OUR TEAM

About Symbols

The Symbols Multisensory Learning Centers Team

Kimberley and Rob Wahl co-founded Symbols in 2006, and continue to co-own and co-manage Symbols to this day.

kimberly wahl symbols learning
kimberly wahl symbols learning

Kimberley Wahl, Director of Education

Kimberley mentors and trains our tutors, oversees lesson quality, creates multisensory tutoring materials and manages student intake and scheduling. She holds a BA in Sociology from UBC, is a certified Orton-Gillingham remedial tutor, and holds several additional certificates in multisensory tutoring, including the two levels of math, colour-coded grammar, multisensory typing and others.

In addition to her work within Symbols, Kimberley serves in an official advisory capacity to the board of the BC Learning Centers for Children with Dyslexia, a non-profit group that offers free OG-based tutoring for families unable to afford private help. Kimberley is also a founding member of the m̓am̓ikáas group, a non-profit organization that is helping Indigenous literacy for children of the Haisla Nation near Kitimat. She also serves as a tutor mentor for CATT, the Canadian Orton-Gillingham accrediting body.

Kimberley lives in Vancouver with her husband Rob, and their three wonderful daughters Grace, Valerie and Madeleine.

Rob Wahl, Director of Business Management

Rob is responsible for designing, implementing and managing the business and administrative functions at Symbols. This includes oversight of accounting, marketing, technology and human resources. He holds a BCom and MBA, both from UBC, where he also worked for several years in his previous life as a Network Administrator and then an IT Auditor.

In addition to his work at Symbols, Rob sits on the board of the Terminal City Club, where he is also a member. The Terminal City Club is a world-class private members business, social and fitness club in the heart of downtown Vancouver.

Rob loves to cook, ski, play squash, work out in the gym and spend time with family and friends. He also spends his time on seemingly-never-ending home improvements, and being involved with his daughters' ski racing programs.

Rob lives in Vancouver with his wife Kimberley, and their three wonderful daughters Grace, Valerie and Madeleine.

rob wahl symbols learning
rob wahl symbols learning

Meet Our Orton-Gillingham Tutors

In addition to all Symbols tutors being OG trained, all of our tutors hold an undergraduate degree at minimum, with some holding additional degrees and credentials, including graduate degrees and teaching certificates. Finally, our tutors are awesome! More than anything else, we hire based on personality. Great tutors have the ability to relate to and engage a wide range of children. The right personality makes tutoring effective and fun. Meet them below!

Chelsea A

Hi! I’m Chelsea. I’ve been a part of the Symbols team since 2015! Before joining the Vancouver location, I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from the University of British Columbia. During my undergrad, I began volunteering...

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Alysha B

Hello, my name is Alysha! I am a graduate from Brock University with my Bachelor's degree in English. After living my whole life in Ontario, I packed my car up and made the drive to B.C. with aspirations of becoming a teacher. I've been tutoring...

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Elisabeth B

Hi! My name is Elisabeth and I am passionate about helping others reach their full potential. This passion was reinforced during my high school years when I became a tutor. I then went on to study psychology at the University of British Columbia...

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Hannah B

Hello! I'm Hannah. I have a Bsc degree in Psychology and a qualification to teach English as a second language. I'm currently studying for a masters in counselling and work at Symbols part-time. I love meeting and getting to know new students,...

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Daniela C

Hello, my name is Daniela and I am happy to be working here at Symbols. I am a Simon Fraser University graduate, where I did my Master's degree in Educational Leadership. I have been here in Vancouver for four years now. I am happy to be working...

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Your Student’s Experience with Symbols Multisensory Learning Centers

We specialize in helping kids with learning differences (or learning difficulties), such as dyslexia, dysgraphia and dyscalculia, ADHD, processing difficulties, output challenges, autism, and speech difficulties.

Orton-Gillingham Tutors

All Symbols tutors are fully trained in the Orton-Gillingham approach, either through our own comprehensive OG training program, or through outside certification (including CATT and AOGPE). Learn more about the OG Method here.

Create a Unique Student-Tutor Experience

Our well-trained Orton-Gillingham tutors in our Vancouver, Coquitlam, Richmond and Langley locations create and tailor a multi-modality experience for each lesson component by connecting sight, sound, touch and motion. This ensures that those with difficulties can experience, understand and master the material to their fullest potential.

Tutors Follow Student-Led Learning Through Monitoring and Planning

Lesson plans are always based on the student’s response and progress. This means our time is both diagnostic and prescriptive. Our instructors are always monitoring how the student is responding to each task and planning based on that information, making lesson plans flexible to each individual’s unique rate of progress and profile. With our tutor's help, your child will quickly see progress, and this will in turn increase their confidence. This is our passion and this is our goal.

Book Your Child’s First Language or Math Tutoring Class Today

In-person lessons in our centers aren't always practical or possible. Our online lessons offer the same 1-to-1, individualized, multisensory format as our in-person lessons, and include a free multisensory home learning kit delivered to your door.