Annette: Folsom tutor

Certified Tutor

The most profound learning happens when students connect classroom theory to real-world impact. I make this connection tangible. Having worked in displacement crises firsthand in Canada, with lived experience in 30+ countries, I transform abstract concepts into concrete understanding. My academic journey includes a Master of Arts in Refugee Protection and Forced Migration with Distinction from the University of London, a Public Policy Analysis Certificate from the London School of Economics and Political Science, and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, Applied Science, with a Minor in Women's Studies from Simon Fraser University.

Currently, I serve in communications and engagement for a regional government. I manage emergency preparedness initiatives and government to government relations. My professional background spans international law, refugee protection, internal displacement policy, and crisis communications. This includes experience as an Information Officer in Emergency Operations Centers where every word matters.

I specialize in tutoring international law, human rights, forced migration studies, gender and women's studies, policy analysis, academic writing, and professional communications. My favourite subjects? International refugee and displacement law, Indigenous sovereignty, and feminist theory. These fields ignite passion. They allow students to engage with pressing global challenges while developing frameworks for creating positive change. I particularly enjoy helping graduate students refine their research methodologies and undergraduate students discover their voice.

Critical analysis. Ethical reasoning. Practical application. These drive my teaching philosophy. I bring firsthand field experience to theoretical concepts, whether discussing UNHCR operations, analyzing state sovereignty and externalization practices, or examining how gender intersects with displacement. As a published writer and professional editor, I excel at helping students craft compelling arguments. Academic papers, policy briefs, and professional communications all require precision and persuasion.

My teaching is a living expression. Drawing from diverse experiences like developing international curriculum and facilitating wellness programs worldwide, I create inclusive learning environments that respect all perspectives and learning styles. K-12 to adult professionals. This range enables me to make complex material accessible while maintaining rigorous academic standards.

I strive to prepare students not just for exams but for meaningful, engaged, critical thinking - every day.

When I'm not tutoring, I find balance through daily meditation and yoga practices cultivated from a lifetime of study, practice, and travels throughout Asia and Latin America. I'm always reading something, magical realism to lived experience refugee narratives, and love editing papers and policies. Nature is my sanctuary, whether running in forests, practicing yoga outdoors, or swimming in the ocean. My playlists include everything from world music to slow produced house. I'm also a political podcast junkie, listening to analysis on global affairs and human rights on the regular. These passions keep me curious and bring fresh energy to every tutoring session.