Blue Ridge Boost Instructors
Nora Evans
Founder and owner. Coding, robotics and math teacher.I am originally from Bucharest, Romania and earned a B.Sc. in Computer Science at the Polytechnical University of Bucharest. I moved to Charlottesville in the Fall of 2004 to pursue graduate school at the University of Virginia, where I earned a Master's in Computer Science, a Master of Science in Mathematics, and a Master of Teaching. Some of my accomplishments include:
- co-author of several research articles in computer science
- several years of industry experience as a Java software developer
- First Lego League team lead and coach
- Calculus lecturer at the University of Virginia 2023-2024
- Algebra teacher at Peabody School 2022-2023
- AMC8 and MathCounts coach for the 2022-2023 season
- student-teacher at Monticello High School in Algebra 2, Precalculus, and Geometry
- co-founder and organizer of Cville Math Circle for preschool and elementary school-age girls
Ransford Dunu
Camp Coordinator. Coding and robotics teacher.I am originally from Koforidua, Ghana. I moved to Charlottesville, Virginia with my parents when I was 11 months old. I am currently working toward my Associate's Degree in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Computer Science.
I have experience in teaching teens and kids how to code. Through NSBE(Nation Society of Black Engineers) and Mrs. Early from Albemarle High School I was able to teach middle schoolers how to code a Sphero to get out of a maze. During that time I helped the students to understand critical thinking and problem-solving skills to be able to guide the Sphero out of not just one maze but an array of mazes with the same code.
Saumya Sharma
Coding and robotics teacher.I am from NoVa and am a current 3rd year at the University of Virginia working towards a degree in Global Public Health and a minor in Computer Science. As a member of the community, I have valued tutoring and working with students as a way to help bring the community forward by being involved in it. I was on a FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) robotics team for 3 years and have continued my appreciation for Computer Science during my time at UVA.
Christina Fowler
Coding and math teacher. Math tutor. Lead camp instructor ages 8 and 9.I am from Northern Virginia and graduated from JMU with my Master's in Teaching. I have taught 3rd grade for the past 5 years now. Outside of teaching, I enjoy tutoring students in elementary math and leading coding/robotics classes.
Hillary Han
Math teacher.I am originally from China and earned Bachelor's and Ph.D. degrees in Applied Mathematics at Northeastern University and Nankai University. After completing my doctoral studies, I worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Southern Denmark. I was responsible for teaching three graduate courses (Combinatorics, Algebra and Analytic Combinatorics) and was a teaching assistant for some undergraduate courses. I moved to Virginia with my family in the Spring of 2015.
Some of my accomplishments and work experience include
- First author of several research articles;
- Substitute Teacher at Albemarle County Public Schools;
- Mathematics Adjunct Faculty at Piedmont Virginia Community College;
- Online Mathematics Tutor at Cignition.
Akhil Marri
Coding and robotics teacher. Lead Instructor Camp Ages 10 to 13.I am from Charlottesville, Virginia, and will be attending Stanford this fall to work towards a degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering. With a background as an Eagle Scout, I've honed my skills in teaching and mentoring, particularly with younger individuals and teenagers. I have a passion for STEM and more specifically robotics. During high school, I founded an FTC team where my role as co-captain and Engineering Lead propelled our team to be ranked #1 in Virginia.
Scarlett Morse
Instructor Camp Ages 10 to 13.I have lived in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and France, and am currently a senior at Albemarle High School in the Math, Engineering, and Science Academy. Next year, I plan on going to either UVA or McGill to study math and computer science, environmental science, political science, and French. I run Mathemagicians, a math club at the Northside Library for teens interested in STEM, and did an internship at a pharmacy in Arzens, France working with a shelf-stocking robot. Whether tutoring peers and neighbors in math or tinkering with 3d printers and welding equipment, I love sharing my interest in technology and science with others!