The Right Approach To Education
Specialties
Math (all levels)
Ecology
Education
BA in Biological Science and Chicanx Studies, UC Davis
Masters in Forensic Science, Syracuse University (in progress)
Maya grew up in the Bay Area and attended Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory before going to UC Davis where she earned her BA in Biology and Chicanx Studies. She is currently pursuing a Master’s in Forensic Science at Syracuse University in New York, where she continues to explore her passion for science and its real-world applications. Maya has worked as a tutor in reading and writing the last few years, and is excited to put all of her science and math education to work in a new capacity. In her spare time she enjoys baking, reading, working out, and spending time with friends and family.
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.
Administrative Assistant
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.
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.
Mallory Barr
Specialties
K-8 math, English
Chemistry, Biology, Physics
Algebra, Geometry
Alexandra was born and raised in the Bay Area. She attended Saint Ignatius College Preparatory before going to UC Riverside to complete a B.S. in Neuroscience and a music minor. During this time, she participated in her university's choir, worked as an EMT, and volunteered at free clinics around the Inland Empire. After finishing university, she returned to the Bay and is currently attending UCSF to pursue a master's in biomedical imaging. In her free time, Alexandra enjoys long walks with her dog, going to the gym, singing, learning special FX makeup, and solving puzzles!
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: No Availability
Education
B.F.A., Game Design, New York University
M.S. Information Systems, Northeastern University (in progress)
Nayan Saha
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 their passion for STEM at an early age. They enjoy problem solving and increasing their mathematical knowledge, but most of all they enjoy sharing their knowledge with others through teaching. Charlie has a BA in Mathematics for Teaching from San Francisco State University, and a BS in Geology from Cal State East Bay. They are currently excited to apply their mathematics and physics background to help decode Earth's systems by pursuing a PhD in Geophysics focusing on volcano seismology. When not practicing math and physics, Charlie likes to craft and play music.
College Advisor, Teacher
Specialties
K-12 English
English Test Preparation- SAT/HSPT
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
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.
Specialties
All subjects K-5
Math gr. 6-12 (including algebra, precal, calc)
Science 6-12 (including bio, chem, and physics)
Spanish
Specialties
Early Childhood, K-8 all subjects
Specialties
All Subjects (K-8), Writing & Literature (High School)
Specialties
K-12 English
K-8 All Subjects
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
B.S. in Geology, Cal State East Bay
Lone was born and raised in Denmark and moved to the U.S. with her family in 2019. With over 20 years of experience as an office administrator, she is dedicated to ensuring students and parents feel like part of the TRA family, both online and in person at the Belmont location. Outside of work, Lone enjoys creating memories with her family by exploring her 'new' home country as well as Europe.
Seth Royston
Charlie Westly
Education
Education: B.F.A. in Game Design from New York University
Administrative Assistant, Teacher
Assistant Director, Teacher
Lone Gosvig
Erika Stratz
Specialties
Math (All Levels)
Physics, Chemistry
Specialties
College Applications
English (Grades 9-12)
Kyle Bradach
Seth was born and raised in Hawaii. After graduating from New York University in 2024, he worked as an after school coding and robotics teacher for elementary school students and as a high school Special Educational Assistant, before moving to the Bay Area to complete a Masters in Information Systems. He loves helping students work through and understand difficult concepts. When not at TRA, Seth likes reading, making music, and programming.
Education
B.A. Education, University of Vermont
CA Certified Teaching Credential
Waldorf Teacher Training, NAMC
Montessori Early Childhood Diploma
Maya Medina
Christina González
Education
B.A. UC Riverside, Neuroscience, Music Minor
Master's Degree in Biomedical Imaging- in progress
Jamie Govoni Hobe
Alexandra Wu
Education
B.S. Psychology, Santa Clara University
Professional Clear Multiple Subject Credential- College of Notre Dame
Education
B.A. History and Psychology, Stanford University
Doctorate of Jurisprudence, UC Davis Law School