Meet Our Teachers

The heart of ICMS is the people who teach. Get to know the teachers your child will learn with.

Experts in What They Teach

From Ph.D. scientists to veteran high school AP teachers, our educators share one goal: helping students understand the why, not just the how.

We recruit teachers from across the United States and Canada so we can hire only the best. Today they teach from California (Los Angeles and San Diego), Washington, Colorado, Florida, Massachusetts, and Canada. And because classes also run live on Zoom, students learn with them wherever they live.

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Director | AP Biology, AP Chemistry, SAT Math

Chi Young Ji

20+ years of teaching

  • Biola University
    M.A. in Education
  • University of California, Los Angeles
    B.S. in Biochemistry
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Director | All Math up to AP Calculus BC

Insung Whang

13+ years of teaching · Math instructor at California State University, Fullerton

  • California State University, Fullerton
    M.A. in Mathematics (Teaching Concentration)
  • California State University, Fullerton
    B.A. in Mathematics

AP Physics 1, 2 & C, All Math up to AP Calculus BC

Yuzo Ishikawa

5+ years of teaching · Astrophysicist

  • Johns Hopkins University
    Ph.D. in Astronomy & Astrophysics
  • University of California, Berkeley
    B.A. in Astrophysics & Physics
Patrick Rhee, IC Math & Science teacher

AP Chemistry, AP Physics 1, 2 & C, All Math up to AP Calculus BC

Patrick Rhee

17+ years of teaching · AMC & AIME competition prep

  • University of Michigan
    Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering
  • Stanford University
    M.S. in Chemical Engineering
  • Seoul National University (Top of Class)
    B.S. in Chemical Engineering
Kacey Jeffcoat

AP Biology, AP Environmental Science, AP Research

Kacey Jeffcoat

14+ years of teaching · Current high school AP teacher · Official AP scorer · 2018 District Teacher of the Year

  • Texas A&M University–Commerce (4.0 GPA)
    M.S. in Biology
  • Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi
    B.S. in Biology

AP Physics 1, 2 & C, AP CS Principles, All Math up to AP Calculus BC

Leon Kim

14+ years of teaching

  • California State University, Long Beach (4.0 GPA)
    M.S. in Mathematics
  • California State University, Long Beach
    B.S. in Applied Mathematics & Physics
Jacob, IC Math & Science teacher

AP Chemistry, AP Physics 1, 2 & C, AP Statistics, Math up to AP Calculus AB

Jacob

17+ years of teaching · Former high school teacher (11 years)

  • University of Portland
    M.A. in Teaching
  • Oregon State University
    B.S. in Bioengineering

All Math up to AP Calculus BC

Matthew J. Lee

12+ years of teaching

  • Biola University (4.0 GPA)
    M.A. in Education (Mathematics)
  • University of California, Los Angeles (Cum Laude)
    B.S. in Financial Actuarial Mathematics

AP Physics 1, 2 & C (Mechanics), AP Statistics, Math up to Precalculus

Narciso Emanuel Sandico

7+ years of teaching

  • California State University, Fullerton
    M.S. in Statistics
  • California State University, Fullerton
    B.A. in Mathematics

AP Chemistry

Oluwapelumi Kolawole

10+ years of teaching · Writes AP Chemistry practice questions

  • University of Lagos
    Bachelor of Pharmacy

AP Statistics, Math up to AP Calculus AB

Young In Kim

4+ years of teaching

  • California State University, Fullerton
    M.S. in Statistics (expected 2027)
  • University of California, Santa Barbara
    B.S. in Statistics & Data Science
Grace Branchach, IC Math & Science teacher

AP Biology, AP Chemistry, IB Biology, Anatomy & Physiology

Gizela Grace Branchach

4+ years of teaching

  • Biola University (Magna Cum Laude)
    B.S. in Biochemistry

AP Biology, AP Chemistry, Math up to AP Calculus BC

Alvin Chang

3+ years of teaching

  • University of Southern California
    M.S. in Biomedical Engineering (expected 2026)
  • University of California, San Diego
    B.S. in Biochemistry

Beyond Memorization

Memorization Alone Is Not Enough for Lasting Academic Success

Students can often get through quizzes and tests by memorizing formulas and procedures. While this may seem effective in the short term, it limits true understanding and creates challenges as material becomes more advanced.

At ICMS, we focus on building deep conceptual understanding so students can connect ideas, apply knowledge with confidence, and solve new problems independently.

Ready to Get Started?

Give Your Child More Than Answers

Book a free consultation. We’ll show you how we teach the why — and recommend the best path forward for your child.

In-Person Instruction

1:1 and small group tutoring at our center

Live Online Tutoring

Real-time virtual sessions with expert instructors

Personalized Learning

Customized instruction based on each student’s level and goals

Learn the Why • Not Just the How • Expert-Led AP & Honors Math and Science •Learn the Why • Not Just the How • Expert-Led AP & Honors Math and Science •