Our Team

Senior Advisor

Klaus Hoechsmann

PhD, Professor Emeritus, UBC

Using the principles he teaches, “mathematics, like singing, is for everyone – not only the three tenors”, Klaus Hoechsmann inspires teachers to love and understand mathematics. He is a devoted scholar of mathematics who went from research mathematician to a trainer of math teachers, to play-wright and public disseminator of mathematics. He is co-founder of the elementary grades math contest (ELMACON) and the author of the PIMS math-posters that were seen on busses throughout the year 2000.

Senior Advisor

Nataša Sirotić

BSc, BEd, MSc, PhD

Dr. Sirotić believes that through inspired teaching and mentorship, anyone can succeed in mathematics and develop the confidence, creativity, and critical-thinking skills that are essential in life. She is an experienced educator with 20+ years of teaching experience in both public and independent schools where she has taught mathematics from Kindergarten to Calculus, and acted as Head of the Mathematics Department at two independent schools. In her classes, high expectations are blended with guidance and encouragement. She co-founded Math Potentials with the mission to help young people discover the meaning, purpose, and joy that are inherent in mathematics, which in turn will open opportunities and equip them for success in life. Dr. Sirotić is also active in the fields of mathematics education research and teacher education. She has worked as a Lecturer and Faculty Advisor at the University of British Columbia, where she instructed courses for preservice elementary and secondary mathematics teachers and mentored new teachers into the profession.

Strategic Advisor

Diana Kovac

BSc, ASA

Diana is a graduate of the Math Circles program, and has been involved ever since, first as an instructor and now as Strategic Advisor. She has an Actuarial Mathematics degree from SFU and is an Associate of the Society of Actuaries. Having a strong math background has helped her in her studies and career, and she is passionate about passing that math knowledge and confidence on to students. She enjoys attending conferences and workshops on math education to continuously improve the Math Circles program.

Programs Director

Mario Sirotic

BaSc

Having completed the Math Circles program himself, Mario has a unique perspective on the program which allows him to communicate with and teach his students effectively. He has been involved with Math Potentials in nearly every aspect, first as a student of the program to a teacher, administrator, and now the Programs Director. Mario has a background in the field of mining engineering, which has granted him a strong math foundation.

MSc, BSc

Gleb Glebov

After completing A levels in England in 2010, Gleb moved to the US and received an award and a scholarship for outstanding performance and interest in Mathematics and earned his BSc degree in Mathematics. After receiving his undergraduate degree, Gleb pursued further education in Canada and received a graduate entrance scholarship from SFU. After obtaining his MSc degree in Mathematics from SFU, he began teaching. After graduation, Gleb worked at SFU, Fraser International College, and Coquitlam College and has taught Mathematics at other academic institutions. Some of his students have even received awards for outstanding performance in Mathematics. Gleb is an enthusiastic yet demanding teacher who genuinely wants students to succeed. He structures his lessons in ways that allow him to guide his students and address their needs. Gleb focuses on thought-provoking examples and the aesthetic aspects of Mathematics. He presents technical areas of Mathematics in their historical context to make them understandable and broadly appreciable. Gleb believes in the importance of creativity and discovery in learning Mathematics. His goal is to spark his students’ interest and help them flourish.

BEd

Hee jin Hyun

Hee jin has a degree in Mathematics from UBC and has completed her UBC B.Ed. Program. She is currently working towards her Master of Mathematics for Teachers from the University of Waterloo. She works as a teacher within the Coquitlam School District and is a private tutor. She would like to reinvent the image of a Mathematics classroom through the use of innovative teaching methodologies and varied assessment. Her goal is to encourage students to take an active and engaging role in their learning by facilitating opportunities for inquiry, collaboration and reflection. Outside of teaching, she loves camping and travelling around the world.

BSC, BEd

Iulia Dobritoiu

Iulia completed her degree in Mathematics in Romania where she taught for several years before moving to Canada in 2008. She grew up observing her mother teaching and discovered her passion for mathematics when her elementary school teacher encouraged her to develop her talent and trained her for the Math Olympiads. Upon moving to Canada, she completed her degree in the field of education and earned a B.Ed. degree at SFU, and continued to work in her chosen career as a mathematics teacher. Iulia is currently teaching a wide range of grades, including elementary and high school students, in whom she seeks to inspire the love of learning mathematics. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time in nature, traveling and exploring new places.

PhD

Marcel Sincraian

Marcel Sincraian has been working with numbers whole his life as an Engineer, Accountant, Math and Physics teacher. While an Engineer, he got his Ph.D. in Civil Engineering. He participated in European engineering research projects in soil dynamics. He published papers in international Engineering Journals and international Conferences. He is a passionate, warm, and funny Mathematics and Physics teacher. He is always ready to share his knowledge in Math and Physics. Because of his teaching passion, he decided to help the students with a few math books. From Introduction to Calculus to pure Calculus. He is continually writing new Math and Physics books hoping to help students with other parts of Mathematics and Physics. His hobbies are, reading, traveling, camping.

BSE, MSc, MBA, PhD

Mike Shen

Mike’s background is in electrical engineering, and he has worked at the university level as an instructor and in student affairs. Mike is currently working towards his teaching certificate to fulfill his childhood dream of teaching math at the secondary school level. In his spare time, he volunteers as community basketball coach in south Surrey.

BSc, BEd, MEd

Pawel Chrzastowski

Pawel graduated from Warsaw University with Masters Degree in Applied Mathematics. After graduation, he worked in a prestigious high school in Warsaw for four years teaching mathematics and computer science. When he moved to Canada he obtained his BEd Degree at the University of Calgary in 1995 and then a Masters Degree from Simon Fraser University in 2004 with a specialty in high school math education. This lead him to teach high school math in Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver.

Pawel now lives in Vancouver with his family. He loves playing logical games such as Chess, GO and Bridge; he enjoys classical music, especially the piano; and he loves to take advantage of the outdoors, including weekly hikes, skiing adventures, swimming sessions and bike rides.

BSc, BEd

Nayeon Kim

Nayeon has completed her Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and is currently completing her master’s in Secondary Math Education at Simon Fraser University. She is a full-time math teacher working in the Surrey School District. Nayeon is interested in exploring various math curricula to better assist students’ learning. Outside of teaching, Nayeon likes to travel and try out different cuisines.

Programs Director

Mario Sirotic

BaSc

Having completed the Math Circles program himself, Mario has a unique perspective on the program which allows him to communicate with and teach his students effectively. He has been involved with Math Potentials in nearly every aspect, first as a student of the program to a teacher, administrator, and now the Programs Director. Mario has a background in the field of mining engineering, which has granted him a strong math foundation.