Our Teachers

The Heart of Dragonfly Education

Through small-group classes and personalised attention, we ensure that every learner receives focused guidance and meaningful feedback. Our educators provide clear direction, consistent progress monitoring, and encouragement at every stage of development.

By combining expertise with patience and care, our teachers create a supportive environment where children feel safe to take risks, build resilience, and develop a lasting confidence in reading and writing.

Our teachers are the foundation of everything we do. Each member of our team is highly trained, certified, and deeply committed to helping young learners grow in confidence, capability, and academic skill.

We believe effective literacy instruction begins with truly understanding the individual child. Our teachers carefully assess strengths, identify areas for growth, and create structured, research-based learning plans tailored to each student’s needs.

Dedicated Educators.

Meaningful Impact.

Our teachers are more than instructors, they are mentors who believe in the potential of every child. With professional training and years of classroom experience, they know how to provide the right balance of structure and support.

Through personalised guidance and small-group learning, our team creates a nurturing environment where students grow in skill, confidence, and independence.

John Burrill

John is a Canadian-certified teacher with a Master of Education in English as a Second Language and over 7 years of experience teaching multilingual learners in top international schools in Oman and China. He holds a Bachelor of Education from the College of New Jersey, where he specialized in ESL instruction. Passionate about language acquisition and literacy, John brings a calm, engaging, and structured approach to his work with K–5 students. His lessons are designed to build confidence in English speaking and support strong reading and writing skills. John is especially skilled at helping students navigate the challenges of learning in a second language through clear routines and supportive guidance. Outside of the classroom, John enjoys cycling and spending time with his two cats. He is committed to creating an inclusive learning space where all children feel heard, capable, and encouraged.

Courtney Sidsworth

Courtney is a Canadian-certified teacher with over 14 years of experience supporting young multilingual learners in top-tier international schools across South Korea, Oman, and China. She holds a Bachelor of Education from Lakehead University and a Master’s in Curriculum Studies from the University of New Brunswick, along with TESL certification from TESL Ontario. Specializing in phonics instruction and language development, Courtney uses a structured, research-based approach to help K–5 students build confidence in reading, writing, and English speaking. Her lessons are interactive and engaging, grounded in best practices for literacy and multilingual learning. Courtney currently lives in Thailand with her husband and two cats. She is passionate about nature, sustainability, and helping children thrive through joyful, meaningful learning experiences.

Amelia Yan

Amelia is a Canadian-certified teacher with over 11 years of experience teaching K–5 students in Canada, China, and Macau. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Greek and Roman Studies from Carleton University, a Bachelor of Education from the University of Ottawa, and a Master’s in Museum Studies from the University of Toronto. An Ontario Certified Teacher, Amelia has spent over a decade supporting multilingual learners in top international schools, specializing in phonics instruction, reading development, and building confidence in English speaking. Her teaching style is kind, structured, and engaging, rooted in inclusive practices that help every child feel seen and supported. Amelia is a native English speaker and conversational Mandarin speaker (B2), which helps her connect with students and families across cultures. Outside of teaching, she enjoys reading and taking long walks with her two dogs.

Lucas Coburn

Lucas is a native-speaking EFL teacher from Manchester in the United Kingdom. Over the last 7 years, Lucas has taught and tutored hundreds of students of all ages - from 5 to 75. With a dedicated focus on making learning fun, Lucas strives to keep his students engaged and enjoying their classes. He also has experience working with students with additional complex needs, such as ADHD and Autism. Lucas' firmest belief is that everyone can learn, and everyone can be taught - there is no limit to what he will do to ensure his students achieve their best educational outcomes and potential. To Lucas, teaching is a blessing, and it is one he hopes to share.

Richard Hamel

Richard is a U.S. state-licensed English teacher with over 30 years of experience teaching reading, writing, discussion, and debate to upper elementary, middle school, and high school students. He holds multiple degrees from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, including a Master’s degree in Education, and has taught in top international schools such as the International School of Bangkok.
Throughout his career, Richard has taught literature, persuasive writing, and AP Language and Composition, guiding students to think critically, support ideas with textual evidence, and communicate with clarity and confidence. He also has extensive experience teaching students online and working with learners from diverse international backgrounds.
Richard currently offers advanced reading, Socratic discussion, debate, and persuasive writing courses for students in Grades 5–8. He combines a lifelong passion for literature with decades of classroom experience to help students become thoughtful readers, confident speakers, and powerful writers.

Private Classes

Our Classes

Don’t think small-group classes are right for your child? We also offer private classes, where your child can learn individually with one of our qualified teachers.

Educational research shows that small-group classes are the most beneficial and engaging for young learners. At Dragonfly Education, we are proud to offer small-group classes of 2 to 5 students. These classes

Small-Group
Classes

At Dragonfly Education, we offer two types of learning experiences to our students: small-group classes and private classes. Read more about each option below to decide which class format is best for your learner.

Students receive high-quality instruction at a lower cost than private sessions.

Offers an affordable experience

Motivates and engages

Develops real-world skills

Group energy highly motivates students and keeps them accountable. It drives them to perform their best.

Students are motivated to practice speaking, discussion, and collaboration skills with other members of the group.

Fosters communication and social interactions

Students are motivated to practice speaking, discussion, and collaboration skills with other members of the group.

Students feel encouraged to speak up and participate with other students, boosting their confidence.

Builds confidence

Provides a supportive community

Students interact with peers and form bonds with them, which makes learning more enjoyable and successful.

Enroll In A Private Class

Enroll In A Group Class

Learn About Our Program