About Us
Karin Holm
Co-Owner
Neil Holm
Co-Owner Administrator Teacher
Karin Holm
Co-Owner
B.A., B.Ed., Dip. F.A.
Certified Orton-Gillingham Therapeutic Practitioner
B.C. Certified Special Education Teacher
Karin Holm graduated from the University of British Columbia in 1991 with a Bachelor of Arts degree, and in 1994, she received her Bachelor of Education in Elementary Education. She also holds a Graduate Diploma in Fine Arts (Music Education) from the University of Calgary and has completed her Graduate Certificate in Special Education at Queen’s University. She is currently pursuing her Master’s of Administration at Queen’s University. With over 30 years of experience as a teacher, Karin has acquired a high level of proficiency in teaching children of all ages and abilities.
Karin is currently a certified member of the Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators and has been designated a Dyslexia Specialist by the International Dyslexia Association. She has continued her studies by participating in courses on English Morphology and Syntax, as well as completing intensive workshops in sentence structure and paragraph writing. Karin has also completed coursework at the Atlantic Seaboard Dyslexia Education Centre in Multisensory Math and a program of instruction in Orton-Gillingham Multi-sensory Basic Academic Math. .
Karin is passionate about teaching children with learning differences and works hard to ensure her students feel success while they build their self-esteem and confidence.
Karen Hayton
Certified with Orton-Gillingham Canada
Dyslexia Practitioner
Karen has been educating children for over 25 years. She began as a preschool teacher in 1995. She then completed her Special Education Assistant training at Capilano University in 2002 and worked as an Educational Assistant for 22 years with the North Vancouver School District. After completing her basic Orton-Gillingham training in 2000, she tutored privately and became certified as a Tutor Associate with the Canadian Academy of Therapeutic Tutors in 2003. In July 2001, she completed Math with Manipulatives, an Orton-Gillingham approach to teaching math. As a Learning Support Worker with the North Vancouver School District, she continued to apply her knowledge as an OG practitioner, working specifically with struggling readers for five years before becoming the Orton-Gillingham tutor at the North Vancouver School District’s Literacy Center. Since moving to the Comox Valley in 2020, Karen has continued to provide literacy support for elementary students while working for the Comox Valley School District. We feel so lucky to have Karen working with us at SOS Tutoring.
Neil Holm
B.A., B.Ed., M.Ed.
Teacher
Neil has worked as a teacher since 1998 in a variety of public-school settings. He has experience with all age groups but mainly worked at the Secondary and Post Secondary levels. For the last 10 years Neil has been working at North Island College in the Department of Accessible Learning teaching students with developmental and mental health challenges. In addition, he has also taught in the Department of Human Services at NIC teaching Students who are pursuing careers as Support Workers and Educational Assistants. He has a Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Geography (SFU), a Bachelor of Education (UBC). He received his Masters of Education Degree in Administration, Counselling and Curriculum Studies (City University, USA) with a focus on Special Education in 2006.
Recently Neil has participated in the Orton-Gillingham 64 hour coursework at the associate level.
Neil believes that the multi-sensory approach for teaching children is the most effective way to connect and allow a child to reach their full learning potential. He will accommodate for all learning differences to provide a constructive and positive learning experience.
Jocelyn Joyce
B.A., M.A., M.Sp.Ed.
Orton-Gillingham Tutor
Jocelyn Joyce is from India and has been in Canada for the past eight years.
She is an accomplished educator and OG (Orton-Gillingham) practitioner with a deep commitment to literacy and inclusive learning. She comes to us with a dual master’s degree in English and Special Education, as well as a bachelor’s degree in English. Her foundation in English studies has provided her with a profound understanding of language, literature, and communication, while her specialization in Special Education has enabled her to support diverse learners with empathy and evidence-based teaching strategies. As an original practitioner, she employs structured, multisensory approaches to assist students—especially those with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences—in developing essential reading and writing skills.
She is passionate about education and strives to create a meaningful impact on students, families, and educational communities.
Kieran Amidon
Academic Tutor, Bachelor of Environmental Science
Kieran comes to us with an extensive background in math and a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Sciences. He has designed and conducted agricultural research in both laboratory and field settings, and has a passion for applied science. He has years of experience as a metal fabricator and proficiency in applying mathematical principles. Kieran has successfully supported students of varying levels in most subject areas and has experience working with neurodiverse students with learning differences and neurological/developmental delays. He has worked as a support worker before beginning his tutoring with SOS. Kieran has a gift for connecting and creating relationships with kids. He is an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys Mountaineering, Skiing, Hiking, and Cycling.
Yogi and Pansy
Therapy Dogs
Available for hugs and cuddles!!!
Yogi joined SOS Tutoring in December of 2019. He enjoys spending time sleeping while the children are having their tutoring sessions. He helps the kids adjust quickly to our tutoring environment by allowing cuddling sessions before and after lessons. He also helps our clients stay calm and regulated when needed. Pansy joined us in December and makes kids smile, helps them with their anxiety by cuddling them and making them laugh.
Get In Touch With Us Today
We are passionate about teaching children with learning differences and works hard to ensure our students are feeling success while they build their confidence and self-esteem.