We develop the skills that matter most for children's futures
Aizen Academy started in 2015 with a simple idea: kids need more than one skill to thrive. Not just math. Not just coding. Not just confidence. All of it — built together, over time, with people who know them by name.
What began as a single program in North York has grown into a multi-disciplinary learning hub offering six specialized programs — from mental math and chess to robotics, soft skills, early thinking, and digital literacy. Each one is delivered through a proven, globally recognized curriculum and taught by instructors who stay with students year after year.
We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all enrichment. We believe in a connected growth path — where every program builds on the last, and every child develops the toolkit they’ll carry into school, careers, and life.
A decade in, over a thousand families have trusted Aizen to help their kids grow. We’re just getting started.
Every mentor at Aizen is a former student who experienced our programs firsthand and chose to return with care, judgment, and genuine passion for each child’s growth.
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Meet Mathan. The heart of Aizen. For more than 15 years, Mathan Thava has been a mentor, instructor, and guide for thousands of North York kids.
Mathan grew up here. He earned scholarships, became a chess prodigy, rose to become one of the youngest leaders at his Bay Street firm, and is now a successful entrepreneur. He chose to leave the corporate path, because helping kids succeed mattered more.
He knows every child and every family. He sees potential early, because he knows that journey firsthand. He personally assesses each student and has guided thousands onto stronger paths: academically, socially, and in confidence.
Mathan’s conviction is the heart of Aizen. This isn’t a business. It’s a commitment to lifting the next generation.
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Noelle is a passionate UCMAS teacher and iMaths instructor dedicated to building strong math foundations in young learners. Through UCMAS, she teaches students how to use the abacus to develop mental math skills, concentration, and confidence in arithmetic. Her lessons focus on helping students strengthen both their mental math abilities and overall thinking skills.
As an iMaths instructor, she works with children aged 3 to 6, creating a fun, engaging, and hands-on learning environment. She believes early math education should be interactive and enjoyable, so she uses games, movement, and creative activities to help students understand key concepts while developing a love for learning.
In her classroom, she strives to encourage effort and create a positive space where students feel confident in their work.
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Joshua Annapareddy is an instructor at Aizen Academy who loves helping students build lasting skills. He teaches UCMAS, iLEAP Club, and Chess. As a graduate of all three programs, Joshua connects with students through his own experience in the student journey. He helps students stay curious, embrace learning, and grow as leaders. In his classes, students build confidence, challenge themselves, and explore new ideas. He values resilience, responsibility, and effort. His classes are engaging and supportive, where students feel comfortable, encouraged, and motivated to work hard, learn, and grow as individuals. Joshua is passionate about helping students discover their passions, become strong leaders, and build confidence.
Jathush is a tenth-grade student who has been part of the Aizen community for 10 years. He is currently a UCMAS Course Instructor who is a graduate of both the UCMAS and iLEAP Club programs. The skills he has developed throughout his valuable journey at Aizen Academy have influenced his capabilities in the school environment. This is evident, as he has consistently maintained a 95%+ average throughout his High School career, in addition to a strong extracurricular profile. He consistently takes on various leadership roles and enjoys challenging my limits. Additionally, in his spare time, he regularly produces YouTube videos, plays volleyball with friends, and sets daily goals for himself. Moreover, he is a committed learner, invested in his educational career and eager to explore areas that intrigue him. His goals are to continue to evolve, to achieve a 99% average in his senior year, and to be accepted to York University’s Schulich School of Business.
Aarush is a chess player with over 10 years of experience. He started taking virtual chess lessons with Aizen Academy at age nine in 2020, the year the online chess program first launched amidst the pandemic. Over the next four years, he steadily rose through the ranks to become one of the best students at Aizen Academy. Currently, Aarush is rated over 2000 in rapid on Chess.com with similar ratings in blitz and bullet. He also enjoys exploring ways to expand his chess horizons. In Grade 7, Aarush placed 4th in the Ontario Chess Challenge among all Grade 7s in the province. He is also the current head of the chess club at his school. Since October 2024, Aarush has been teaching online chess classes to students aged 8 to 15. His lessons focus on making chess interactive and enjoyable while simultaneously building a strong understanding of chess strategy. He believes the best way to improve is to practice regularly. His main goal is to help students develop confidence and become the best chess players they can.
Jaiden is a UCMAS instructor at Aizen Academy and has been part of the academy for over 8 years, first as a student and later as an instructor. Beginning his journey as a UCMAS student gave him a strong foundation in mental math and helped him understand learning from a student’s perspective. This experience allows him to relate to students and support them with patience and encouragement.
As an instructor, he enjoys helping students build concentration, memory, problem-solving skills, and confidence through the UCMAS program, which uses abacus-based and mental visualization techniques. He focuses on creating lessons that are engaging, supportive, and structured so students can grow at their own pace.
At Aizen Academy, his goal is to create a positive and welcoming environment where students feel comfortable, motivated, and proud of their progress.
Aizen Academy is built on Kaizen — the Japanese philosophy of continuous improvement. Kai (change) + Zen (good). It means never being satisfied with what was accomplished yesterday.
For our students, it means every class is a chance to be a little better than the last one. For our team, it means constantly refining how we teach, how we communicate, and how we show up. For our families, it means knowing that every opinion matters — no matter how small.
It’s not a slogan. It’s how we run.
We’re always looking for passionate, committed instructors. If you’re organized, driven, and love working with children, submit your application. You must be willing to learn and commit two years to the role.
Introduce children to programming fundamentals and problem-solving. Create engaging lessons that spark curiosity and build real coding abilities.
Teach mental arithmetic and build confidence in young learners. You'll guide students through proven techniques that develop focus and calculation skills.
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Every family has different goals.
We’ll help you find the best first step.
