The Right Approach To Education
Teacher
Specialties
Math (all levels)
Ecology
Education
Education: B.A. Poly Sci and English, Santa Clara University
Juris Doctoris: UPENN
Kyle was born in Ohio, but grew up in the East Bay from age four. After finishing high school, Kyle went to SF State University where he studied plant biology. He then worked as a plant biologist for the US Forest Service near Yosemite National Park. Eventually, Kyle returned to SF State University where he earned a master’s degree in mathematics and spent several years teaching mathematics at SF State as a graduate student. In his free time, Kyle enjoys backpacking, disc golf, xbox, and stock market trading.
Specialties
Math (All Levels), Physics
Erika is a Bay Area native, living with her family just a mile from where she grew up in San Carlos. After graduating from Notre Dame High School, she studied psychology at Santa Clara University and received her elementary teaching credential from Notre Dame de Namur University. She began her career teaching middle school science, then went on to run her own third grade classroom in La Honda for several years. After starting a family, she job shared in kindergarten and first grade in San Carlos, tutored all ages, and later began teaching young children and supporting their parents at a co-op preschool. When she's not sharing her love of learning with students, Erika loves catching sunrise and sunset, walking barefoot on the beach, reading, cooking, raising chickens, learning to garden, and spending time with family and friends.
The Right Approach was founded in 2010 by Jamie Govoni. Jamie is a graduate of the University of Vermont's prestigious child education program. She was named Student Teacher of the Year in 2002 by university faculty. Jamie moved to California in 2003 and taught middle school for four years. After becoming disenchanted with the state's insistence on teaching children based on standardized testing, Jamie sought alternative teaching methods. She has combined her training from a Bay Area Waldorf teaching program with her knowledge of traditional teaching styles, along with teaching students with learning disabilities, and SAT/ACT English and writing. She also has an ages 3-5 Montessori certificate, which helps when teaching her own small children at home.
Teacher
Nayan Saha is a Bay Area native who graduated from Aragon High School in 2020 and New York University in 2024. Nayan has worked as a Teacher's Assistant at high school and college levels and taught a range of summer and after-school classes for children in grades K-5. She specializes in teaching English to students of all levels, excelling in helping students find their voice in their work while mastering their technical skills.
She recently completed a B.F.A. in Game Design, specializing in art and writing for games. While not at TRA, Nayan works as an independent game developer with an eight-person team. In her spare time, she enjoys drawing, going on long walks, and spending time with her dog, Wiggles.
Heriberto Rodriguez
Teacher
Specialties
K-5 All Subjects
Math All Levels
Education
Education: B.F.A. in Game Design from New York University
Specialties
K-12 English
K-8 All Subjects
Tutor
Sebastian was born and raised in the Bay Area. He attended Saint Ignatius College Prep and went on to study Mathematics at Cal Poly Pomona. Sebastian has always had a passion for social work, having worked with children as young as a few months old through Childcare Careers, and volunteering with seniors up to 90 years old at Janet Pomeroy Rehabilitation Center. Teaching math is the perfect blend of Sebastian’s dual interests in social work and mathematics. He believes math can be fun for everyone and enjoys helping students discover their own problem-solving stratagies. In his free time, Sebastian likes to challenge his mind by playing sudoku and chess.
Education
B.A. in Mathematics, San Francisco State University
B.A. in Ecology, San Francisco State University
M.A. in Mathematics, San Francisco State University
TRA Founder & CEO, Teacher
Teacher
About Us
The Right Approach to Education provides Waldorf inspired 1-1 and small group tutoring to students in grades K-12 and beyond. We are a dedicated staff of credentialed teachers and specialists who work to understand the needs of each learner who walks through our doors. We integrate all learning styles and teach through movement, visual aids, music, and hands-on activities. This approach is so effective, we now work with students from over 50 Bay Area schools, and have helped over a thousand families in not only academics, but also test preparation and education consultation.
Charlie is a Bay Area native who discovered a passion for STEM at an early age. They enjoy puzzles and increasing their mathematical knowledge, but most of all they enjoy sharing their knowledge with others through teaching. Charlie has an A.S. in Mathematics as well as Physics from Foothill College and recently graduated with a BA in Mathematics for Teaching at SFSU.
When not practicing math and physics, Charlie likes to listen to and play music. Their favorite instrument is the ukulele, but they are also learning to play the guitar, mandolin, and drums.
College Advisor, Teacher
Education
B.S. Astrophysics, UC Santa Cruz
Specialties
K-5 all subjects
Math all levels
Education
B.A. in Computer Engineering from Cal Poly SLO
Heri was born in Mexico and raised in the Bay Area. He attended CSM, then transferred to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo where he studied Computer Engineering. After graduation, he worked for a startup for about a year as an iOS Developer, then he transitioned into education. He worked as a math tutor at United for Success Academy, helping sixth and seventh graders. During his second and third years working there, his students showed significant growth by the end of the year as measured by the student growth percentile in the STAR test. He also worked at C2 Education helping mainly high school students prepare for the math portion of the SAT and ACT. Heriberto benefited from tutoring in college, which greatly impacted his performance in his science and math classes. He wants other students to have the same experience and realize that anyone can excel at math and science.
