Our Team: Math

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.

Karla has joined BrainBoost as a math and science tutor. She recently moved to Vancouver from Calgary where she obtained her B. Sc and then did a B. ED. Karla began teaching middle grade math and science, but has recently stepped outside the classroom to return to school herself! She is currently taking some outdoor and environmental education classes at UBC. Karla loves to work with youth and always tries to infuse creativity into her teaching. Outside of teaching and her studies, she enjoys hiking and snowshoeing with her husband, cooking, reading, swimming, and playing tennis.

Marina tutors math and Spanish at BrainBoost. She was born in St. Petersburg, Russia, grew up in San Jose, California and moved to Vancouver to complete her bachelors degree in Psychology at UBC. She started tutoring math when she was in high school, and her passion for it has grown exponentially ever since. She has her eyes set on a Masters degree in Special Education. Last year she took the year off to travel the world, which taught her many lessons about culture, people and life. She loves to teach, and tries to bring this energy and joy to every session. Her favorite part of tutoring is making learning enjoyable for students who think they don't enjoy it. When she's not tutoring, she is an avid reader, a budding foodie, a Latin dancer, and an enthusiastic attender of boardgame nights.

Sam Best is currently completing a BSc/BEd dual degree in Physics and Secondary Education at UBC. He discovered his passion for education while working with children and youth at a camp in the Okanagan for the past four summers. Growing up as one of four brothers, Sam found the need for creativity and critical thinking skills just to be heard, and to get out of trouble. He developed a strong interest in math and sciences throughout high school, while never forgetting the wisdom that literature brought him as a child. At BrainBoost, Sam will be available for math and science tutoring. Sam’s current interests include but are not limited to: poetry, bike touring, ultimate, theatre (inspired by his roommate), and pretty views. One time Sam took a course on contemplative walking and has never looked back.

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.

Originally from Mexico, Jonathan came to Canada in 2006 where he earned a degree in mathematics from UBC. He has been tutoring in a variety of scientific and analytic disciplines for the past 5 years, ranging from biology and human physiology to mathematics and logic. Jonathan finds tremendous satisfaction in elegant solutions to riddles, which is perhaps what motivates his love of mathematics, and mathematical proof. He also encourages his students to get comfortable with the idea that it's much better to have an incorrect opinion or proposed solution, than none at all. Most of all, he is excited about how rewarding teaching and tutoring can be.

Ben is currently a second-year computer science student at UBC. Some day he hopes to get into the video game industry and create his own game. He loves taking apart various electronics just to see how they work and then trying to put them back together. He enjoys working with kids of all ages, with his most memorable experience being a camp cousellor at a YMCA outdoor camp program. Ben loves the outdoors and finds serenity in sleeping under the stars. He enjoys long hiking trips that include plenty of canoeing and has found out the hard way to always wear sunscreen on such excursions. Along with math, physics, and science knowledge, Ben has acquired survival skills such as how to set up a campsite so as not to attract bears.

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.

Carl tutors math and physics at BrainBoost. Currently, he is earning a Master's degree in Biomedical Engineering at the University of British Columbia. While perusing his undergrad degree in mechanical engineering at the U of C, he always found time to work with youth, as a math and science tutor; and after graduating, as a coach for 9-12 year old kids at his local Nordic skiing club. Carl enjoys spending time with his wife as well as running, Nordic skiing, and cycling.

Catherine is a physics, chemistry and math tutor. She is a New Zealander. She has studied physics and math in universities in New Zealand and Australia, and has been teaching for ten years - first at University level, and for the last 5 years, as a high school science teacher. Catherine loves physics - the study of the universe and everything in it! She also loves horses, physics, hiking in the mountains, running, traveling, physics, and living in Vancouver.

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.

Mark grew up in Regina, Saskatchewan and moved to Vancouver to pursue an education in science and healthcare. Since then he has obtained a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from UBC and completed his training and licensure as a Primary Care Paramedic. Mark has been involved in teaching a variety of subjects (from science to snowboarding) since high school and now teaches math and sciences at BrainBoost in the hopes of instilling his own enthusiasm for learning in his students. He also has a wide range of experience in working with people with disabilities through the UBC Hospital Foundation, Supported Child Development BC, and as an extra support worker at a local childcare program. When he is not busy teaching and learning, Mark enjoys long-distance running, swimming, and biking, as well as cooking and listening to and playing music.

