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.

Brittany Whitener | Assistant Director

Brittany joined the Mind Over Math team in 2017. Brittany sees herself as a problem solver and finds it very rewarding to connect with each student, building math skills and self-confidence. She is passionate about her role as an educator and enjoys providing in-person and online instruction to a wide variety of students and grade levels, with a focus on mathematics.

Initially a part-time tutor, Brittany discovered great joy in helping others to succeed. She completed a a Bachelor's of Science in Mathematics from UNC-Wilmington in December 2018. Later, Brittany accepted the full-time role of lead tutor, supporting the rest of our instructional team through professional development, maintaining instructional resources, mentoring and collaborating on lesson plans. With the start of the 2022 school year, Brittany took on a new challenge - her current role as the assistant director at Mind Over Math.

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.

Tess Miller | Test Prep Coordinator

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 teaches full-time for Pender County Schools. She also 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.

Rebecca Stevens | Academic Counselor & 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 to students of all ages in addition to specializing in middle grades math. Rebecca 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.

Savannah Bath | 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.

Dana Purvis | Tutor

Dana graduated from UNC-Wilmington in 2011 where she received her B.A in Communication. Following graduation, she joined Teach For America which sent her to Miami, Florida to teach Title I elementary students for Miami-Dade County Public Schools. Here, Dana realized her passion for math instruction, in particular, and was recognized continuously for standout student scores and her positive classroom environment.

In addition to teaching, Dana trained as an instructional coach in K-8 mathematics and joined Teach For America’s Miami staff. After many wonderful years in her Miami classroom, Dana moved to Orlando, Florida where she worked as a District Administrator supporting teachers, instructional coaches, school administrators, and thousands of students on their K-8 mathematics instruction and proficiency. Dana brings over a decade of successful educational experience and passion to her role at Mind Over Math. Though she has held a wide variety of educational roles over the years, Dana most enjoys working directly with students in small groups and one-on-one experiences.

Phil Kester | Tutor

Phil has been a math fanatic his entire life. Growing up in Winston-Salem, NC as the son of teachers, Phil learned the sevens times tables at three years old by watching football and counting touchdowns. The math addiction did not end there, as he learned to solve Rubik's Cubes, track sports statistics, and have fun with recreational math.

Phil attended the Early College of Forsyth and earned an associates degree and high school diploma simultaneously. From there, he moved to Wilmington and attended UNCW. Phil earned a BS degree in mathematics in 2019, and a MS degree in mathematics in 2020. He started his teaching career by tutoring in the UNCW math lab.

Here at Mind Over Math, Phil specializes in tutoring high school and college mathematics, statistics, and physics. Phil also currently works as an instructor and tutor at Cape Fear Community College.

In his free time, Phil loves playing and listening to music and spending time with his pets Mogu (cat) and Floyd (dog).

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, playing Minecraft, practicing yoga or hiking.

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. Ariana has consistently been on the Dean's list and values the importance of education and academic integrity. Post graduation, Ariana is planning on pursuing a career in dentistry and specializing in one of the exciting fields dentistry has to offer.

Here at Mind Over Math, Ariana enjoys working with K-8 students and sparking their interest in math and science. Outside of work, Ariana enjoys creating artwork, playing the piano, practicing dance, and reading.

Tierney O'Brien| Tutor

Tierney grew up in Vermont and is working towards a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology with a minor in psychology at UNCW. She has always loved math and science and has maintained a position on the Dean's list throughout her college career. Tierney's tutoring specialties are middle school math, middle school science, and chemistry.

Tierney has a passion for all things ocean and enjoys volunteering at the UNCW Benthic Ecology Lab. After graduation, Tierney is hoping to travel and work with coral restoration projects all over the world. In her free time, you can find Tierney scuba diving, learning the ukulele, baking or playing softball with the UNCW club team.