Who We Are
Building Foundations Tutoring emerged as a response to this urgent need—a specialized tutoring program designed specifically for children whose learning has been disrupted by trauma and instability. What began as a focused initiative to support children within the CAS system has now grown to serve a broader community of children and families facing similar challenges.
About Us
Our Story
Building Foundations Tutoring was born from a profound realization. After four years as an Education Consultant for Highland Shores Children’s Aid Society, Janet Irvine (B.A., M.Ed.) observed a critical pattern: traditional tutoring methods were consistently failing children in the care system.
These children shared a common challenge, fragmented educational histories resulting from multiple moves, school changes, prolonged absences, and unstable life situations. The gaps in their learning weren’t just small hurdles; they were caverns that made conventional education nearly impossible. As Janet witnessed these children falling further behind, she recognized that a fundamentally different approach was needed.
The results of our approach speak for themselves.
On average, after just 42 hours of tutoring, our students advance:
1.45 grade level increase in Sentence Writing Fluency
1.61 grade level increase in Passage Comprehension
1.47 grade level increase in Math Facts Fluency
Beyond these academic gains, we see profound psychosocial impacts. Students develop increased confidence, form healthy relationships with adults, and begin to apply their abilities to daily life, transferable skills that extend far beyond the tutoring session.
As one foster parent shared: “Both of our youth involved in Building Foundations were impacted in a positive way regarding… confidence in their courses that presented challenges and their successful bond with the tutor.”
At Building Foundations Tutoring, we believe that every child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive, regardless of their past experiences. By addressing the unique needs of traumatized brains, we help level the playing field, open up equitable opportunities, and change lives.
Our
Philosophy
We believe that before academic progress can occur, we must first address the unique needs of traumatized brains:
- The traumatized brain struggles with executive functions like focus, organization, and self-regulation. Traditional educational approaches that rely on these functions often fail these children, not because the children lack ability, but because their brains are occupied with survival.
- The traumatized brain may overreact to seemingly neutral events, like a teacher asking for an assignment. These reactions aren’t behavioral problems, they’re communications of an underlying need or distress.
- The traumatized brain often operates in “fight, flight, or freeze” mode. Negative outbursts, mental escape, or complete disengagement aren’t choices—they’re neurological responses to perceived threats.
Our trauma-informed approach recognizes these realities and creates a learning environment that prioritizes safety, trust, and relationship-building as the essential foundations for academic growth.
Our Core Values
Trauma-Informed Teaching - Understanding how trauma affects the brain's ability to learn
Trust Building - Creating safe relationships as the foundation for learning
Individualized Assessment - Using comprehensive testing to identify specific learning gaps
Targeted Instruction - Providing personalized learning plans based on assessment results
Relationship-Based Learning - Prioritizing connections between tutor and student
Academic Growth - Measurable improvement in core academic skills
Integration - Connecting tutoring with school-based support systems
Empowerment - Building confidence and self-efficacy in students
Our Team
Building Foundations Tutoring is proud to be part of Alz Well That Enz Well, Inc., under the leadership of Janet Irvine, B.A., M.Ed., Education Consultant. Our team consists of highly qualified educators who bring both classroom experience and specialized training in trauma-informed approaches.
Most of our tutors belong to the Ontario College of Teachers and have extensive experience working within the education system. This dual expertise—understanding both the academic requirements of the Ontario Curriculum and the unique needs of traumatized learners—allows our tutors to bridge the gap between where students are and where the educational system expects them to be.
Our tutors are more than just academic instructors—they’re relationship builders, advocates, and mentors who understand that the tutor-student relationship is often the key that unlocks a child’s potential for learning and growth.