About Me
Scholarship. Mentorship. Clarity of Thought.
I founded Live and Learn Academy after three decades of university teaching because I saw how many capable students arrive at higher education without the critical thinking and writing skills they need to succeed, and how transformative one-on-one mentorship can be in changing that.
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As a PhD in Social and Political Thought (York University) and lecturer at Toronto Metropolitan University and the University of Toronto, I’ve taught courses in philosophy, literature, and social theory for over 30 years.
Since 2020, I’ve also designed more than 40 online courses in the humanities, training both students and instructors in rigorous, accessible learning.
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My goal now is to make that level of intellectual coaching available to individual students, whether they are preparing for AP exams, tackling their first university essays, or refining graduate-level research.
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My Teaching Philosophy
True education begins when students learn to think for themselves.
I approach tutoring as a collaborative inquiry, one that builds the student’s voice, not replaces it. Each session is structured to cultivate:
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Analytical independence – the ability to question and interpret ideas critically.
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Writing fluency – transforming thought into clear, persuasive expression.
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Intellectual confidence – the courage to engage with complex material authentically.
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Ethical literacy – learning to use digital and AI tools responsibly.
I believe that human reasoning, empathy, and depth of understanding remain irreplaceable in the age of technology — and that these are exactly the capacities we strengthen through the humanities.
Academic and Professional Background
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PhD, Social and Political Thought, York University
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Lecturer, Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University)
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Lecturer, University of Toronto
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Curriculum Developer & Instructional Designer for multiple universities and learning platforms
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Specialist in AP English Literature, AP English Language, Philosophy, and Social Sciences
Who I Work With
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University students needing high-level essay coaching
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Advanced high school students in AP humanities courses
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International students adapting to North American academic standards
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Graduate students preparing applications, theses, or research papers
What Students Say
“Dr. Fountas helped me turn my ideas into writing that finally matched what I was trying to say.”
– Second-Year English Major, University of Toronto
“Her sessions are what I imagine real university tutorials used to be — rigorous, inspiring, and personal.”
– AP Literature Student, Ontario
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