noa said “I really want to see [my mentee] succeed in French. I see that he knows what to do and what to say most of the time but doesn’t necessarily trust himself enough which prevent him from developing his French. I see a lot of myself in him and I hope I can help him understand French as well as progressing. It is also a great practice as a future teacher to adapt exercises, practices, and lessons to a specific student’s needs.”
This semester Noa is most proud of the progress her mentee has made thus far. Seeing him believe him in himself more and more each session has made her incredibly proud. She is thrilled to be able to assist in his journey and congratulate him along the way, especially knowing first-hand how difficult the French language could be to pick up.
All of us here at Homework Zone are tremendously thankful for the positivity, dedication and inspiring attitude Noa brings to the program. Thank you Noa!
Written by Emily Booker
Meet Aaron Maccosham, a standout Homework Zone mentor! Aaron is in his second year of Master’s of Science in Epidemiology.
This is Aaron’s third semester as a mentor, he has been a fantastic member of the homework zone community! Last year Aaron participated in the homework helpers’ program at Karonhianonhnha Tsi Elementary School in Kahnawa:ke and this year he is a mentor at the Kahnawake Survival School. During his time in with the program Aaron has continually impressed with his positive attitude, leadership skills and ability to connect with the mentees.
When asked about his decision to return to the program this year, Aaron said “I am excited to be mentoring with Homework Zone at Kahnawake Survival School (KSS)! Last year, I mentored several Karonhianonhnha Grade 6 students. In addition to furthering my connection with the students every week, it was extremely gratifying to watch my mentees improve their grades over the year. It felt as if I was making a meaningful difference in their lives. For my mentees, the new school year brings a transition from elementary school to high school. As such, I thought that the best way to serve my mentees was to also make this transition, but as a mentor! I am looking forward to providing these students with some continuity and mentor new students.”
One of his highlights mentoring it was “when my mentees visited our campus for My Day At McGill! I was late to join the group as I was finishing my final exam. Upon my arrival, being met with the students’ excitement helped me forget my exam worries. Their warm welcome made me feel as if our connection transcended the classroom. For the remainder of their visit, I informed them about the wonderful opportunities at McGill, answered their questions about university life, and their plans for high school.” Thank you for everything you do Aaron!
Written by Chloé Soucy
Ruken is a superstar mentor! She is from Ankara, Turkey. She is in her third year at McGill, studying Psychology. She is committed to her mentees, always showing up to spend time with them. They always leave with smiles on their faces. When asked why she shows up every week to HZ, she said “because I like working and interacting with the kids. I also feel like they’re looking forward to Homework Zone every week, and I wouldn’t want them to think that I don’t care enough to be there every week - even though there might be a valid reason to not be there, it might be harder for the kids to understand and they might just think the mentor doesn’t care. I wouldn’t want them to feel that way.”
Her favorite memory with her mentees is “when we were cleaning up after the newspaper costume activity, I saw a page in one of the newspapers where they had really pretty artwork. My mentees were around me so I said to them, “oh look, these look so pretty”. One of my mentees was joking around and he ripped the page to be funny and we all laughed. Later, another mentee that I was working with that day because their mentor wasn’t here, he found the same page I liked in another newspaper, and was like, “Look, there’s another one. Do you want to keep it?” and that was really cute of him. I still have the newspaper he gave me!”
Ruken handles their high energy with confidence! Thank you Ruken, for your positivity and commitment!
Written by Chloé Soucy
Meet Sana, our Riverview Elementary superstar mentor! Originally from Delhi, India, she is in her first year at McGill, studying Psychology. Though this is her first time mentoring with Homework Zone, Sana has impressed us with her quiet and capable mentorship! She has shown up week after week to support her mentee, and has encouraged him to come out of his shell. Not only is Sana committed to showing up for each Homework Zone session, but she also attended a recent Tutoring Workshop, demonstrating how much Sana cares about being the best mentor for her mentee.
When asked why she keeps showing up to HZ each week, Sana said “I want to make sure my mentee knows I’m going to be there for him, helping him in whatever way I can”. Her fondest memory with her mentee is: “My mentee asked me what my favorite Halloween candy is and said he might bring one next week. He's generally shy and doesn’t talk much with me so this was really surprising and I was glad he was opening up and had started to accept me as a friend which is what I have been wanting from the start!”
Written by Haeun Kim
Meet Elliot! Currently in U1 studying honours in Chemistry and Neuroscience, Elliot was a Homework Zone mentor at Parkdale elementary school in 2018-19. He has always enjoyed helping children with the problems they are going through, whether it be with homework or other aspects of their life. He has experience working with youth in grades 5 and 6, and is currently working with a 12-year-old boy at Verdun Elementary.
He always comes to the sessions with a cheerful atmosphere and tries to lift up everyone’s mood. He skillfully interacts with everyone around him and tries to aid them with their tasks. As an experienced mentor, he is always mindful of his mentee and constantly puts in the effort to show his mentee how supportive he is of them. The empathy and understanding that he offers are truly what makes him an amazing mentor.
His efforts have not gone unnoticed, and from all of us at the Homework zone, we would like to thank Elliot for all the great work he has done during his time with us. We are eager to see what he will accomplish in the future at Homework Zone and beyond!
