After finishing two years of studies at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Nick left rural civilization to take on the concrete jungle of Toronto to complete his History, English and Education degrees at York University. Apart from his classes, Nick ran an education news press as well as writing and editing magazines at York University. Currently he is the publicist for Toronto’s online theatre publication, ‘The Theatre Reader’. When he’s not busy critiquing theatre pieces or filling a student position in the Dean’s office of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies at York University, you can usually find him swapping paint colors for his condo or picking out new outfits and man purses for his future Pomeranian, Efron. Ready to work with Nick? Get in touch with him on HelpHub or learn more about him below: Twitter: @elliscatania Instagram: @nicolanti Education: York University, Honors Bachelors of Arts and Bachelors of Education Hardest class ever taken: Grade 11 Advanced Functions, hands-down. I run the other way when I see anything remotely having to deal with numbers and strange rules. I despise authority, but Math is the reason I’m not an architect! I’m creative and can add spunk to an interior, but you wouldn’t want me measuring out buildings. How long have you been tutoring/teaching: As of January, I have been tutoring students for five years. I began assisting French students in high school and have recently completed my placement with gifted and AP students in History. I also taught Dramatic Arts back in Thunder Bay for two years while running a non-profit organization at the age of eighteen, but that is another story for another day. What do you like most about tutoring/teaching? This will sound cliché, but I absolutely adore helping people. I really enjoy fostering growth and expanding critical thinking. Tracking the student’s progress is the best part because many will not view this as an accomplishment. You could say I enjoy making a positive difference in peoples lives simply through challenging the way people think…now that’s an educated answer! (See R.S. Peters, 1965, p. 110) What made you decide to major in History and English? Well funny enough, I had no choice. I wanted to focus on Theatre Studies and even applied to various schools for this but was given the ultimatum of choosing something more "practical." I have a strong background in the Performing Arts but also an adoration and skill for Historical Studies. I was terrible at English during high school, but I’ve since sharpened my knowledge and writing technique with proven sessional academic achievement (I’m on the list!). Anything is possible. Favorite school memory? Coming to York University. Lakehead University was a great establishment but I was isolated to the bush. My high school and elementary experiences were also anything but pleasant. Both the university and Toronto are highly accepting spaces to live in and explore with expanded opportunities and personal independence. This gave me the needed power I deserved and I have since used it to my advantage. I really enjoy fostering growth and expanding critical thinking. Tracking the student’s progress is the best part because many will not view this as an accomplishment. Favorite subject in school? Even though we may not have the greatest history despite what people think, I really enjoy all of my Canadian History courses simply because it is something I can connect with. It’s always good to learn about the land you live on, but the social history is my favorite. People are always arguing, thus making political history too dry. I like flavor in my History! Favorite late night snack? Water. I used to weigh close to 220lbs about four years ago. I struggled with weight related issues my entire life. Never eat three hours before bed because your stomach won’t digest properly! However, if you were to catch me lingering through the cupboard after dark, I would probably be heading for the artisan crackers and sun-dried tomatoes…I love tomatoes, it must be the European heritage. Favorite book? If I could pass on one piece of literature, it would have to be Danzy Senna’s, Caucasia. The story takes place during the 1970s in Boston, MA. I could say more but the racial/gender/sexual critiques that this book takes on, are astounding given the time and setting it’s placed within. You’ll fall in love with Birdie, that’s all I will say! Worst part-time job you’ve ever had: I used to work outdoors in maintenance for the past five summers. It paid really great, but the work environment was far too machismo. I’d rather exercise my brain than my muscles - I can do that at the gym. I’m constantly thinking and I’m far too pretty to make a career out of physical labor. Favorite thing about your summer so far? I recently moved into a downtown condo back in May. I made a major life decision and have found it to be completely worth the risk, especially considering I am not one to be spontaneous. I also make friends with the concierges…we