Chasen Simmons - OCT
Academic Tutoring - Music Lessons - AI Literacy
Ontario-certified educator and former K-12 curriculum leader offering subject-specific, instrumental music, special education support, and AI literacy expertise to children, families, and adult learners in York Region.
About
I am an Ontario-certified educator (OCT) with over a decade of K–12 teaching (in both Elementary and Secondary), system-level curriculum leadership, and large-scale professional learning design. I have a Bachelor of Education from Nipissing University, and a Bachelor of Musical Arts in Saxophone Performance from Western University. I am a graduate of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme at Upper Canada College.
Over the past decade, I have worked as an Elementary and Secondary Educator, Special Education Resource Teacher (SERT), Teacher Candidate Mentor, Department Head of Music, Digital Literacy Consultant, and most recently as a Curriculum Coordinator of Student Success, Secondary Programs, and Secondary Literacy in public education.
Academic tutoring:
All elementary subjects (Grades K-8)
All Grade 9 secondary courses
Most Grade 10 secondary courses
Some Grade 11 and 12 secondary courses
Secondary music courses (Gr. 9-12)
Adult learners
For Grades 10-12 courses, please indicate the course name and/or code using the contact form below. I will confirm fit when I reach out to you.
Music lessons:
Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass Recorder (beginner to advanced)
Saxophone (beginner to advanced)
Flute, Clarinet (beginner to intermediate)
Music Theory (beginner to intermediate)
For all other inquiries, please include details using the form below.
AI Literacy:
AI literacy coaching is available for: Beginner to advanced learners, including children, families, and adults
Using AI in schoolwork (study skills, research, writing support)
Setting AI guidelines at home (appropriate use, ethics)
Working with specific tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Copilot)
AI literacy for adult learners (professionals, returning students)
For all other inquiries, please reach out via the contact form below.
Credentials and Trust
Ontario College of Teachers, in good standing #658944
Principal's Qualification Program, Parts 1 & 2
Special Education Specialist
Honours Specialist, Music
Bachelor of Education, Nipissing University
Bachelor of Musical Arts, Saxophone Performance, Western University
International Baccalaureate Diploma, Upper Canada College
Crisis Prevention Institute Non-Violent Crisis Intervention certified
Current Vulnerable Sector Check (March 2026)
Proud father of two young girls!
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Literacy [+]
As a former K-12 digital literacy consultant who led work on AI in education across a workforce of approximately 8,000 educators, I have expertise in what schools are doing in the age of AI, how they are adapting in planning, teaching, and assessment, how to utilize AI in responsible and appropriate ways, and how educators are working with students to develop their critical literacy and transferable skills. My approach focuses on helping learners with AI tools at home and/or at school (all experience levels), utilizing AI as a learning support tool to deepen learning, and how to use it to help each learner's educational journey.
Multilingual Language Learners (MLL/ESL/ELD) [+]
As a former system-level curriculum leader in K-12 literacy, I bring direct expertise with the Ontario Steps to English Proficiency (STEP) framework, AI-assisted tools for differentiation and accommodations, and the language schools use to assess and support Multilingual Language Learners. My approach recognizes each learner's capacity beneath emerging English, building English fluency through subject content rather than isolated drill, and helping families understand and advocate within the school system.
Special Education Support [+]
As an Ontario Special Education Specialist (ETFO) with direct classroom experience in Autism Spectrum Disorder and Developmental Disability programs, and prior work as a Special Education Resource Teacher, I understand how to design accommodated programming, and translate professional recommendations into practical strategies. My approach focuses on designing accommodated learning that meet learners where they are, building self-advocacy skills and academic confidence, and utilizing Individual Education Plans.