Blue Ridge Boost Instructors

Leadership

Nora Evans
  

Nora Evans

Founder and CEO. Coding, robotics and math teacher.

Nora is originally from Bucharest, Romania and earned a B.Sc. in Computer Science at the Polytechnic University of Bucharest. Nora moved to Charlottesville in the Fall of 2004 to pursue graduate school at the University of Virginia, where she earned a Master’s in Computer Science in 2006, a Master of Science in Mathematics in 2014, and a Master of Teaching in 2022. Nora published serveral research articles in computer science and has several years of industry experience as a software developer. Nora has extensive teaching experience as Lecturer in the Mathematics Department at UVA, Algebra teacher at Peabody School, math student-teacher at Monticello High School, teaching and research assistant in the Computer Science Department at UVA. At Blue Ridge Boost, Nora selects and develops class content, coaches the robotics competition teams, teaches advanced math and computer science classes, and tutors students in math and computer science.

Ransford Dunu
  

Ransford Dunu

Manager. Coding and robotics.

Ransford is originally from Koforidua, Ghana. He moved to Charlottesville, Virginia with his parents as an infant. Currently, Ransford is working towards an Associate’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Computer Science. Ransford has experience in teaching teens and kids how to code. Through NSBE (National Society of Black Engineers) and Mrs. Early from Albemarle High School, Ranford taught middle schoolers to code a Sphero bots. He helped 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. At Blue Ridge Boost, Ransford teaches coding and robotics classes for elementary and middle school students both in classes and camp. Ransford also serves as coordinator for camps.

Instructors

Saumya Sharma
  

Saumya Sharma

Coding and robotics teacher.

Saumya is a 4th 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, Saumya has valued tutoring and working with students as a way to help bring the community forward by being involved in it. Saumya was on a FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) robotics team for 3 years and has continued her appreciation for Computer Science during my time at UVA. At Blue Ridge Boost, Saumya coaches the FLL Challenge Team and teaches the Vex IQ robotics classes.

Scarlett Morse
  

Scarlett Morse

Camp Instructor. Coding and Robotics teacher.

Scarlett lived in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and France, and graduated in 2024 from Albemarle High School, the Math, Engineering, and Science Academy. Scarlett is currently a student at the University of Virginia. Scarlett plans to study math and computer science, environmental science, political science, and French. Scartlet runs Mathemagicians, a math club at the Northside Library for teens interested in STEM. Scarlett also completed 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, Scarlett loves sharing her interest in technology and science with others!

Enrichment and tutoring in Math and Computing
for any student who wants to learn.
Led by Ana Nora Evans in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Blue Ridge Boost   Blue Ridge Boost

2171 Ivy Rd
Charlottesville, VA 22903
(434)260-0636
nora@blueridgeboost.com