This blog is part of our ‘Support Provider Series’. Behind every learner’s journey is a network of people who encourage, inspire and support them along the way. SelfDesign’s support providers play an important role in that journey, offering specialized knowledge and individualized learning opportunities that help learners build confidence and reach their goals.
Matt Heywood didn’t set out to become a teacher.
After studying mechanical engineering at Camosun College and the University of Victoria, he began his career as an application engineer, helping mining companies solve technical challenges. But after work each day, he’d head to the library or a student’s home to tutor math and science.
It didn’t take long for him to realize he’d found the work he was truly passionate about.
“What immediately drew me into tutoring was discovering the impact that I could make with learners,” Matt reflects. “Most learners who are struggling just need a little bit of help. They need someone to provide guidance and support, and with that, they can progress and pursue their goals. As time passed, I could really start to see them deepen understanding and get their confidence back!”
Today, Matt is the founder of Heywood Academies, a Victoria-based tutoring company that provides math and science support to learners across British Columbia. Through online and in-person tutoring, he and his team work with learners to strengthen foundational skills, build confidence and connect classroom concepts to real life.
Over the past several years, Matt has also worked with SelfDesign learners, and one thing continues to stand out to him.
“What strikes me the most is how self-aware these learners tend to be,” Matt expresses.
“They often know exactly what interests them, arriving with a real sense of who they are and what they’re curious about.”
For Matt, that curiosity creates opportunities for more meaningful learning. Rather than teaching concepts in isolation, he enjoys helping learners connect math and science to the things they already care about.
“When a student already has a passion, our job becomes finding the math or science that applies to that passion and making it visible to them,” he states.
His engineering background has also shaped the way he approaches teaching.
“Engineering taught me that there’s almost never just one way to solve a problem,” he shares.
“If one explanation isn’t landing, I’ll try something else until we get something that sticks. It’s a great lesson for learners as well that everything is an experiment. Our goal is always to work through problems that are challenging enough that we are making progress, but not too challenging that students get discouraged.”
For Matt, the most meaningful learning relationships extend beyond academics. They help learners feel seen, encouraged and empowered to pursue the subjects that excite them most.
