Meet The Genius Managers: Leading the Way in Education

Our team of Education Managers are the magic elves who are responsible for ensuring the success of our premium private tuition programmes.

We admit it: we expect a lot from our EMs – we only hire champions who dominated academically in high school, and once they have proven themselves as a successful tutor, they undergo a full-time 3-month training course to give them a foundation in teaching, syllabi, national and international study, educational philosophy, psychology, proactivity, parenting, love, and leadership.

Zané Oosthuizen

Education Leader
This is Zané. She matriculated from Hatfield Christian School with 6 distinctions, where she achieved academic honours. She graduated from Tuks in an undergraduate degree of social sciences and a post graduate degree in history. Zané enjoys arts and crafts in her spare time and appreciates theatre.

Tedd Mphahlani

Education Leader
Tedd is an English tutor who graduated from King Edward VII School in 2017 with four distinctions, public speaking colours and national rowing colours. He has a degree in Bioethics and Health Law from Wits University where he was also awarded the postgraduate merit award. Tedd also has two years experience teaching English as a Foreign Language. He loves writing and literature, currently pursuing screenwriting. In his free time, he enjoys playing videogames and dissecting popular media.

Jessica McKernan

Education Leader
Jessica attended Roedean School before moving to Melbourne, Australia, where she completed the Victoria Certificate of Education at St Leonard’s College in 2019. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Social Science in Psychology and Gender Studies from the University of Cape Town in 2022 and a BA Honours in Psychology with Distinction from Varsity College in 2023. In her spare time, Jessica enjoys spending time with loved ones, walking, cooking, watching films, and delving into all things psychology.

Kyle Abernethy

Education Leader
Kyle matriculated with 2 distinctions from St David's Marist Brothers Inanda. He completed his BA in Psychology at UP (Cum Laude) and holds an Honours in Psychology from Varsity College.

Taryn Rutenbach

Education Leader
Taryn matriculated from Kingsmead College with 4 distinctions. She placed in the top 1% of IEB candidates for Geography. Taryn completed her Bachelor of Arts undergraduate degree at WITS. She is also a member of the Golden Key Honours Society. She plans on completing her Psychology honors through SACAP.

Tlou Phukubje

Education Leader
Tlou matriculated from St Mary's DSG, where she was Deputy Head Girl, with 3 distinctions. She played provincial netball throughout her high school career. She has 12 years of tutoring experience. She studied a BCOM Accounting (CA) at UCT.

Kay-lee Scholtz

Education Leader
Kay-lee matriculated from Hoërskool Garsfontein with 6 distinctions and was awarded Top Achiever for both Drama and Academics. She went on to complete a BSc in Genetics and Psychology at Stellenbosch University, where she also served as Primaria (student president) of her residence. She is the former Head Girl of DaVinci International Film Academy and is fluent in both English and Afrikaans. Passionate about education and the arts, Kay-lee tutors Biology, English, Afrikaans, Science, History and Drama. In her free time, she enjoys playing piano, tennis and golf.

Gaia Elkon

Education Leader
Gaia graduated from high school with five distinctions, holding positions as the student representative for the School Governing Board, as well as the chairperson and editor for the school newspaper. She completed her BSc at the University of Cape Town with a triple major in Human Anatomy & Physiology, Biology, and Psychology. Gaia enjoys podcasts, watching live jazz, and treasure hunting for vintage books and clothing.

Joshua Streak

Education Leader
Joshua is an English tutor, Academic Coach, and Educational Leader with Genius Premium Tuition. He achieved 3 distinctions in matric at King Edward VII School. While studying for his BA in Psychology at the University of the Witwatersrand, he continued to play first-team cricket and represented Gauteng at senior provincial level. In his free time, Josh enjoys running, going to the gym, playing guitar and reading fiction.

Ashleigh Brown

Education Leader
Ashleigh matriculated with 3 A's and 4 B's from Crawford College Sandton. She went on to complete a BA (with distinction) majoring in Psychology and Criminology and a BSocSci Honours in Psychology at the University of Pretoria. She then went on to study Psychometry at UJ and is currently registered under the HPCSA as a Psychometrist.

