Sacramento Instructors
Ria DeBiase
Hometown: Davis, Ca
College: U.C. Davis
About Me:
I've lived in Northern California all my life. I grew up in the Bay Area, moved to Sacramento before Junior High, and even went to school at UC Davis. I graduated with a major in Animal Biology (I've always loved animals) and a minor in Philosophy ( I also love a good debate), but my current career pertains to neither. Since my sophomore year of college when I discovered Lindy Hop, I've spent nearly all of my time performing, competing, teaching, and social dancing. Currently I teach at local, national, and international swing dance workshops, which has allowed me to travel to places like Korea, Australia,Sweden, France and Germany. In my free time I also enjoy making jewelry and perfumes, glassblowing, and reviewing old SAT math problems :)
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
Besides the idea of finally making good use of my pricey college education, I'm here because I love teaching. Teaching dance allows me to break down complex moves and fundamentals so that they can become accessible to the average person, and I want to do the same for the SAT. Once you see beyond all the smoke and mirrors, the SAT becomes far less intimidating. I love that Revolution prep tries to bring this perspective to everyone with endless scholarships, motivated teachers and a solid strategy for success.
Rhett Farinholt
Hometown: San Diego, CA
College: UCLA
About Me:
6'3, 180 lbs.
Thumbs up: playing basketball, irony, long walks on the beach.
Thumbs down: smokers, red states, parallelism.
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
There are only a few places in this world where people who obsess over grammatical constructions and right triangles can succeed. Luckily Revolution Prep is one such place.
Vincent Ibia
Hometown: San Jose
College: University of California, Berkeley
About Me:
To me knowing someone is existing with them - becoming familiar with their patterns, behavior etc. Simple facts just don't do the job!
I am currently completing my degree in Math at the University of California, Berkeley. I have this thing for coming up with puns, symbolic words with multiple meanings, and insisting that people not be afraid to assume the converse to see where it takes them. I also think it's fun/funny to be very vague in general because vague ~= broad and thus covers more (and so means more in general) than specific answers/examples.
Now that you are confused, I will give an example ^_^:
My initials: VI.
They can be looked at at the number 6 thanks to the Romans, 51, or the digits 5 and 1.
So if I wanted to be cool and have my own hand-sign, I only have to hold up one finger on my left hand and two on my right hand (a.k.a peace sign). This is where the fun begins!
Notice that 6 = 1+ 2 + 3
a. So if I were to hold up this "sign" twice (switching which hands held which fingers) then essentially, I've held up 6 fingers.
b. I run track. So the V (two fingers) is a nice way to proclaim victory, and the I (one finger) obviously means #1. Great things to "throw up" when you win.
c. So what about the second showing? If I only put up the sign once, then it's only three fingers. So, since I need six, I do it again! But now I need a meaning for the second time, otherwise it's redundant and not as cool. So, to offset the selfishness of referring to myself, the second I (read "one") if held point towards the sky stand for someone I believe in (if you know what I mean) and the second V stands for peace.
d. Of course don't forget than when you are in front me, I'm just holding up my initials. Now that's cool!
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
In my academic and athletic experience, I've be subject to beneficial and adverse instruction. What separates the two? As a student your 'job' is to learn; as a teacher to teach. However, to finish each phase, the student does not learn FOR the teacher, they learn for themselves. On the other hand, the teacher necessarily teaches for the STUDENT. The teacher already learned what they are teaching. They cannot be teaching themselves.
Give this implication, teachers should try their best to make individual students learn. Since it's obvious the material can be learned, poor achievement doesn't lie so heavily on the student's inability, as it does the teacher's.
There is more than one way to learn something.
That is the premise behind why I like to teach. I just want students to learn, and if they don't get it I want to find the way that they will understand, because it's already a given that they can.
Amit Rana
Hometown: Grand Rapids, MI
College: University of Michigan
About Me:
I was born in Europe and have lived all over the US. Most recently I attended High School and College in Michigan. I graduated from the University of Michigan with degrees in Political Science and History, and after graduation, I moved to California and have been working in Environmental Policy ever since. I enjoy working with young people in my community and Revolution Prep gives me an opportunity to help students find the tips and secrets to do well on the SAT and successfully move on University. In my free time, I enjoy watching and playing sports, and try to spend as much time as possible hiking and camping outdoors.
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
I teach for Revolution Prep because it offers scholarships and other incentives to ensure that it is reaching those students that otherwise would not have access to this kind of college preparation. I also believe in the unique teaching model that seeks to maximize each student's potential on standardized tests.
Jared Wright
Hometown: Williams, CA
College: University of San Diego
About Me:
I am a twenty-two years old college graduate. I spent four years in San Diego studying the humanities and architecture. I am looking forward to graduate school, but for now I enjoy surfing, writing, playing music and living the Revolution!
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
I believe in the program that Revolution Prep offers, because it truly is the best one out there. I enjoy working with so many other young, enthusiastic and dynamic instructors and I especially enjoy working with bay area high school students.