About Ms. Karen
With 17 years of experience across diverse educational settings, Ms. Karen is a B.C. and Hong Kong certified teacher. Multi-faceted and trilingual, she offers services in K-12 subject tutoring, IEP support and advocacy, post-secondary roadmaps and applications, and homeschool pathways. She has also taught English as a Second Language, and one of her strongest skill sets is building Math confidence between Grades 3-10, where the sudden climb feels more like a leisurely walk.
Following her passions led her to teach, train, and program-manage in both public and private institutions; from working in inclusive classrooms to teaching in international schools, and even leading a Math program launch at a new tutoring centre. She has also taught English to both young and adult learners and has volunteered across many youth, community, and welfare programs. Her students come from all walks of life. She finds joy when a student lights up, especially when guiding them through moments that require a bit of grit, a new perspective, and motivation. Instilling a growth mindset, along with safety and humour, is where she thrives.
Born in Hong Kong and raised in Vancouver from the age of four, Ms. Karen holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of British Columbia and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education from the University of Sunderland. She is also TESOL-certified and speaks English, Cantonese, and Mandarin.
She works on call with the school board besides tutoring and provides care for her elderly parents. Outside of teaching, she enjoys walks in nature, spending time with loved ones, watching the sunset, and cooking. She has visited over 30 countries and is a proud mom to a 21-year-old meow!
How did Ms. Karen become a private teacher?
What started out as a solution to continue teaching while providing care for her mother opened a window of opportunity to solve large class frustrations and bridge gaps around systemic limitations. Serendipitously, it was a parent from a school where she had taught at noticed then later recruited her privately. This led Ms. Karen up an unexpected career path that grew and fulfilled her true passion: developing and implementing meaningful learning programs while working intimately with families who could not find the support they need.
Fast forward eight years, she still loves what she does and continues to find joy and purpose working alongside families who want to define success and achievement on their own terms.
Why Ms. Karen?
If you or your child feel frustrated or haven’t seen progress navigating school systems, specialists, learning centres, or even homeschooling, talk to Ms. Karen. She cares and is reliable, adaptable, and has knowledge and experience for alternative education. She's also honest; happy to offer what she knows and will never push. She has helped many students and families successfully transition between grades, schools, and even countries; guiding them through the journey and even writing personal recommendation letters for student acceptances.