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Great Brain Learning

because it takes a spark to light a fire

Welcome

Using evidence to guide every lesson, we leave no stone unturned in the quest to understand a learner’s strengths, needs and next steps, to create and realize life-long goals and dreams for a bright and productive future.

Neuroscience-informed educational design (teaching the way the brain learns) can promote learning motivation, high-level information processing, and knowledge retention. (Goldberg, 2022)

Dr. June says: "Evidence-based practice allows students to reach their potential. Every. Single time."

Background

Dr June Starkey began teaching in 1987, and she spent 17 years teaching in the public system in Ontario. She soon realized that the best way to ensure learning was to use teaching methods and strategies that have been proven effective through empirically-validated findings. Dr June founded her learning clinic in 2006 based on this data-driven approach. Great Brain Learning is the only bilingual and evidence-based teaching practice in Ontario.

Personalized learning

On a daily basis Dr June re-connects each learner with their capacity to learn by teaching awareness - of their learning process and their successful results. She uses evidence-based practices to show students that they can learn. For learners who may have experienced little success in formal learning environments, this experience is often a profound paradigm shift. This metacognitive approach fundamentally and permanently changes the learning trajectories for learners of all ages, from Kindergarten to graduate school and beyond.

Expertise

Dr June's doctoral research in descriptive feedback, assessment, and motivation theory fuelled her development as a teacher of learning and this research has led to new understandings about learning and achievement. We primarily focus on Language Arts (literacy) and Math (numeracy), but literacy and numeracy skills have implications for all subjects - sciences, history, geography, and have direct applications to math and critical thinking.

More Information

We teach every learner how to thrive

the game changer

Metacognition

When a learner is given opportunities to think intentionally about what they’re learning, they become aware of what is happening around them, and they can notice what they’re learning in those moments. That awareness of one’s own thinking process is called metacognition.

Developing metacognitive awareness is the cornerstone to developing confidence in learning. Metacognition matters because when learners see evidence that they can learn, everything becomes possible. 

At Great Brain Learning we know that student-teacher interaction is critical to building growth and encouraging progress with every student. We cultivate engagement and curiosity for learning with every learner in every lesson.

But how do you change a learning trajectory?

At Great Brain Learning, we collect meaningful data with the learner, then we design a plan to get where we need to go, using the provincial curriculum where the learner is located, whether that is in Ontario, New Brunswick, British Columbia, or anywhere else in Canada

We are curriculum experts in literacy, numeracy and their direct applications to physical science, social science and critical thinking. The confidence needed to learn new things is truly within your grasp–with a plan and a coach to chart the way your future is bright.

Our mission

We are passionate about learning so we care deeply about teaching

Dr June’s research about feedback for learning shows that when students are given coherent, descriptive feedback and opportunities to understand how to use feedback – they are able to improve their work. Students who struggle can indeed bridge the gaps, make progress and achieve phenomenal success in lifelong learning, whether that is in top-rated post-secondary educational programs of all kinds across Ontario, Canada, the US and Europe, or internships, apprenticeships and start-ups in their chosen field.

We are committed to building partnerships with parents to nurture diverse learners and to create spaces where families can learn together and grow strong. More than ever we are reminded of our vision to promote excellence in learning for all. This is a time for leadership, and we hear a strong and fervent call to action. As a leader in learning, we continue to listen and learn, knowing that inequalities in our society must be addressed so that ALL children and young people can participate and learn.

The difference is the empathy​

We walk with every learner every step of the way, using data to guide every instructional decision​

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Taking a stand against racism

Great Brain Learning is founded on the principles of equity, inclusion, and individual difference. For 17 years we have committed ourselves to the work of building a brighter future with and for young people and their families of all races, religions, sexual orientations and physical and mental capabilities. As a privately funded agency that serves children and families, we passionately welcome, celebrate and value our diverse community of clients and their families.
 
Our culture is profoundly affected by the racism that is deeply rooted in systemic practices and is all too real for many young people and their families. We recognize that anti-Black and anti-Indigenous racism – and indeed ALL racism causes significant disparities in quality of life including income, education, housing, health, wellness and safety, and that these factors significantly and negatively impact people’s well-being.
 
At Great Brain Learning, we are taking steps to reach out to those who are underserved and/or who may be experiencing barriers to accessing support. For 17 years we have provided scholarships to students who would otherwise not have been able to access specialized help for learning. We are expanding these scholarship opportunities to include more young people K-16+ so that more young people have places to thrive in our world.
 
In the days to come we will be adding resources for families, which will include information on how to talk about racism and violence, with your children.

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We teach every learner how to thrive

In more than 3 decades of teaching at all levels of schooling, from Kindergarten to post-graduate university in Ontario, Canada, I have seen the best of what happens at school. This is one of the reasons I decided to open a private learning clinic. For the last 18 years, I have worked with learners and their families located in a handful of school boards and in more than a dozen independent schools across the province–LIVE and online. I am an award-winning educator, academic coach and educational consultant at Great Brain Learning, and I’d love to hear from you. Reach out! Together, we can be the change. Dr June
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What clients are saying about Dr June's coaching

You gave him everything he needed to succeed."
MJ, Parent​
MJ, Parent​
"What left an impression on me after meeting June for the first time was becoming aware of how my own perceptions affected my motivation to learn. My outlook on learning has drastically changed since my fortunate encounter with June Starkey." 
3rd year undergraduate student
3rd year undergraduate student
"Your teaching is priceless. Thank you for giving me such power to help my sons."
Parent of two school-aged boys
Parent of two school-aged boys
"You show him that he can take risks--and he does--and he succeeds! How do you do that? Thank you, June!"
Parent of a Grade 11 student
Parent of a Grade 11 student
"Many, many thanks. We are so appreciative of the extraordinary work you do."
Parent of 2 students, Grade 6 and Grade 12
Parent of 2 students, Grade 6 and Grade 12
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  • Our Address
    415 Bloor St West
  • Toronto, ON
    M5S 1X6 Canada
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