Our Teachers

Management

Science & Math

Ben Chen

Director of Mathematics

Curriculum

SAT Mathematics Specialist. More than 50% of Ben's students have achieved perfect SAT II Math scores.
16+ years of SAT teaching experience

The Legendary Teacher in Irvine City! Mr.Chen is an expert in all levels of high school mathematics, including AP Calculus and AP Statistics. He is familiar with the textbooks and curriculum used in all of Irvine's high schools. Students have improved greatly in Math after taking Mr.Chen's class!

Francis Vu

Science & Math Teacher

B.S., Biology, UCLA
ACT, Math & Science, AP Chemistry and Biology

Francis is a professional tutor specializing in biology, chemistry, and physics, with extensive experience with different curricula used throughout Southern California. He is known for breaking down complex scientific concepts into clear, accessible explanations while maintaining an effective, results-driven approach to test preparation. His students consistently achieve top performance, frequently earning perfect scores or ranking highly in national-level competitions

Alan Su

Math Teacher

B.S. California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
J.D. Washington University, St. Louis, MO

Mr. Su is a highly respected and experienced math teacher at Pacific Academy. His students gain greater confidence in their math abilities through his classes, mastering key concepts and applying them effectively in exams.

Mandy Tsai

Math Teacher

Ph.D. study in Toxicology, UCLA (1994-1995)
M.S. Environmental Science, UCLA
B.S. Mathematics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
B.S. Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

As a passionate math enthusiast with more than 15 years of tutoring experience, Ms. Tsai is dedicated to helping students unlock their potential in mathematics. With a strong foundation in math concepts and a knack for making complex ideas accessible, Ms. Tsai provides clear explanations on how different concepts are integrated in solving problems. With patience, creativity, and tailored teaching methods, Ms. Tsai empowers students to overcome challenges, build confidence, and achieve their academic goals.

Yiching Lio

Math, Chem, Biochemistry

Ph.D. Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego
M.S. Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego
B.S. Chemistry, National Taiwan Normal University

Andy Luong

Physics & Biochemistry Teacher

B.S. in Biochemistry at UCLA
M.S. In Biomedical science at UCSD
Four years of research experience in the Cardio Surgery Lab at UCLA

Mr. Luong is a highly regarded Science instructorin Orange County, specializing math & sciencesubjects. With over ten years of teachingexperience, he is known for making complexconcepts easy to understand and for helpingstudents achieve top scores in AP classes andstandardized tests. His structured teaching style,strong academic background, and proven trackrecord have made him one of the most trustedand effective science teachers in the region.

English, Writing & ESL

Francesca Santoro

English & Writing Teacher

PhD History, University of Missouri - Columbia
M.A., Ancient History and Mediterranean Archaeology, University of California, Berkeley
B.A., Classics; B.A., History, University of California, Irvine

Austin Troutt

English Teacher

B. A. in Political Science, UCI
Master's in Teaching, UCI

Mr. Troutt has been an educator for 9 years. His work with students in AP classes has led to high quality support resulting in higher test scores. Mr. Troutt provides a foundational understanding of history along with a clear analysis of the test to provide students with the clearest path to high AP Exam scores. His support will help students develop a love and deeper appreciation for history and a stronger understanding of the world.

Charity Norton

English Teacher

B.A., English Cal State, Fullerton
M.A., Southern New Hamsphire University
AP Language Specialist, English and Test Prep Teacher/Tutor

Charity is a dedicated educator with over twenty years of teaching experience, specializing in AP Language as well as testing preparation for the SAT, TOEFL, and ISEE. With a proven record of helping students achieve high scores on the AP exam, Charity uses a student-centered approach that focuses on mastering rhetorical analysis, sophisticated argumentation, and engaging in close, analytical reading.

Kramer Sullivan

English / SAT&ACT Teacher

M.A., Learning and Teaching, University of Redlands
B.A., English, California State University of San Bernardino

Teaching since 2014, Mr. Sullivan brings a truly global perspective to the classroom, shaped by his childhood in Belgium, Italy, and Germany. His passion for history and social studies, combined with his real-world experiences as a journalist and army serviceman, makes his AP Human Geography lessons vivid, relevant, and engaging. He helps students see the connections between people, places, and cultures—preparing them not only for AP success but also for a deeper understanding of our interconnected world.

Jen Kim

English / AP Lang / AP Lit / SAT / ACT

B.A., Literature, Amherst College

Ms. Kim is an experienced educator with over ten year of experience teaching English, writing, and test prep. She is compassionate and patient working with students, especially English learners and is dedicated to helping each student build both confidence and mastery. Ms. Kim has a proven track record of success, consistently guiding students to score within the top 95th percentile on the SAT and ACT, as well as helping students achieve an average score of 4 on AP English Language and AP English Literature exams.

Kelly Chu

Director

Founder and CEO of PA College Prep and Pacific Academy
25+ years experience in education
Helped thousands of students get into their dream schools

Cindy Ma

Program Director

MBA, Johnson & Wales University
8+Years of College counseling experience

Iriss Jiang

Assisant Director

B.A., in Spanish Language and Literature, Nanjing University
University of Southern California, M.A.T - TESOL