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, and in 1994, she received her Bachelor of Elementary Education. She also has a Fine Arts (Music Education) Diploma from the University of Calgary and completed her Graduate Certificate in Special Education at Queen’s University. With 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 course work 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 currently finishing her Masters of Education at Queen’s University.
Karin is passionate about teaching children with learning differences and works hard to ensure her students are feeling success while they build their self-esteem and confidence.
Karen Hayton
Certified with Orton-Gillingham Canada
Dyslexia Practitioner
Karen has been educating children for 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 use her knowledge as an OG practitioner working specifically with struggling readers for 5 years before becoming the Orton Gillingham tutor at 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 Comox Valley School District.
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.
Katherine Hallam
B.P.E., B.Ed.
Language Arts Specialist
Katherine completed her first year as an Orton-Gillingham Associate Level tutor in training and homeschool Language Arts/English support teacher at the same time she finished her first year in Canada. After 18 years spent teaching at private schools in Singapore, it was necessary to return. When abroad, professional opportunities included participating in a summer writing program at Columbia in New York; attending IB conferences in Adelaide and Hong Kong; and co-presenting a workshop with Dianna Pratt on responsible digital citizenship at EARCOS Philippines, a conference for international teachers in Asia-Pacific.
Establishing relationships through play and discussion are Katherine’s strengths. Her goal is to foster confidence, independence and joy in young people as they navigate learning the complexity of reading and writing.
Philosophically, she believes all learning comes down to two principles: having good communication skills and knowing when to take risks. Putting that into practice, she anticipates becoming a certified Dyslexia Interventionist in the next year.
Kieran Amidon
Math and Science 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 work in laboratory and field settings and has a passion for applied science. He has years of experience as a metal fabricator and experience with the application of mathematics. Kieran is familiar with the math curriculum up to grade 10 and has experience working with the neurodiverse student with learning differences and neurological/developmental delays. He has worked as a support worker prior to beginning his tutoring with SOS. Kieran has successfully implemented a Multi-Sensory Grammar and Writing program with students who have learning differences, including dyslexia and dysgraphia, and he 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.