ABOUT US

MIND OVER MATH TEAM

Sara Moore | Director

Sara graduated Summa Cum Laude from UNC-Wilmington where she received her M.S and B.A in mathematics. While Sara is a self-proclaimed math nerd and appreciates all forms of mathematics, she specializes in tutoring pre-calculus and calculus I, II and III. Sara also enjoys helping students to navigate test-taking, planning and the college application process. Sara loves interacting with the parents and students of Mind Over Math.

Over the years, Sara has enjoyed exploring many different teaching avenues. As an undergraduate pursuing a degree in education, Sara tutored at a small, Title 1 elementary school in a low-income area of Wilkes County. The children at this small school touched Sara’s heart and even though she enjoyed the classroom experience, what brought her the most joy was working with each student one-on-one. Many of these students struggled with mathematics and out of a desire to help them and similar students, Sara transferred to UNCW to major in mathematics. Over the years, Sara has worked with students as private tutor, a math facilitator, and later as an instructor for both CFCC and UNC-Wilmington. As Sara’s private tutoring expanded, Mind Over Math was born.

Tess Miller | Assistant Director

Tess graduated Cum Laude from UNCW with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry in 2018. Tess then completed a Master of Arts in Teaching for secondary education in 2019. Tess is originally from Richmond and has been tutoring since 2012. She first realized her love of teaching while volunteering at elementary schools in her hometown. Tess fell in love with the feeling of helping students to succeed and to reach their goals and has been teaching and tutoring ever since.

Outside of Mind over Math, Tess enjoys volunteering, traveling, reading, and spending time with friends and family. Tess aspires to one day teach for the Department of Defense, combining her love of teaching and travel.

Brittany Whitener | Lead Tutor

Brittany completed a Bachelor's of Science in Mathematics from UNC-Wilmington in December 2018. While an undergrad, Brittany worked as a peer tutor at the University Learning Center and discovered great joy in helping others to succeed. Brittany sees herself as a problem solver and finds it very rewarding to connect with each student, building math skills and self-confidence.

Brittany joined the Mind Over Math team in 2017. She currently provides both in-person and online instruction to a wide variety of students and grade levels, with a focus on mathematics. Brittany also supports the rest of our instructional team through professional development, maintaining instructional resources, mentoring and collaborating on lesson plans.

At home, Brittany enjoys spending time with her husband, Tyler and their many pets, including their dogs, Rico and Emma, turtles, geckos and fancy rat, Jesse. Brittany enjoys hiking and kayaking as well as playing Minecraft online with friends.

Rebecca Stevens | Office Admin

If you call our office, you're most likely to speak with Rebecca! Here at Mind Over Math, Rebecca provides academic counseling and study skills support for students. She also assists in the day to day management of the office: fielding questions, helping students to check in and providing amazing support to staff, parents and students alike.

Rebecca received her B.S. in Psychology and M.H.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Florida. She loves being outdoors, appreciating nature. At home, Rebecca enjoys painting, jewelry-making and other crafts, as well as music and literature.

Adam Santoro | Tutor

Adam’s love for math and problem solving started at a young age with puzzle games and counting change. Originally from Syracuse, NY, Adam came to Wilmington after high school to continue his education. Adam excelled in calculus and began to tutor at Cape Fear Community College. When he graduated from UNCW with his Bachelors of Science in 2007, Adam was among the top in his class.

Adam has been working with Mind Over Math since 2010 and loves working one on one with students. Adam's passion for math allows him to tutor a wide array of students, but he particularly specializes in calculus and pre-calculus.

Cyrus Taylor | Tutor

Cyrus is originally from Pinehurst, NC, but graduated from UNC-Wilmington in May 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics with a teaching license. While in college, Cyrus was a STAE Tutor for New Hanover County for two years, working at Ashley High School, Hoggard High School, and Murray Middle School. Cyrus was also involved in a variety of aspects on the UNC-W campus; including being a Seahawk Link, Orientation Leader, Teaching Fellow, and Watson Student Leader.

After graduating, Cyrus moved to Jacksonville, NC to teach at Northside High School. During his four years at Northside, Cyrus taught multiple sections of Math II, Math III, Advanced Functions and Modeling, and PreCalculus. Cyrus recently moved back to Wilmington and currently teaches freshman mathematics at Isaac Bear Early College. Here at Mind Over Math, Cyrus specializes in tutoring Math I, II, III and AFM.

When not teaching or tutoring, Cyrus enjoys traveling and learning about other cultures by traveling abroad. Cyrus is also a huge theater nerd, with experience in both the on-stage performances, and backstage work.

Savannah Johnson | Tutor

Savannah attended Pfeiffer University and graduated in 2016 with a B.S. in Biology and Pre-Medical Studies and a minor in Chemistry. While at Pfeiffer University, she was an intern for National Geographic working with the Big Cats Initiative, an intern at the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center at the North Carolina Zoo, and a teaching assistant for Project Genes, a Pfeiffer University summer experience for high school students.

Savannah received a Masters in Marine Biology in December 2020 from UNC-Wilmington where she conducted research in a molecular genetics and evolutionary biology lab and worked as an Anatomy & Physiology lab instructor. Savannah is currently enrolled in UNCW's Secondary Education program where she is working towards her Masters in Teaching and licensure to become a high school science instructor.

Outside of work Savannah enjoys cooking, being outside, reading, traveling, and spending time with her family and fur babies Chunk, Paprika, and Presley.

Miranda Nelson | Tutor

Miranda is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science at UNC-Wilmington with a minor in Sports and Tourism. Miranda prioritizes academics and has continuously maintained a position on the university Dean's List. Post graduation, Miranda is planning on pursuing a career in the sustainable tourism industry in Wilmington.

Miranda enjoys caring for the planet and learning more about the microscopic world by volunteering with the Environmental Science department and UNCW Beekeepers. Outside of class, Miranda spends her time competing with the UNCW Equestrian team. She enjoys reading, yoga, and traveling.

Ariana Motamedi | Tutor

Ariana is from Cary, NC and is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at UNCW. Post graduation, Ariana is planning on pursuing a career in Dentistry with a specialty in Orthodontics. Ariana has consistently been on the Dean's list and values the importance of education and academic integrity.

Outside of work, Ariana enjoys creating artwork, playing the piano, practicing dance, and reading. She also volunteers weekly at Mother Hubbard's Cupboard in downtown Wilmington.

Emily Speake | Tutor

Emily is from Cary, NC and is currently pursuing a Bachelors degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in Math & Technology at UNC-Wilmington. Emily focuses on her academics and has earned a position on the university Dean's list multiple semesters. Post graduation, Emily is planning to pursue a position as an elementary school teacher somewhere in North Carolina.

Emily is very passionate about becoming an educator and she loves to work with children. She believes each and every child possesses an incredible capacity for learning and she aims to aid and support their academic journeys. Outside of work and school you can find Emily creating art, swimming at the beach, playing video games, and doing yoga.

Madeleine Franco| Tutor

Madeleine is from Cornelius NC and is pursuing a bachelors degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Theatre at UNCW. She is focused on academics and has maintained a position on the Dean's list throughout her college career. After graduation, Madeleine hopes to teach upper elementary students in Title 1 schools.

Madeleine is passionate about helping others to achieve their goals and to find a love of problem solving. She believes that every person possesses unique strengths and has the ability to learn. Madeleine endeavors to be an advocate for her students and strives to make math fun and engaging to each of her students.In her free time, Madeleine can be found reading books at the library, or at the beach. She also enjoys cooking, playing Minecraft, practicing yoga, and hiking.