Meet The Team
Our lovely tutors who work at LS Tuition
Meet Lydia
Lydia is the Founder of LS Tuition and has been working as a Private Tutor since June 2020. Lydia graduated from the University of Strathclyde with a First Class Honours Degree in Primary Education and achieved full registration as a Primary School Teacher. Prior to this, Lydia completed a Higher National Certificate in Early Education and Childcare, achieving a Grade A.
LS Tuition was born out of a desire to make a real difference to children’s lives. Through experience, it became abundantly clear to Lydia that true learning comes only when it is underpinned by strong foundational relationships between teacher and student, a focus on instilling positive self-image, belief, resilience and confidence, and holistic support for the ‘whole’ child, not just the academic aspect of their growth.
This inspiration led to the development of LS Tuition and in January 2022, Lydia fulfilled her dream of opening an in-person Learning Space, dedicated to upholding the values and ethos that LS Tuition has now become known for.
This is why what we do at LS Tuition is so much more than simply teaching curricular content. We work with your children to support them in their personal learning journey; in developing a sense of self, and we know that success in learning comes only when the underlying message is that we care about you as a person.
Psychology tells us that childhood is a period of time which powerfully shapes who we are as people. As such, Lydia is dedicated to working closely with children and their families; to ensure that LS Tuition is providing each and every child with a learning experience that will positively impact through the developmental years, into adulthood and for life.
3 Fun Facts About Lydia
1) Lydia is originally from Greece and speaks fluent Greek! Καλώς ήρθατε στο LS Tuition!
2) Lydia loves to sing! If she had not become a teacher, she probably would have been a singer.
3) Lydia’s favorite films are Moana and Encanto. Anything with a good tune to get her boogying on the sofa.
Meet Mhari-Anne
Mhari-Anne graduated with a Master of Arts in Primary Education at the University of Edinburgh. She has experience working with children across a variety of ages and stages, both in the public and private sectors. In addition to this, she has extensive experience outside of teaching in the classroom including working as a Nursery Practitioner and developing curricular-based maths exercises for a children’s educational company.
Mhari-Anne has recently completed her Masters in Psychology and has become a registered member of the British Psychology Society (BPS). This degree has provided her with insight into children’s development as well as valuable knowledge surrounding children with a variety of behavioural, social, and learning challenges. Mhari-Anne is also eager to continue her studies by partaking in a Masters in Educational Psychology.
Mhari-Anne has undertaken a variety of professional development courses, including World Class Mathematics: Asian Teaching Approaches, from Southampton University, funded by MacMillan Education. This course is designed to support the development of strategies tailored towards fostering algebraic and numerical reasoning in Primary School children’s Math lessons. Additionally, Mhari-Anne has completed Phonics in Early Years training from the Queensland University of Technology. This training provides crucial insight into the best way to teach phonics sounds/patterns from the very start of a child’s learning journey.
Mhari-Anne has recently undertaken a Mental Health Champions Foundation Program which allowed her to study various aspects of Children’s Mental Health, the development of the brain, the adult’s role in supporting positive outcomes, and the harmful social impacts of COVID-19 on children. All of Mhari-Anne’s teaching is geared towards enabling each and every child to develop positive self-esteem and feel confident in themselves and their abilities.
3 Fun Facts About Mhairi-Anne
3) Mhari-Anne’s favourite film is Megamind and she has watched it over 40 times!
Meet Ashley
Ashley has a PGDE in Primary Teaching and has been a passionate teacher for 5 years, working across all ages/stages of the Primary Years. She strives to build strong, supportive relationships with her learners, built on mutual trust and respect.
Ashley is experienced in working with ASN learners having worked as an ASN Support Teacher in a variety of schools for 3 years, prior to working as a mainstream classroom teacher.
Additionally, Ashley has gained a wealth of knowledge and experience in working with children on a one to one/small group basis and catering her learning and teaching to the needs of each student; having worked within various Learning Support Departments throughout her career.
Ashley holds a variety of professional development qualifications including Teaching Literacy, Understanding ASD, Understanding ADHD, Teaching Through Film and British Sign Language (BSL).