Jessy Giammarino is a director and case-manager at BrainBoost. With a B.A. in English from the University of British Columbia and 3 years experience teaching Yoga, Jessy specializes in literacy and how stress and anxiety affect a student’s ability to learn. Jessy believes strongly in the importance of organization and structure to help students gain control of their academic life and mental sanity. With the help of our tutors, she is currently developing a company-wide organizational system that assists students in implementing a daily system of managing their never-ending things-to-do. As well, Jessy believes strongly in the power of the breath and tries to teach all her students how to use their breath to access a calm and clear mind. Jessy respects and cherishes her students’ differences and strives to be a strong and calming force in their lives in order to help them achieve their great potential.

Mark tutors math and sciences at BrainBoost. Before BrainBoost he worked as a math tutor in the Mathematics Activity Centre at Langara College. He recently finished an undergraduate degree in Biochemistry at UBC. When he’s not tutoring or doing schoolwork, he can be found rock climbing in Squamish, cycling in Pacific Spirit National Park, catching a live show downtown, playing chess in a coffee shop, or getting a tan at Spanish Banks. He also enjoys reading, gardening, knitting, and vegetarian cooking.

Wilson is a recent graduate of UBC’s Combined Honours in Biochemistry and Chemistry program. Since volunteering at his elementary school as an afterschool reading club tutor and as a homework club helper at a local community center, Wilson has found a passion in educating others and learning stuff in general. He has tutored people of all ages, from young kids to adults. Well trained in science, he has been a part of the research team at two pharmaceutical companies. At BrainBoost, Wilson tutors math and science and assists with Homework Help. Outside of study and work, Wilson enjoys interacting with people as a child life volunteer, playing badminton in the summer, and picking up snowboarding in the winter. He jogs in the mornings to wake up and is often so in awe of music that he spends hours playing the piano for fun.

Ross is thrilled to be part of the BrainBoost team as a science and math tutor, as well as a Homework Help teacher. Ross is a general and natural science enthusiast who recently finished his B.Sc in Biology at the University of Victoria. Ross can usually be spotted somewhere in the outdoors. He first found his love for education while working as an outdoor education instructor at a private secondary school in Canberra, Australia. He loves working with kids and he shares their passion for soaking up new information and experiences. During his school career, Ross spent his downtime kayak-guiding, forest fire-fighting, and gallivanting off on the occasional surfing trip. He also enjoys playing music, being active, and striking up a good chat.

Conrad tutors sciences and math at BrainBoost. After graduating from UBC with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, he spontaneously decided to go for an adventure, flying to Spain with nothing more than a bicycle and a few changes of clothes. He has a passion for teaching and learning and loves finding different strategies and approaches to problems (the more original the better!). When he’s not shouting ’Eureka!’ in the lab or fixing flat tires overseas, you can find him singing and playing guitar, hiking the interior of BC, or surfing in Tofino.

Caitlin was born and raised in North Vancouver and is currently in her fourth year at UBC studying biology and math. She first discovered her passion for working with kids early in high school through coaching soccer. Seeing children reach and exceed their goals in soccer sparked her interest in pursuing a career in education. Shortly thereafter, Caitlin started tutoring and applied to the UBC School of Education. Now, an apprentice tutor at BrainBoost, Caitlin shares her joy of learning and helps students discover their own strengths by fostering an open and creative environment! In her spare time, Caitlin enjoys yoga, running, and hiking the North Shore Mountains!

Rachelle is super excited to be joining BrainBoost Education. Along with her passion for working with youth and a love of all things math and science, she brings over eight years experience teaching in a variety of arenas, including the public school system, ESL in S. Korea and India, and most recently for an independent school for at-risk youth in Burnaby. Rachelle is BC certified and holds a Bachelor of Education with a major in Physics and minor in Math, from the University of Alberta. Rachelle has also always had a passion for filmmaking, first as an actress and now as a screenwriter, and is vice-president of Women in Film and Television Vancouver. You can often find Rachelle writing in local coffee shops, hanging out at the beach or Skyping with family. Rachelle is also an avid NFL fan. Go Colts!

Dylan grew up exploring the mountains and lakes of the Kootenays, giving him a healthy love for nature. Upon graduating from high school he became excited at the prospect of studying Mathematics at UBC in beautiful Vancouver, where he obtained a B, Sc in Math. Dylan has always been drawn to teaching and education in one form or another, so when he stumbled upon the eye-opening world of Brainboost he immediately fell in love. Dylan tries to bring fun and humour into his tutoring to encourage learning as an enjoyable and exciting experience. He is a naturally positive and enthusiastic person and that shows in his tutoring. When he's not nerding out talking science and strategy games, Dylan can be found on the tops of mountains snowboarding and having dance parties.