Meet the Team at Mathnasium of Southland

Diana Hall

Diana is the Centre Director at Mathnasium of Southland. She is a certified teacher, gaining her Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Calgary. Diana is also the previous owner of a successful tutoring centre in Salmon Arm, BC, where she lived for 20 years. She has taught and tutored students of all ages and abilities and loves to build rapport with each individual. Diana is experienced, inspiring, and supportive. She has extensive volunteer work as past President of the Vernon Vortex Speed Skating Club, and currently delivers food hampers to families in her community. Diana has a passion for math and is excited to bring the Mathnasium Method to children in the surrounding area. She has 3 teenaged children and enjoys sports and arts in her free time.

Adrienne Bursa

Adrienne is the Assistant Centre Director at Mathnasium of Southland, where she plays a key role in supporting students, mentoring instructors, and ensuring a high standard of math instruction at the center. With a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Calgary, Adrienne brings a unique academic background enriched by a strong foundation in Mathematics. Despite her formal studies in the Social Sciences, Adrienne pursued her personal passion for math by completing several post-secondary Mathematics courses, including second- and third-year courses in Calculus and Linear Algebra. This diverse academic experience, combined with her extensive work in the Not-for-Profit sector, has shaped her into a compassionate and effective educator.

Adrienne is dedicated to making math accessible, engaging, and meaningful for every student she works with. She strives to instill not only mathematical skills but also a lasting sense of confidence, curiosity, and accomplishment in learners of all ages. As Lead Instructor, Adrienne leads by example, fostering a supportive, positive learning environment where students feel encouraged to ask questions, challenge themselves, and grow.

 

Allen Sandwell

Allen is an instructor at Mathnasium of Southland. He is currently finishing his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Calgary. Allen also has an extensive teaching portfolio, having taught multiple classes in engineering at the university level. He uses this experience in his role at Mathnasium to show students the rich and diverse applications that mathematics can offer. Allen endeavors to challenge students to understand the basic concepts so that they may apply these in a variety of situations, rather than memorize steps to solve a given problem. This foundational method of education leads to lifelong understanding and appreciation of the subject matter, and it shows how useful and fun math can be!

Amir Kashi

Amir is an instructor at Mathnasium of Southland. Amir has a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Semnan, Iran, and has worked over 12 years on oil and gas projects as a designer. He also has a certificate in Process Piping Drafting from SAIT, 2018. Amir has always been involved with numbers, formulas, problem-solving and analysis. He was a Math tutor for junior high school students while he was studying at the university, and he has a great passion to help and support others with a desire to learn and excel at math. His dream has always been to be an instructor, so he is excited to be part of the Mathnasium experience. Amir believes that math should be fun for students. He wishes to transfer all of his skills and knowledge to help students learn math in the best way, through understanding, and not by memorization. In his free time, Amir enjoys solving jigsaw puzzles, watching movies, and working on some math and physics problems just for fun.

Adrina Sadeghian

Adrina is an instructor at Mathnasium of Southland. She is currently a first-year engineering student at the University of Calgary. With substantial experience gained from her prior babysitting roles, she has consistently maintained a keen interest in mathematics, actively participating in various local and provincial math competitions. In her capacity as a math instructor, her ultimate goal is to ignite the same passion for mathematics in other children by assisting them in grasping more intricate concepts. The innovative and effective teaching methods employed by Mathnasium render it possible for Adrina to realize this ambition.

Sina Taheria

Sina is an instructor at Mathnasium of Southland, currently pursuing a PhD in Management at the University of Calgary. Sina also has extensive experience teaching various engineering courses at the university level and has worked as a Badminton coach, gaining valuable experience working with children. With a kind and patient approach, Sina has honed his skills in helping children understand complex mathematical concepts and fostering a love for math. In his free time, Sina enjoys spending quality time with his family and cat, as well as cooking and socializing with friends.

Najmeh PoorJafari

Najmeh is an instructor at Mathnasium of Southland. She is currently in her first year of Ph.D. in Civil Engineering at the University of Calgary. Throughout Najmeh’s BSc and MSc studies, she gained experience as a teaching assistant for various courses, including soil mechanics which involves mathematical challenges. Her passion for mathematics is contagious and she is excited to join Mathnasium where she can contribute to spreading the joy of math among children.

Romina Merati

Romina is an Instructor with Mathnasium Southland.  She is an engineering student at U of C with a love and passion for teaching mathematics. She is currently enrolled at the University of Calgary, pursuing a degree in engineering. She is in her first semester. Romina brings a unique perspective to the Mathnasium team and easily relates to students of all ages. As an Instructor, Romina works closely with students to help them understand and enjoy math.

Saleh Najafi

Saleh is an instructor at Mathnasium of Southland. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering at the University of Calgary. Saleh has extensive experience in teaching and mentoring, having served as a teaching assistant for several university courses. With a strong background in problem-solving and critical thinking, Saleh is passionate about making math approachable and enjoyable for students. He believes in teaching concepts in a way that fosters understanding and application, rather than rote memorization. In his spare time, Saleh enjoys hiking, working out, and playing squash, all of which help him stay active and energized.

Shay

Shay is an instructor at Mathnasium of Southland. She is currently a Master of Science student at the University of Calgary, in Chemical and Petroleum Engineering. She has experience teaching math to high school students and has also volunteered in university programs to help peers who were struggling with math-related topics. She loves teaching math to students and is always happy to help those who find it difficult. She believes math can be fun and enjoys finding ways to make it easier to understand. In her free time, Shay likes hiking and painting.

Avin Talebi

Avin is an instructor at Mathnasium of Southland and is currently in her final semester of Grade 12. She has a strong passion for both learning and teaching mathematics, striving to inspire students with her enthusiasm. As an active member of various school clubs, Avin has developed excellent interpersonal skills, allowing her to connect with peers and students alike. She values communication and collaboration, believing that fostering meaningful interactions enhances the learning experience. Through her role at Mathnasium, Avin continues to gain valuable insights while helping students build confidence and excel in math, preparing them for future opportunities.

Omid

Omid is an instructor at Mathnasium of Southland and is currently in the second year of his Ph.D. in Civil Engineering at the University of Calgary. Throughout his MSc and Ph.D. studies, he has served as a teaching assistant for several engineering courses, including Geotechnical Engineering II, which involves advanced mathematical concepts. He has also previously worked as a mathematics teacher, supporting students across a range of educational levels. Omid brings strong analytical skills and a solid academic background to his instruction, and he is committed to helping students build confidence and competence in mathematics.