About Us
If Interested in tutoring please email for a spot on our waitlist for September 2023.


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 Diploma in Fine Arts (Music Education) from the University of Calgary and completed her Graduate Certificate in Special Education at Queen’s University. With almost 30 years experience as a teacher, Karin has acquired a high level of proficiency teaching children of all ages and abilities.
Karin is currently a certified member with the Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators and has been designated a Structured Literacy Dyslexia Interventionist by the International Dyslexia Association. She has continued her studies by participating in courses on the subject of English Morphology and Syntax, as well as completing intensive workshops in the study of 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 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.

Corey H. Robertson
Bachelor of Arts in English
Orton-Gillingham Therapeutic Tutor
Corey completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in English in 1996 at the University of Victoria. In 2002, she received intensive training in Orton Gillingham multisensory therapeutic language and literacy tutoring at The Tutoring Program, a unique community-based program sponsored by Malaspina University / VIU, and hosted by Parksville’s Career Centre.
She has been tutoring Vancouver Island students using the Orton Gillingham approach ever since!
In addition to six years with The Tutoring Program, Corey has worked with children and youth at places such as Parksville’s Society of Organized Services, and at the Learning Disabilities Association of BC’s Learning Curve in Victoria.
Working exclusively in private practice since 2019, Corey made the move to the Comox Valley in March 2022 in order to be near family.



Neil Holm
B.A., B.Ed., M.Ed.
Tutoring in Training
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 to become an Associate with the Academy of Orton Gillingham Practitioners and Educators while he completes his practicum.
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.



Lana Henley
B.A., B.Ed., Diploma of Special Education, M.Ed.
Teacher/Educational Consultant
Lana brings over 12 years of experience in a variety of learning support positions working in all levels of public education. She completed her Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Care from Douglas College in 2009 and continued onto Simon Fraser University to complete her Bachelor of Education in 2010. With an interest in Inclusive Education and working with students with learning differences, Lana completed her Special Education Teacher Specialty Post-Degree Diploma at Vancouver Island University in 2015. Lana has completed her Master of Education (Inclusive Education) at VIU and focused her research specifically on the Orton-Gillingham approach. In 2018, Lana completed the 80-hour Orton-Gillingham instructor course. She is now working through her 100-hour Associate practicum while being mentored by a Fellow of the Academy with over 35 years of experience.
Lana is on a continual path of professional growth with a passion for establishing authentic relationships with her students. Along with using the Orton-Gillingham approach she celebrates individualism, uses strengths-based learning, and strives to have her students grow equally in their skills and confidence.


Lorelei Holm
B.Ed., M.Ed.
Teacher/Educational Consultant
Lorelei received a Bachelor of Education Degree from the University of Saskatchewan and has served as a teacher and educational leader in both Public and Independent school systems for the past 25 years. Most notably, her experience has been as a classroom teacher for grades 1, 2, 4, and 6, school French teacher Kindergarten-gr.7, Humanities 9 and English 12 teacher.
During this time her teaching reports were punctuated with statements such as “kind”, “caring”, “has tremendous compassion and love for children” and “a true gift of creativity”. Lorelei’s classroom teaching experience allowed her to develop into a master teacher with a diverse and impressive skill set, knowledge of current BC. curriculum and an impeccable performance record. Her professional growth focused on Literacy Development and multi-sensory strategies using the Orton Gillingham approach and course work in the Provincial Outreach Program for Autism and Related Disorders (POPARD).
After completing her Master’s Degree in Educational Administration, Lorelei went on to assume leadership roles as a Learning Resource Teacher and Department Head in 3 Independent Schools of Vancouver where she was responsible for overseeing student IEP’s and support staff of Education Assistants. In her capacity as a Resource Teacher, Lorelei was able to more than double Special Education funding and enhance much needed support and interventions for a number of students with special needs. The aforementioned strong teaching performance record, successful and broad experiences in leadership-oriented pursuits as a Vice Principal, and a desire to grow her competencies as an educational leader, led Lorelei to successfully pursue a position
of Principal at a French Immersion school in Vancouver.
Lorelie has completed the Associate Level Orton-Gillingham Course through the Fraser Academy in Vancouver with the Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators. She has completed one of Marilyn Wardrop’s OG math courses and will continue her studies of multi-sensory math teaching with Maralyn in the Fall by taking her OG Academic Math course.
Lorelei and her husband Eric recently moved to the Comox Valley. Now retired from full time teaching and administration, Lorelei is excited to put her knowledge and experience to good use as a freelance educational consultant and tutor. Her passion has always been in helping students reach their full potential, particularly students who experience barriers or learning challenges.

Koji was raised in Japan and Vancouver and now enjoys living in the Comox Valley. He has been working as a Youth Support Worker for 5 years. Koji is experienced with supporting neurodiverse children and youth with behavioural challenges. Since he has a passion and heart for the indigenous culture and peoples, he and his wife Jaimee started the Young Eagles Camp for at-risk Indigenous youth across North Vancouver Island communities. Koji has too many hobbies to count and enjoys participating in a variety of sports with the students at SOS and strives to be a role model for the next generation.
Jaimee comes from the Klahoose/Homalco and We Wai Kai First Nation on Vancouver Island. Jaimee started working with SOS in 2022 and brings a gentle, patient, and kind demeanour with the ability to make students feel welcomed. Jaimee is an ambassador of her culture and founded the non-profit Young Eagles camp for at-risk Indigenous youth across North Island communities which has been running since 2017. Jaime enjoys baking goodies for the students and doing creative activities at SOS. She works as an Indigenous liaison for SOS helping us create a more authentic Indigenous experience for our students in “Out of the Box”. Jaimee always looks forward to working with a diverse bunch of students and is proud to be working on her traditional Salish territory.

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.
If Interested in tutoring please email for a spot on our waitlist for the 2024/2025 school year.
Email:
karin.holm@sostutor.ca