OISE Student Success Centre (OSSC)

The OISE Student Success Centre (OSSC) is an academic skills and support centre that offers OISE graduate students the opportunity to book one-on-one appointments with an OSSC advisor to improve their abilities in a wide-range of areas.

Our advisors have a range of professional and academic experience. Students are encouraged to consult the advisor profiles below as a guide when booking appointments for a specific subject.

Please note: The OSSC does not edit or proofread assignments for students.

Services

All of the below services are offered by appointment or workshop.

We offer face-to-face meetings and online appointments via Skype. Students can book two appointments per week and can schedule two appointments into the future. Appointments start on the hour and are 45 minutes long.

Academic
writing

Work with an advisor to improve your writing. Get tips on planning, organizing, and revising academic papers.

Presentation
skills

Learn how to improve your
in-class, conference, or lesson delivery presentation skills.

Resume, cover letter and interviews

Book an appointment with a career advisor to get support with your resume, cover letter and interviewing skills.

Math
support

Appointments and workshops are available to help you develop essential math skills that can be put into practice.

English language development

Get instructional support to enhance your speaking, writing, listening, and reading skills from a trained ESL instructor.

International transition advising

Get support related to your transition to Canadian higher education, living in Toronto, and navigating the University of Toronto.

Teacher skills development

Work with an experienced teacher to understand, discuss and develop skills related to lesson planning. Appointments for mock lessons are available for teacher candidates.

French proficiency support

Work with an advisor to improve your speaking, writing, listening, and reading skills in French language.

Graduate student
writing groups

Register to join a writing group who will keep you accountable. Join a community of peers to help you maintain a consistent writing schedule.

Advisor Profiles

Daniel Abramson
Master of Education student, Department of Curriculum, Teaching and Learning

Expertise: Arts-based education, experiential and informal education, garden-based and environmental education
Languages: English, French, Hebrew
Services: Academic writing, curriculum/unit planning and development, creative presentation skills, teacher skills development, resumes and cover letters

View Daniel's Bio

Harriet Akanmori
Doctoral candidate, Department of Social Justice Education

Expertise: Academic writing, qualitative research methodologies, international and ESL/ELL teaching
Languages: English, Japanese
Services: Academic writing, English language development
View Harriet's Bio

Yaseen Ali
Centre for International Experience
Master of Arts graduate, Department of Social Justice Education

Languages: English
Services: International transition advising, English language development
Contact: yaseen.ali@utoronto.ca, 416-708-1208
View Yaseen's Bio

Gabrielle Breton-Carbonneau
Doctoral candidate, Department of Social Justice Education

Expertise: Academic writing and scholarships, working with multicultural learners, ESL/FSL teaching, qualitative research
Languages: English, French
Services: Scholarship applications, academic writing, presentation skills, resumes and cover letters, French language proficiency

View Gabrielle's Bio

Katherine (Katie) Brubacher
Doctoral candidate, Department of Curriculum, Teaching and Learning

Expertise: Experienced OCT certified teacher, working with multilingual learners, academic writing and scholarships, presentation skills, publishing research
Languages: English
Services: Scholarship applications, academic writing, presentation skills, teacher skills development, English language development
View Katie's Bio

Jennifer Calix
Doctoral candidate, Department of Curriculum, Teaching and Learning

Expertise: K-12 international teaching, mathematics education and teaching tool/technology integration
Languages: English
Services: Math advising, Math Concepts Development workshops, career and transition advising
View Jennifer's Bio

Shawna Carroll
Doctoral candidate, Department of Curriculum, Teaching and Learning

Expertise: Academic writing, (post)qualitative research methodologies, anti-colonial theories, queer theories, manuscript preparation, presentation skills, teacher employment preparation
Languages: English
Services: Scholarship applications, academic writing, presentation skills, teacher skills development, resumes and cover letters
View Shawna's Bio

** Please note that Shawna is ver allergic to perfume and it affects her asthma symptoms. Please refrain from using scented products when making an appointment with Shawna**

Jeanette Cepin
Doctoral candidate, Department of Social Justice Education

Expertise: Academic writing, qualitative research methods, sociology of education - childhood and youth, Canadian education, academic publishing, teaching methods, familiarity with applying to school boards
Languages: English
Services: Academic writing, conference/classroom presentation skills, lesson/unit plan development, resumes and cover letters
View Jeanette's Bio

Velta Douglas
Doctoral candidate, Department of Curriculum, Teaching and Learning

Expertise: Academic writing, environmental education, Indigenous education, international ESL teaching experience
Languages: English
Services: Academic writing, English language development
View Velta's Bio

Lucy El-Sherif
Doctoral candidate, Department of Curriculum, Teaching, and Learning

Expertise: Academic writing, coaching English language learners, comparative and international education
Languages: English, Arabic
Services: Academic writing, presentation skills, English language development
View Lucy's Bio

Natalie Geiger (starting Jan 2019)
Doctoral candidate, Department of Leadership, Higher and Adult Education

Expertise: Academic writing, sport and education, student-athletes, experienced learning strategist, qualitative research methodologies
Languages: English
Services: Academic writing, resumes and cover letters
View Natalie's Bio

Michael Koslowski
Doctoral student, Department of Curriculum, Teaching and Learning

Expertise: International and ESL teaching, plurilingualism, oral presentations, adjusting to new educational cultures
Languages: English
Services: Academic writing, English language development, research development, transition advising, presentation skills, teacher skills development, interview preparation
View Michael's Bio

Ximena Martinez Trabucco
Doctoral candidate, Department of Social Justice Education

Expertise: Qualitative research methods, ethnographic techniques, experienced classroom teacher, adjusting to new educational cultures
Languages: English, Spanish
Services: Scholarship applications, organization of ideas for academic writing and scholarships, presentation skills, teacher skills development
View Ximena's Bio

Samantha Samuels
Master of Education student, Department of Applied Psychology and Human Development

Expertise: Career development and exploration, academic writing and presentations
Languages: English
Services: Resumes and cover letters, interview preparation, presentation skills
View Samantha's Bio

Samantha Walsh
Doctoral candidate, Department of Social Justice Education

Expertise: Academic writing, disability and social inclusion, non-profit employment and hiring
Languages: English
Services: Academic writing, resumes and cover letters
View Samantha's Bio

Contact