Specialties
Early Childhood, K-8 all subjects
Teacher
Specialties
All Subjects (K-8), Writing & Literature (High School)
Gabbie is an East Bay native with a wide range of educational experiences. She was diagnosed with ADD and a visual-auditory-processing disorder at 6 years old. She spent many school years in both the remedial and GATE or rapid learning classes. However, she fought her way through and achieved a Bachelor of Science in Astrophysics from UCSC, the top Astrophysics program in the country.
Gabbie's teaching philosophy is that every person learns differently, and she loves finding methods that work for each student. She believes everyone can learn and make sense of any concept or formula with the proper help. Gabbie wants students to know that it does not matter if they have a learning disability, dyslexia, or just a good old fashioned hatred of numbers, she has got their backs.
Gabbie has worked with students ages 9 to 71, from the formal classroom to individual tutoring, online tutoring, and even outdoor education. Her passion for supporting students in math and science comes through with her sense of humor, intrinsic love of all math, and her philosophy that the more people comfortable with math and science the better the world will be!
Christina was born and raised in the Bay Area. She attended Mercy High School in Burlingame and then went on to earn her B.A. in History and Psychology at Stanford University. After completing her undergraduate degrees, Christina worked for a college preparation program for students who, like herself, would be the first in their families to attend college. After almost four years of working with students and families, she went on to UC Davis School of Law where she earned her J.D. in 2008. Over the first five years of her career as an attorney she handled issues ranging from criminal law to labor and employment litigation in the private, public, and non-profit sectors. When not at TRA, she works for the federal government in civil rights enforcement matters.
Christina spends her spare time with her partner and her three very active children ages 20, 11, and 10. She loves to cook, travel, and dance to all types of music.
Education
A.S. Mathematics & Physics, Foothill College
B.A. Mathematics, San Francisco State University
Single Subject Math Teaching Credential (in-progress)
Specialties
K-12 English
Test Preparation
Samantha was born and raised in the Bay Area, and was in fact, one of TRA's very first students! After having worked with Jamie throughout middle school and high school, Samantha went off to Santa Clara University to obtain a dual-degree in Political Science and English while minoring in Philosophy. After working in unhoused services for two years post-grad, Samantha continued her educational career by receiving her Juris Doctris at the University of Pennsylvania in May of 2024. Samantha now works at the Public Defender's Office in San Francisco as a Catalyst Fellow with the University of Pennsylvania. When not working, Sam enjoys weight lifting, sustainable fashion, and riding her motorcycle on the Coast.
Charlie Westly
Teacher
Teacher, administrative Assistant
Teacher
Bridget Johns
Erika Stratz
Specialties
K-12 English
English Test Preparation- SAT/HSPT
Gabbie Blachman
Specialties
College Applications
English (Grades 9-12)
Kyle Bradach
Bridget was born and raised in the Bay Area and graduated from Aragon High School. She received a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Oregon in 2022. While studying psychology, Bridget completed a thesis on the effects of nutrition on infant brain development and how vitamin B1 deficiency can affect infant and adult cognitive functioning. She spent two years in Rodez, France teaching English to children ages 2-12. This fall, she will be attending Hastings School of Law in San Francisco. In her spare time, Bridget enjoys gardening, cooking, and practicing Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
Education
B.A. Psychology, French University of Oregon
Hastings School of Law (currently attending)
Education
B.A. Education, University of Vermont
CA Certified Teaching Credential
Waldorf Teacher Training, NAMC
Montessori Early Childhood Diploma
Christina González
Education
BS in Mathematics and Statistics, Cal Poly Pamona
Jamie Govoni Hobe
Sebastian Santos
Teacher
Education
B.S. Psychology, Santa Clara University
Professional Clear Multiple Subject Credential- College of Notre Dame
Education
B.A., Political Science and History, Notre Dame de Namur University
M.A., Latin American Area Studies, University of London
J.D., with Certificate in Public Interest and Social Justice, Santa Clara University
Education
B.A. History and Psychology, Stanford University
Doctorate of Jurisprudence, UC Davis Law School
Samantha Pérez (picture coming soon!)
Nayan Saha
Specialties
Math (All Levels) and Physics, working with kids who "hate" math
Staff
Mallory Barr
Specialties
K-12 English
English Test Preparation- SAT/HSPT
Mallory was born and raised in the Bay Area. She attended Santa Clara High School and then went on to earn her B.A. in Political Science and History at Notre Dame de Namur University. Mallory complete her Master's Degree in Latin American Area Studies at the University of London. After returning to the sunny and warm Bay Area, Mallory worked for a tutoring company helping kindergarten through middle school students with English/Language Arts and Math and then for a local chapter of the Boys and Girls Club leading after-school programs. After almost three years of working with students and families, she went on to work in the legal field, including earning her J.D. from Santa Clara University while working full time for a local law firm. But, Mallory kept her foot in education, lecturing in American Government at her alma mater, Notre Dame de Namur University, and coaching youth soccer teams from under-sixes to high school levels. Over the first three years of her career as an attorney she handled issues ranging from fraud to labor and employment litigation.
Mallory spends her spare time with her partner and three very active children ages 1, 3, and 7. She loves to read, travel, and listen to all types of music.