Tutor Bios | 360 Learning Academy

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…

Arianna Lasinski
(Tutors Math and English)

Arianna graduated from Penticton Secondary School’s French Immersion program, where she spent her high school years dancing at Okanagan Dance Studios and playing the violin. Her passion for science and math led her to pursue a degree at the University of Toronto, where she earned an Honours Bachelor of Science in Astrophysics and Mathematics. During her four years at U of T, Arianna was also a proud member of the university’s varsity dance team, which helped her develop skills in balancing rigorous academics with the discipline and teamwork required in the performing arts. Arianna’s love for teaching began in high school and continued throughout university, where she supported students in mastering challenging concepts in math, physics, and English. Since graduating, she has continued to tutor students of all levels, helping them build confidence, develop strong problem-solving skills, and achieve their academic goals. Her teaching approach is rooted in patience, adaptability, and respect for each student’s unique learning style. Most recently, Arianna spent a year at sea working as a professional dancer and actor aboard Disney Cruise Line. This chapter of her journey helped her grow as a communicator, problem-solver, and mentor—strengths she brings to each tutoring session. Arianna believes that learning should be empowering and enjoyable. Whether students are preparing for a test, catching up in class, or aiming to deepen their understanding, her goal is to create a supportive and engaging environment where they feel encouraged to grow. In her spare time, Arianna enjoys dancing, playing music, going to the beach, and spending time with friends and family.

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…

Mark Simons
(Tutors Math and Physics)

Mark is a high school math and physics teacher, and enthusiastic tutor! He has a Bachelor of Arts (2012), Masters of Management (2013), and Bachelor of Education (2024) as a math specialist from UBC. While he is currently working part time as a high school teacher, he keeps some afternoon and weekend hours available where he continues his passion for one-on-one learning. Mark has had hundreds of students, and many thousands of hours of tutoring experience. Mark is driven by the prospect of developing fascination, wonder, and achievement in STEM subjects for young learners (if the student isn’t as eager, he is also happy to get them to a passing grade in a somewhat enjoyable manner). Mark is a nature enthusiast, who hikes regularly and is always thankful to bump into a friendly black bear; Mark has traveled all over the world, loves puzzles, games, and challenges, and is ready to work with his next student! Read more…

Morgan Steel
(Tutors Elementary/Middle and High School)

After growing up in small town Saskatchewan, Morgan graduated with both a Certificate in French and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Regina. After serving 24 years in the RCMP, she pivoted to the role of educator and spent two years teaching Grades 9 and 10 at a British Columbia Offshore School in Foshan, China. Since returning from overseas, she has worked for an independent online school both as an educator and a curriculum designer, creating numerous Applied Design, Skills and Technology (ADST), Social Studies and Arts Education courses. In her spare time, she enjoys various outdoor activities, reading, drawing, cooking and spending time with her two grown daughters. She looks forward to learning with you! 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…

David Adamson
(Tutors Math, Physics, Chemistry, Science)

David was born and raised in a small mining town in Yorkshire, England. After attending the University of Birmingham, where he earned a bachelors degree in Minerals Engineering, he worked in the mining industry in the UK. Some years later he was fortunate to be offered a job in Edmonton, working as an engineer, for a natural resource company. David returned to university, this time to the University of Alberta, earning a Master’s in Business. He subsequently worked in a dual role as a financial analyst and senior process engineer, with the same natural resource company. In 1998, David became hooked on teaching. He was asked to teach business to university students, on a part time basis. Shortly thereafter, he returned to the University of Alberta for his Bachelor’s in Education, followed by a Master’s and Doctorate in Education. David taught high school chemistry, physics and math at public schools in Alberta and an independent school in Vancouver. He was department head of science at two of those schools. Most recently, David and his wife, Yasmin, ran an after school program teaching chemistry and physics 11 and 12, math 7 to 9, remedial math, English and ESL. Outside of his working life, David spent many years coaching and playing football (soccer), he has completed 13 marathons and numerous Olympic distance triathlons. Although not competing any longer, his training regime continues. David and Yasmin have four grown-up children, who have left home and 3 dogs and a cat who are still at home. Read more…

Shannon Stevenson
(Tutors Elementary)

Shannon and her husband recently moved to Penticton to join their four sons, two daughters in law, and two granddaughters. Having grown up living in various places all over Canada, it seemed only natural that after completing college, getting married, and later graduating with a Bachelor degree, she continued moving coast to coast in Canada and even to Zimbabwe, working in a variety of roles with children, youth, and young adults. She is thankful for the opportunity to have homeschooled her sons for 13 years and loved the quality & quantity of family time it allowed and the love of learning that it fostered in all involved! When her family’s homeschool years ended, she went back into the workforce and continued working with kids and youth – as a college-level English Comp TA, as a head librarian, a college registrar, and then co-executive director of a camp. Wanting to keep learning and growing, Shannon is currently working on an Educational Therapy program and is excited to explore new ways to help students learn, particularly elementary aged children. She loves to travel and learn about different cultures and has enjoyed quite a bit of international travel. She is also very home-centered and since coming to the Okanagan, she has loved being reunited, and spending time with, family and friends in the area. When not doing renovations on their new home, she loves exploring the great local hiking options, reading, learning guitar, and just figuring out all of the things to enjoy in their new hometown.