Meet the Team
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“The art of teaching is the art of assisting discovery.” -Mark Van Doren
Hi there, my name is Dela. I currently live in Santa Barbara, CA where I was born and raised. I work as an Applications Engineer for a silicone manufacturer where I specialize in materials used in medical devices. I have a passion for science and innovation, especially when it comes to making medical discoveries to better people’s lives. I am lucky enough to help students with grasping difficult concepts in chemistry and biology while using real life example to help keep learning interesting and fun! Outside of work I enjoy spending time in nature with my family, enjoying the beach and the mountains that surround us here. I am also a new mom and love seeing my son discover the world around him!
Subjects:Biology
AP Biology
College level Biology
Chemistry
AP Chemistry
College level Chemistry
Age Specialization:
High School
College level general chemistry and biology
College level organic chemistry
Education:
Masters | Materials Engineering
Bachelors | Chemistry
Bachelors | Health Science
Tutoring since 2023
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“I believe every student has the natural curiosity and intuition to be a scientist.”
I have worked with students from multiple age groups. I started my educational journey as a teaching assistant intern, I then substitute taught at that school for a year and was an educator at a nature summer camp. During Graduate School I student taught Middle school science, and biology at the Syracuse City School District. After graduating I taught a second grade without any experience. Over the summer I tutored students in Earth Science, Biology and Chemistry in summer Academy. I then taught Biology and AP Biology for 3 years at Ithaca High School. Currently I teach Environmental Science, Chemistry, AP Biology and Biology at a boarding school called Besant Hill in Ojai California.
Subjects:Biology
AP Biology
Chemistry
AP Chemistry
Earth Science
Environmental Science
AP Environmental Science
Age Specialization:
High School
Education:
Masters | Science Education and Teaching
Bachelors | Biology
Teaching since 2020
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“One of the goals of education is not simply to fill students with facts and information but to help them learn how to learn” - Zaretta Hammond
Hi! My name is Emma and I’m so excited to be on the Open Horizons team. I specialize in supporting diverse learners develop and deepen their reading, writing, and math skills. I am a credentialed Education Specialist in California and Colorado and currently teach at a K-8 inquiry-based learning school in San Francisco. My approach is individualized, collaborative, and multisensory. I prioritize getting to know my students as whole people before honing in on our learning plan, which we’ll develop based on each student’s strengths and goals. My pedagogy is rooted in research-based and culturally sustaining practices. I strive to bring energy, clarity, and celebration to my work with each student. Outside of teaching, you’ll find me running , skiing, and exploring the amazing food scene the Bay Area has to offer!
Subjects:
English Language Arts
Elementary Mathematics
Middle School Mathematics
Algebra
Age Specialization:
Elementary - Junior High
Emphasis in grades 5-6
Education:
Masters | Educational Psychology and Instructional Coaching from University of Wisconsin - Madison (in progress)
Bachelors | Cognitive Science from UC Berkeley
California K-12 Learning Specialist credential
Colorado K-12 teaching credential
Tutoring since 2020
Teaching since 2022
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Hey! My name is Riya Burke. I am currently a Math Teacher at Ithaca High School in Ithaca, New York. Over the years, I've taught several courses including Algebra 1, Geometry, Intermediate Algebra, Academic Intervention, Personal Finance, and AVID. I graduated from Utica University with a bachelor's degree in Math Education and Special Education, and I hold a master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Ashford University.
I specialize in Elementary, Junior High, and various High School Math courses. I also have experience preparing students for the SAT and can assist with cover letters, resumes, and college preparation.
In my free time, I enjoy going for walks with my dog, Archie, cooking, and reading. Each year, I set a goal to read 100 books! Archie is a therapy dog, so we often visit nursing homes and academic events to spread happiness.
Subjects:
Mathematics
Elementary Mathematics
Middle School Mathematics
Algebra
Algebra 2
Personal Finance
Intermediate Algebra
Geometry
Age Specialization:
Elementary - High School
Education:
Masters | Curriculum and Instruction
Bachelors | Math 7-12
Bachelors | Special Education 7-12
Teaching since 2019
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“In learning you will teach and in teaching you will learn.” -Phil Collins
Hi! My name is Michael Therrien. I graduated from UCSB for physics in 2025. I started tutoring with SBCC in 2020 before expanding into the private sector as well as becoming a learning assistant at UCSB as my skillset expanded. I specialize in High School classes such as Pre-calculus, Calculus, Physics, and Chemistry, as well as elementary and junior high math. In my free time I like to hike, play piano, and practice gymnastics.
Subjects:
Precalculus
Calculus
Differential Equations
Multivariable Calculus
Linear Algebra
Physics (High school through college upper division)
Chemistry (High school through college)
Age Specialization:
Elementary, High School, College
Education:
Bachelors | Physics
Tutoring since 2020
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“I can accept failure….but I can’t accept not trying - Michael Jordan
Hi, my name is CJ Morgan, and I’m committed to helping students succeed with a personalized curriculum! I work as a civil engineer in Santa Barbara, where I live with my wife and young son. I graduated from UCSB with a Bachelor’s in Chemistry, with upper-division coursework in History, and am currently working toward a Professional Engineer license in Civil Engineering. It’s a personal passion of mine to learn about history by reading extensive historical texts in my free time and traveling to historical sites across the world.
Subjects:
History
Chemistry (High school through college)
Mathematics
Physics
Age Specialization:
High School and college
Education:
Bachelors | Chemistry from UCSB
Civil Engineer in Training Certificate
Tutoring since 2025
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“The only thing in your control is effort. That’s all and that’s everything.” – Mark Cuban
Hi! My name is Alex Filonov. I'm currently a junior at UC Berkeley studying Data Science and Business Administration. I've been tutoring math since I was in high school, and it's been one of the most rewarding experiences for me. I enjoy helping students of all backgrounds achieve their learning goals and gain confidence in their academics. Notably, I've helped several high school students struggling to pass their classes achieve over a 90% average grade. Outside of school, I enjoy surfing, learning guitar, and backpacking.
Subjects:
Algebra
Algebra 2
Algebra ¾ Trig
Geometry
Statistics
Calculus
Linear Algebra
SAT Math
Intro to Computer Science
English
AP Language Arts
Age Specialization:
Elementary through High School
Intro College courses
Education:
Junior at UC Berkeley pursuing a B.A in Data Science and B.S in Business Administration
Tutoring since 2020
Book a Consultation
Let’s meet to create a plan. Each consultation takes 15 minutes and is completely free.
Join our team
If you’re passionate about education, believe in helping students where they are in their journey, and want to make a meaningful impact, we’d love to hear from you. Join a supportive team dedicated to opening doors and expanding horizons, one student at a time.