have a great relationship. They only buzz the door open for me! Favorite way to study? This is going to sound like horrible advice, but I watch movies. My learning skills are largely shaped towards the visual. If I see it, I can conceptualize it better and devise a more precise judgement rather than simply reading from a page. I specifically do this with Shakespeare plays and historical pieces to better "get in that time." I remember watching Mankiewicz’s 1963, Cleopatra with Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton for my Roman History class. I’m not a classics person at all, so this got me in the mood. Plus, who doesn’t love Elizabeth Taylor? Subject/trade to learn separate from your major? Math! I wish my mind could think mathematically, or rather, I wish I could commit to taking on serious Math skills. I have no interest in Science opposed to Human Anatomy, but I would love to be drafting and designing skyscrapers, houses and buildings. Oh well, maybe in another life. I’ll just take up gardening for the time being. Study anywhere in the world for free? I would go straight to Italy, not just one city but right up the peninsula. Everything from the art, history and culture just pulls me in that direction. Plus, I have roots in the Mediterranean, not to mention my last name is a city in Sicily…by all means though, stay clear of that area-it’s rough! If given the means, I would take on Fashion studies. Such a sweeping change, but I love Italian designers and the power of dress. Everyone from Valentino to Donatella Versace; they’re so elegant and posh, I’m enraged with envy. Best advice give by a teacher or mentor? When I was attending Lakehead University, my favourite professor Dr. Rhonda Dubec always used to remind our class that: "the only thing you have to do in life is die." Life is short, but it’s also what you make of it. Don’t waste your time. See the world, share experiences and create positive change. The world is yours if you commit and apply yourself. Just watch me, I’m going to marry into the Royal Family some day! To connect with Nick, sign up for HelpHub and start chatting with him and thousands of other tutors now!

If you’re a book lover, beachcomber and travel extraordinaire, then you’ll want to add each of these little literary spots to your list. In the last few years, there’s been a growing trend of libraries right on the sand, offering reading material to all manner of sun worshippers. We’ve rounded up some of the best spots around the world to browse and borrow a beach read or two! 1. Coogee Beach Library in Sydney, Australia Head south for the winter and dive into some great novels on the shores of Coogee Beach. This seaside library stand, Sydney’s very first, offers over 1,000 books and magazines for your reading pleasure - all for free! No membership is required and there’s plenty to choose from for readers of all ages. 2. Romaniquette Beach in Istres, France If you should ever wander to the south of France, make a stop at Romaniquette Beach to visit this mobile beach library. Design buffs and book lovers alike will marvel at this mod literary haven by industrial designer Matali Crasset. It’s not just shelves and sand, it’s got seats in the shade too! 3. Albena Beach Library in Bulgaria Head to the sandy perimeter of the Black Sea and you’ll find a one of the most well-stocked beach libraries in existence. 2,500 books in 10 different languages line the water-resistant and sun-resistant shelves designed by German architect (and library project manager) Herman Kompernas. 4. Metzizim Beach Library in Tel Aviv, Israel This beachfront book-mobile, launched by the Tel Aviv Municipality, offer hours of literary entertainment to sunbathers. Over 500 books in a variety of languages are available to borrowers for free - just remember to return them when you’re done! 5. "Read on the Beach" Cabins in the Seine-Maritime, France It’s the 10th anniversary of the Seine-Maritime Department’s Read on the Beach Cabins, and that means it’s the perfect time to go browsing and beachcombing through the northern shores of France. Twelve colorful little mini-libraries dot the beaches of the Haute-Normandie region, from Le Havre to Treport. The program boasts a collection of 12,000 books, with each of the twelve locations housing about a thousand books each. 6. All over the world If you look hard enough, you can find Little Free Libraries everywhere you go, and you just might find one in the beach town you’re frequenting this summer. Little Free Libraries is a nonprofit organization that builds free book exchange boxes around the world. There are an estimated 25,000 Little Free Libraries installed around the U.S and internationally. They’re cheery little literary outposts - almost all of them are colorfully painted, creatively handmade wooden boxes that house a small collection of books. You’re free to leave a book or take a book, and if you can’t find one in your neighborhood, you can even build your own!

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