Tutor Bios

Martina Zamecnik
(Owner of 360 Learning Academy and Tutors Math and Science)

Martina graduated from Penticton Secondary School in 2001. She followed her dream of attending University on a full ride swimming scholarship. Her four and a half years at the University of Nebraska at Omaha were filled with many highlights some of which included competing at NCAA Nationals all four years, receiving NCAA Athletic and Academic titles, and graduating Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Chemistry. Her tutoring career had its roots in University, where she helped many student-athletes achieve their academic goals. Since returning home to Penticton in 2005, Martina coached a group of swimmers in the Kisu Swim club for a year, after which she took up tutoring once again. It was through the help of many Pen Hi counselors, especially Dave Nackoney, that Martina found her passion for teaching. She has over 15 years of experience working with all levels of high school math and science. Her goal is to empower students to live a wholesome life and help them achieve their academic endeavours so that all of their doors remain open in their future. In her spare time she enjoys all kinds of outdoor activities…hiking, biking, running, swimming and skate-skiing.She can also be found cultivating a backyard garden or creating fun and delicious meals in the kitchen with her young daughters. Read more…

Jean Gemmell
(Tutors Elementary and Middle School)

Jean graduated from Simon Fraser University with a Bachelor of General Studies Degree and a BC teaching certificate. She worked for several years in School District 85 Vancouver Island North and then worked for many years as a teacher on call in Penticton and Summerland aftermoving to the Okanagan. Jean has taught in all schools in the Okanagan Skaha School District, primarily working with students from Kindergarten to Grade 8. She has worked with adults with Developmental Disabilities in a residential setting, and has been a volunteer tutor at Okanagan College in the Adult Literacy Program.In her spare time, she enjoys running, walking, hiking, riding her mountain bike as well as yoga and fitness classes. Recent travels have been to Mexico and Portugal. Read more…

Daphne O’Sullivan
(Tutors English, French and Spanish)

Born and raised in the UK, Daphne came to live in Canada 40 years ago and has just recently retired from 30 years of full-time teaching in the private school system. Prior to teaching here in Canada, she travelled extensively throughout Europe, North and South America, where she was part of a UK sponsored climbing expedition in the Cordillera Blanca and Patagonia. Daphne began her teaching career at The Glenfir School in Summerland, where, as a founding teacher, she taught Spanish, French and Language Arts to Grades 5-11. She has taught English Literature, English Grammar, Spanish and Social Studies for the past 12 years at Aberdeen Hall Preparatory School in Kelowna. Daphne has an enduring passion for teaching and learning, her philosophy being that there are no limits to what students can achieve, provided they are loved, supported, encouraged and inspired to reach their full potential in any field of academic, artistic or physical endeavour. Aside from teaching, Daphne enjoys many sports, particularly track and field events, hiking and skiing, and she loves to compete in Masters track and field championships throughout Canada and beyond, whenever opportunity presents itself. Daphne has one son, an engineer and avid rock climber, who lives in Calgary. Read more…

Tyler Gerelus
(Tutors Math and Physics)

Tyler graduated from Penticton secondary school in 2013 and enjoyed some years travelling abroad before pursuing post secondary education. He then went on to the University of British Columbia where he graduated with a Bachelor Degree in Engineering. He found interest in tutoring through studying with other students in college and being able to explain complex concepts to them. He hopes to find ways to show real world applications of mathematics to his students and to create the same awe and curiosity of the world for others. In his spare time Tyler can be found alpine skiing, mountain biking, and playing soccer. Read more…

Edie Johnson
(Tutors Elementary/Middle School)

Edie first started her career, in 1985, working in Victoria followed by Kitimat. She then moved to the Okanagan and worked for 15 years in the Penticton school district before retiring in 2018. She had the opportunity to work with students in all grades, K-12, who were struggling with different learning challenges. She also took 2 years of sign language and oral interpreting to work with students who had hearing impairments. Edie has also enjoyed crafting, sewing and drawing for many years. She has sewn quilts for countless babies and her own sons were recipients of her creations including jackets, pj’s and quilts. She continues to teach teens sewing. Nothing warms her heart more than seeing the accomplishments of children who have learned to do a difficult task. She’s looking forward to working with students at 360 Learning Academy and sharing her joy of learning with them. Read more…

Ian Johnson
(Tutors Science, Chemistry, Physics & Math)

Ian retired June 2020 after 32 years of teaching in BC. After completing a Physics degree at UBC and teacher training at UVIC Ian taught Computer Science courses for 7 years in Kitimat BC. Eventually he moved his family from the land of rain and snow to the sunny Okanagan, teaching in Keremeos, where he made up ⅔’s of the science department, teaching Chemistry and Physics at the 11 and 12 levels as well as the junior sciences 8-10. Teaching in a small school gave Ian the opportunity to get to know his students over a number of years and a number of courses and he spent many lunch hours working with students one on one. “When a student says they don’t understand something (or anything!), often the reality is that they are missing one key part of a concept. Helping the student find that ‘missing piece’, like the last piece of a puzzle, is that ‘aha’ moment, and suddenly everything makes much more sense”. In retirement Ian and his wife have spent a lot of time renovating their new old house in Summerland and their ‘92 Airstream. They have two boys, both graduates of Pen Hi. As he used to say to his students, “I only know so many jokes, so you will hear them more than once. Just know that if you choose to laugh, you are only encouraging me.” Read more…

Allan Cruickshank
(Tutors Math)

Allan graduated from UBC with a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Mathematics, and as well a Bachelor of Education in Secondary Mathematics. After teaching high school mathematics in the lower mainland in Richmond B.C. for 29 years, Allan moved to the Okanagan to finish his 35 year teaching career in Oliver teaching Mathematics and Photography, retiring in June 2023. Allan has taught all levels of math from Math 8 up to Calculus 12. He has tutored students throughout his career and has found that the success his students have enjoyed has been especially rewarding. Allan draws on his years of experience teaching math to be able to find many different ways to explain concepts to students in order to find a way that makes sense to the student. When he is not tutoring, he can be found on his small acreage tending to the horses, chickens, dogs, cats, and even a python. Read more…