#TeamCM: Admin
Amanda Burke | Director of instructional support
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Amanda holds degrees from UC Berkeley in Art and American Studies, with a focus on racial identity development. In their 12 years as an educator, Amanda has taught art and high school English, mentored and supervised other tutors, and directed and worked with local community programs that combat white supremacy and serve youth.
Amanda is a down-to-earth and compassionate advocate who works side by side with students within an anti-capitalist framework to help them feel empowered as active learners in and outside of the classroom. They help students work with their neurotype, mental health, and disabilities while acknowledging and navigating systemic challenges as a team. With Amanda, students practice tapping into their inner strengths, community support, self-compassion, metacognition, and self-advocacy. Amanda builds meaningful connections with their students, who often return to work with them year after year!
In their spare time, Amanda likes to walk the Bay, get lost in new video game worlds, make art (at East Bay Slimes, where they make & sell slime for stimming and stress relief!) and advocate for Covid safety and universal masking as an act of solidarity with and care for immunocompromised and marginalized communities.
jen chinn | administrative coordinator
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Born and raised on unceded Ramaytush Ohlone land (Bay Area), Jen has had the privilege of working with youth for over 15 years. She holds Master’s degrees from UC Berkeley in Social Welfare and from Fordham University in Childhood Special Education. She is a warm, relational, and affirming tutor who meets students where they are at.
As a former elementary school teacher and school counseling intern, Jen could often be found making up songs, playing games, and finding creative ways to make the learning process more enjoyable. Unfortunately, Jen also knows what it’s like to feel othered, powerless, and self-doubtful. As a result, she is committed to co-creating a safe, supportive environment where students can expand, not shrink. Welcome to the judgment-free zone! This is a place to lead with curiosity and build confidence, while courageously taking on new challenges. Here, students are invited to bring their whole selves. Tapping into one’s own unique strengths, inner resources, and personal agency is highly encouraged.
In her free time, Jen loves being outside in nature, hanging with loved ones, working on creative projects, and watching anime, Drag Race, and sci-fi. She is learning how to skateboard – any tips are welcome!
Rosalind Diaz | operations manager + Tutor supervisor
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Rosalind loves helping students build the skills and habits that support long-term academic success. Her tutoring style is infused with warmth, humor, and a lively spirit of curiosity. She works with each of her students to set reasonable goals and practice sticking to a plan over time. She especially loves to help young people feel more confident about their math skills and tap into the creative side of math.
Rosalind recently completed a Ph.D. in English at UC Berkeley, where she received two competitive awards for excellence and innovation in teaching. She holds a B.A. in English from Yale University. Both her parents are mathematicians, so she’s maintained her love of math through all those years studying English! In her free time, Rosalind can often be found crafting 3D geometric origami sculptures of various shapes and sizes.
Teresa Pham-Lac | Finance + Workshops Manager
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Joining Classroom Matters in 2016 after moving to the Bay area from Los Angeles, Teresa is the only staff member that does not tutor any students. She’s an integral part of CM’s Admin Team, handling all aspects of billing and finance, and everything related to workshops.
Born in Minnesota, Teresa has spent most of her life in various California cities: Riverside - where her parents still reside, Los Angeles - where she went to college, El Sobrante - her Bay Area home where she lived with her fiancé-turned-husband, and now currently Elk Grove - where she’s enjoying life with her newborn daughter as a family of three.
She has worked at various places including a non-profit organization that supported women entrepreneurs, a luxury private aviation company, and two telecom companies. Outside of work, she is an epicure and likes to explore local restaurants, Michelin Star eateries, and recreating dishes from favorite meals. She also travels as much as she can and enjoys planning her next vacation. Beyond that, Teresa likes playing mah jong, gardening, watching sports, playing board/card games, stream movies and shows, go hiking, and catching up with friends and love ones over good coffee, fun cocktails or yummy eats.