Bronwyn Britz

Chief Operating Officer
Bronwyn matriculated from St Andrew's School for Girls with 4 A's; she then completed a BA in Law, Psychology and English at the University of Pretoria, a BSocSci Honours in Psychology at SACAP, and finally a PGCE at Wits. Bronwyn has taught Technology, Math, and English at Edenvale High School and around 200 hours of English and Academic Coaching with Genius Premium Tuition.

Shannon Hassen

Education Leader
Shannon, began swimming competitively at age 9. Her swimming achievements earned her a scholarship that supported her high school education and allowed her to visit 16 countries. Shannon graduated from Southdowns College in 2018 with five distinctions. She then pursued a BA in Psychology at the University of Pretoria, graduating with distinction. Continuing her studies at the same institution, she earned a Bachelor of Social Science Honours in Psychology. In her spare time, Shannon enjoys watching crime documentaries and training her pet rabbit, Henry.

Daniela Pacheco

Education Leader
Daniela excelled in matric, earning 6 Distinctions. In addition to this, Daniela played provincial waterpolo and achieved full colours at school for Academics, Dramatic Arts and Sports. Daniela graduated from the University of Pretoria at first with a BA in Anthropology and Psychology, and then went on to complete her Honours degree in Psychology achieving this with Distinction. Daniela is also a member of the Golden Key Society.

Francesca Prioreschi

Education Leader
Francesca attended Roedean School (SA) where she matriculated with 5 distinctions. She was additionally the head of the Mental Health Committee and achieved academic half-colours. Francesca then went on to study a BA in Psychology and Philosophy at Wits University and completed her Honours in Psychology (with Distinction) at UNISA. In her spare time, Francesca enjoys being active outdoors, going to the gym and spending quality time with family and friends.

Lauryn Morris

Education Leader
Lauryn matriculated with four distinctions. She completed a Bachelor of Arts in English and Psychology with distinction as well as an honours degree in Psychology with distinction. She has also embodied many leadership roles including being a prefect, house representative, volleyball chairperson and subwarden. She has many tutoring hours under her belt as she tutored throughout high school and univertsity. She has also worked as an au pair and Monkeynastix instructor and is comfortable around kids of all ages. In her spare time Lauryn enjoys reading, writing, spending time with her friends and exploring new foods and cultures. She especially enjoys watching greys anatomy with her favourite animals as well as making colourful and scented candles with her friends.

Lisamaré Hellmuth

Education Leader
Lisamaré matriculated from Randburg High School with 4 distinctions. She completed her Bachelor of Arts in Behavioural Sciences (Cum Laude) at the North-West University and her Honours in Psychology (Cum Laude) at the South African College of Applied Psychology. She is also a member of the Golden Key International Honour Society. Lisamaré plans on completing her Masters in either Clinical or Educational Psychology.

Minette van den Heever

Education Leader
Minette is a maths and science tutor at Genius. She achieved 8 distinctions in matric at Helpmekaar Kollege and was the top achiever in Biology. She is currently in her 4th year of studying a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (WITS). In her free time she enjoys painting, gyming and watching anime. Minette has tutored over 300 hours at Genius.

James Ritchie

Education Leader
James matriculated from Rondebosch Boys' High School with 6 Distinctions. He achieved academic honours and sporting colours. He went onto study a BCOM in Finance and Accounting at Varsity College. In his spare time he loves playing club football, hiking, and spending time outdoors.

Angela Webb

Education Leader
Angela attended St Stithians Girls' College in Johannesburg and matriculated with 5 distinctions. She served as her grade's representative on the SRC as well as the alumni association. She played first team Netball and was elected as head of house in her Matric year. Angela studied a Bachelor of Social Science in Psychology and Organisational Psychology at the University of Cape Town where she was awarded Dean's List. She also qualified as a Foundation Phase teacher through UCT and went on to study her Honours in Psychology through the South African College of Applied Psychology (SACAP).

Therita Erasmus

Education Leader
Therita matriculated with 4 distinctions from Southcity School. She was also a prefect, deputy-house captain, and avid sportswoman. Therita completed her Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood Development and Foundation Phase Education, and then went on to teach at International Schools in Laos and Cambodia for 5 years. In her free time, she likes to read, spend time with friends and family, and volunteer at animal charities.