Tanner grew up in London, Ontario. Ever since he was a young boy, he knew he wanted to become a teacher. In pursuit of this dream, Tanner attended Wilfrid Laurier University and Nipissing University in Brantford, Ontario, where he earned an Honours B.A. and a B.Ed., respectively. After graduating in 2015, Tanner travelled to South Korea for the summer as an English Language Teacher. Upon his return to Canada, he attended Wilfrid Laurier University to pursue a M.A. in Religion and Culture. After graduating with a M.A. in 2016, Tanner travelled to Guatemala with a missionary organization as an English Language Teacher. Since 2016, Tanner has pursued a Ph.D. in Religion and Culture while also teaching undergraduate students at Wilfrid Laurier University. At the same time as he was working on the Ph.D., Tanner has taught at various independent schools in London as an occasional teacher in short- and long-term capacities.

In April 2020, Tanner felt God's prompting to step away from the Ph.D. and step into a teaching role at London Christian Academy. With this opportunity, Tanner is able to use his passion for Christ and the gifts that God has given him to teach and mentor children. He believes that a Christian education (and subsequently a Christian worldview) is possible and desirable to professing believers and their children.

In his spare time, Tanner enjoys hanging out with family and friends, playing volleyball, being physically active, reading, and playing piano. Tanner currently lives in St. Thomas with his wife Emily, and is a member of Eastwood Baptist Church, where he has attended since the beginning of 2023.