Our Party of 5

We have the privilege of being educators.
We bring diverse experiences in classrooms from 1st to 5th grade; both urban and rural settings.

We are on a mission to save your math class!

OLIVIA ALKEMA

5th Grade Teacher
olivia@ZONESmath.com
@oalkema

Olivia has taught 5th grade for 14 years.  She received her undergraduate degree in teaching from Michigan State University with endorsements in Earth Science and Mathematics.  She received her Masters Degree in Educational Leadership from Grand Valley State University.  Olivia lives in Marne, Michigan with her husband, 3 boys, a puppy, a multitude of chickens, and a small fleet of motorized vehicles.  She is a novice and inexperienced photographer and runner.  In her spare time, she loves to watch Netflix, create birthday cakes, and race dirtbikes in Enduros.

MEGHAN COLLINS

1st Grade Teacher
meghan@ZONESmath.com
@meghanfirst

Meghan has taught first grade for four years and worked as an ELL professional for three years.  She received her undergraduate degree in history from the University of Colorado at Boulder and is completing her Masters in Elementary Education from Grand Valley State University.  She lives with her husband and daughter in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  In her free time, she likes to put good food in her mouth, be a beer snob, and flip houses.

SARA DEWEY

3rd-5th Grade Interventionist
sara@ZONESmath.com
@sara_dewey50

Sara has taught for 13 years in grades 3-5.  She received her undergraduate degree in teaching from Grand Valley State University and her Masters degree in Reading also from Grand Valley State University.  Sara lives in Rockford, Michigan with her husband and son.  In her free time Sara enjoys hot yoga, traveling with her family and close friends, baking gourmet cupcakes, and using Excel.

CHRISTI GILBERT

3rd-5th Grade EL Teacher
christi@ZONESmath.com
@cgilbert24

Christi has taught English learners for over 10 years. Her experience includes teaching ESL in South Korea, teaching in a bilingual classroom, and supporting ELs in pull-out, push-in, and co-teaching settings.  She is National Board Certified in the area of English as a New Language. She lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan with her husband and three kids. In her free time, she likes to snowboard, play with play-doh, and supervise her husband’s safety.

KRISTIN ROOT

3rd Grade Teacher
kristin@ZONESmath.com
@kkrooter

Kristin received her undergraduate from Grand Valley State University and is currently working towards her Masters Degree in Elementary Education. For the past 10 years she has enjoyed hanging out with third graders and caring for pet hermit crabs.  She lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan with her husband and enjoys exploring Northern Michigan, photography, and eating barbecue chips.