Prior to completing her Teaching Degree, Ashley studied Musical Theatre which has provided her with an extensive understanding of the Arts. She enjoys implementing this understanding in individualised ways which encourages and engages her learners. As part of her training in the Arts, Ashley has been closely involved in working with a theatre group designed for individuals with learning difficulties. This allowed her to gain invaluable training in working with a spectrum of ASN, particularly ASD, ADHD and Autism.
All of Ashley’s teaching is supported by the desire to truly make a difference in learners’ lives and to support each child in realising and reaching their full potential.
3 Fun Facts About Ashley
1. Ashley is dog obsessed and has a beautiful Border Collie called Bonnie.
2. Ashley has been dancing since she was 7. She loves Ballroom dancing and has even danced in competitions!
3. Ashley’s favourite film is Pocahontas, and she loves to sing along!
Emily graduated from the University of Edinburgh with a Bachelor of Education (Honours) degree and has experience teaching across all ages and stages.
Throughout her career, Emily gained experience working with children with additional support needs throughout various Summer Schools for charities and demonstrated her ability in delivering individualised instruction based on children’s needs and interests.
For the past 8 years, Emily has taught in a small village school, where building positive relationships with children and their families was at the core of her teaching philosophy. Due to the multi-composite nature of her class, Emily is highly skilled in differentiating lessons and learning materials to meet the needs of every child and has gained extensive experience adapting to diverse learning styles.
Emily has a passion for ‘reading for enjoyment’ and excels in her ability to help instil a love for books in children. She is committed to making a difference in a child’s ability to read with understanding, expression and fluency, and is always at hand to offer a good book recommendation. She believes that if a child states they dislike reading, they haven’t found the right book… yet!
In her second year of teaching, Emily was selected to be a Health and Wellbeing coach where she worked 1:1 with pupils to support their social and emotional needs. Emily’s role was to help build resilience and confidence, so that the children could better focus on their academic goals. Emily has carried this knowledge on throughout her teaching, understanding that children learn best when they feel safe and valued.
Throughout her career, Emily has embarked upon multiple professional development courses including ‘Languages 1+2 and Numeracy Champion. Throughout her Numeracy courses, Emily has explored a range of practical approaches/strategies and the principles behind the effective use of high level tasks and questioning in mathematics that lead to children becoming successful learners.
Emily is a warm and nurturing teacher who strives to create a learning atmosphere where children feel safe to ask questions, be inquisitive and grow in confidence. She uses positive praise and encouragement throughout all her work and ensures that all children meet their full potential by providing stimulating lessons where they can grow physically, mentally, emotionally and socially.
3 Fun Facts About Emily
Emily began dancing at the age of 2 and even taught dance with the British Ballet Organisation.
Emily loves musicals. Her favourites are Wicked, Chicago and The Bodyguard.
Emily is a major ‘Swiftie’!
Meet the Admin Team
Meet Ali
Our wonderful Ali keeps things running in the background every day!
Ali is a qualified secondary school teacher with a Master’s in Education, specializing in Additional Support Needs and Inclusive Practice. She has worked with children and young people for the past 20 years and truly connects with the LS Tuition core values and ethos.
Alongside this, Ali has extensive experience working in administration and is the most organised person we know!
Fun Fact:
Ali LOVES Pilates and credits her physical health to this!
Meet Natalie
Natalie is our marketing and social media manager!
Natalie studied Photography and Graphic Design at University, and has worked in Communications ever since.Her main focus in her photography practice was documentary photography and she can’t wait to start travelling the world again for this!
Natalie also used to work with the Lothian Autistic Society Playscheme in Summer and Easter holidays, taking kids swimming, trampolining and to the park!
Fun Fact:
Natalie and Lydia actually went to School together and became friends in choir!
Meet Marissa
Marissa is our website manager and also works on our digital marketing. She has been working with LS Tuition since 2023 and loves being part of such a fun and friendly team.
Marissa has been working in web design and online marketing for over 10 years. She loves building beautiful websites that help businesses share their work with the world. She also holds a BA Scottish Music from the RCS and has been a well respected and sought after music tutor for nearly 20 years.
Marissa stays busy with her young family and dog and loves the work she does!
Fun Fact:
Marissa loves powerlifting and getting lost in a good book.