Growing Minds understands that every mind learns differently. Knowing this, the centre has developed an individualized tutoring approach to accommodate the learning needs of any child through one-on-one-tutoring with qualified teachers. “Our expertise is in learning disabilities but we also do regular after-school tutoring for students in grade one to grade 12,” says owner Siham Kodsi.
Siham was an engineer who worked in the corporate world for more than 25 years. In 2000, she decided she wanted to do something different with her life. Her husband is a psychiatrist for children and adolescents, and he often came home with stories of children who weren’t getting the help they needed in the school system. Siham realized she’d found her calling and, with the help of her husband, founded Growing Minds in 2002, to cater to the needs of children who are struggling to succeed in school. “I saw a need for this because of the type of work my husband did,” says Siham.
In addition to a staff of six teachers, the centre also works with a psychologist and psychiatrist to provide additional resources to students who may be struggling with other mental health or emotional issues that may be affecting their learning. “A learning disability could be secondary because there’s anxiety or depression,” says Siham, who has seen kids suddenly make a transformation in their learning abilities after dealing with emotional health issues.
