Our Team: Humanities

Jana is currently a student at UBC finishing her Bachelor of Arts in History. She has had a passion for teaching from a young age and is excited to be entering UBC's Bachelor of Education program next year. She has recently spent the summer in a small town in the Philippines named Sagada where she was able to work with high school teachers, and even take on two weeks of teaching classes herself. She enjoyed the challenges of tutoring and teaching the children English and History. Her spare time is most often spent doing photography, watching Canucks games, and enjoying the outdoors.

Justin is a University of Victoria certified teacher who recently returned from a 2 year leave teaching math and science at an international school in China. Looking to return home to friends and family, he has joined the BrainBoost Team as a Homework Help teacher. Justin is very passionate about conservation and sustainability and has worked at the Vancouver Aquarium and Zoo. He has previously worked and coached for the Paralympics and Special Olympics and is a true sports fanatic himself. He also likes spending time writing and playing guitar and can often be found with a good book in hand.

Adam has been an avid reader his entire life, devouring all genres of books from political satire, science fiction, graphic novels, contemporary and Canadian fiction to history and sociological takes on modern society. Adam finished a BA in English Literature in 2008 and worked as a freelance tutor before coming to BrainBoost in the fall of 2010. Beyond reading, writing, and teaching kids how to do those things, Adam rides his bike, plays both board and video games, cooks meals and converses while eating them, and swims in the ocean when it’s not quite warm enough.

Zoe’s formal education is in International Development, Anthropology, and Education. A certified teacher, Zoe enjoys relating what is learned in the confines of the classroom to the wondrous world outside of it. It is curiosity that has attracted her to science and she is thrilled to share this enthusiasm with her students. Her most meaningful informal educational experiences have been living in Bogota, Colombia within a community of circus artists, working in the garden at an Eco-village on Vancouver Island, and answering the phone on a sexual health information line. Zoe is inspired by the creativity and individuality of each of her students.

Michael is a compelling wordsmith, professional facilitator and certified teacher who believes that youth who are empowered to be critical thinkers and confident speakers are the foundation of healthy communities. He has almost ten years experience working for arts-based organizations and alternative education, designing innovative and creative programming that engages youth in learning and inspires vibrant lives. Michael has performed across the province as a spoken word artist and hip hop lyricist and always brings a unique sense of style, creativity and social consciousness to his work. He is at BrainBoost to inspire students in the Humanities, sciences and outdoor education.

As well as being a Language Arts teacher, Morie is a true advocate for children’s literacy. She has over ten years experience working with children with learning challenges in the area of English Language Arts. Morie has a Special Education degree from the University of Alberta. She has a contagious enthusiasm for reading and writing and does what it takes to create engagement with kids. In her spare time Morie actively promotes literacy - most recently for OMID orphanage in Afghanistan and URPI orphanage in Peru. Exciting hockey games, gourmet meals and walks with her family and friends help keep Morie balanced.

Emily recently moved to Vancouver from her native Montreal, where she obtained a B.A. in History and Political Science from McGill University. A lifelong learner with a broad base of interests, Emily has a decade of experience tutoring English, French, Math, the Sciences, and the Humanities. De plus, Emily parle parfaitement le français. Having recently worked as a high school Special Education teacher, Emily developed a strong belief that personal support is just as important in education as the sharing of knowledge. At BrainBoost, she strives to impart a love of learning, while helping students increase their self-confidence and deal with the stress of academic and everyday life. Emily’s great love of reading has also led her to pursue an interest in publishing.

Chris is a teacher from the UK who tutors Social Studies and English at BrainBoost. His specialties are Political Geography and 20th Century History. When Chris isn’t working, he enjoys playing soccer and ultimate frisbee, jamming on the guitar with friends, or reading philosophy.

Alex is a PhD candidate in Political Science at UBC and has earned two master’s degrees at the London School of Economics in Global Politics and Social Policy. A classic jack-of-all trades, he also graduated from SFU with a degree in Psychology, an extended minor in Computer Science (including a stint at the software company Electronic Arts), and a term studying art, architecture, and Czech culture in Prague. When he’s not working or studying, you might find him at the record store, biking to the Commodore for a concert, or reading about the nature of the mind. Alex is tutoring Humanities, English, and Math at BrainBoost. Raised in Prince George, he’s also worked with at-risk youth in government care and expects to learn from students at least as much as they learn from him.

Lauren grew up in Summerland, a tiny town in the Okanagan Valley, before journeying to Vancouver to pursue studies at the University of British Columbia. The size of her town and her love for learning encouraged her to study how to juggle, rolla bolla, spin plates, throw knives, and even stiltwalk. Upon graduating from highschool she turned towards the more academic studies of ancient civilizations and the stories of the past. Now, with a completed Bachelor’s Degree in History and a minor in English, Lauren is tutoring English and Humanties at BrainBoost. Her favourite past times include reading, writing, video-gaming, preparing gourmet meals, and drawing.

Claire moved to England after completing her education degree at UBC and taught in various inner-city schools in London with students of all ages. Though it was tough to part with new friends and regular travel adventures, the West Coast, family, and friends eventually drew her back home. Claire recently received a Certificate of Creative Writing from SFU; her lifelong passion for literature and language is something she hopes to inspire in every child she meets. Claire is currently enrolled in the M Ed Counselling Psychology program at UBC. Spare time is spent writing, reading, going to yoga, and volunteering at the Vancouver Crisis Centre.