Scottsdale North
Our Teachers

Emily Olsen
Hi! My name is Emily Olson. I was born in Michigan and grew up in Pennsylvania. I received my Early Childhood Education degree at Lancaster Bible College in 2017. I subbed in a variety of grade levels in Pennsylvania until I moved to Phoenix, Arizona. I moved here in 2020 and began teaching Kindergarten at Valley Academy Reid Traditional School. I am now in my 5th year of teaching Kindergarten!
I am the ninth of ten children in my family. I grew up being an aunty and loved interacting with my nieces and nephews. I knew I wanted to be a teacher from a young age! The love, joy, and enthusiasm that children have for learning is what inspires me to be the teacher who provides that for them every day.
In my free time, I enjoy reading, working out, playing volleyball, playing board games, and enjoying a nice cup of coffee!

Ethan Clement
Hello, My name is Ethan Clement. I was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, and I’m currently in my junior year of college, pursuing a degree in Aerospace Engineering. Throughout high school, I enjoyed tutoring my peers and middle school students, which helped me develop a passion for teaching and supporting others in their learning journey. I have a strong passion for coding and tackling complex problems using tools like Abacus. I enjoyed my college-level calculus journey, finding excitement in its intricate concepts and real-world applications.
I also have six seasons of experience coaching youth football, where I loved working with kids to help them grow their skills, confidence, and teamwork. Coaching has given me valuable experience in communicating with young people, understanding their needs, and creating a fun, engaging learning environment.
I’m excited to bring that same energy and enthusiasm to tutoring. I look forward to working with your kids and helping them reach their full potential.
In my free time, I enjoy lifting weights, playing video games, mountain biking, and spending time with friends.
Ben Kussmann
Good to meet you - I’m Ben! I’m a native to the sunny state of Arizona. I started college at Mesa Community College when I was 15, finished a BS in Psychology from ASU, and will be pursuing a PhD in educational tech. I love teaching, and I hope I can make big changes to how we teach in the US.
Before teaching, I was a freelance web developer and data analyst for over 6 years. I developed animation tools for the planetarium at MCC, helped start their Computer Science club, and worked as a tutor teaching college students math and programming languages. I’ve always enjoyed helping friends and students learn, and am thrilled to be teaching here at Best Brains!
I can’t wait to make a difference for you and your child - come say hi!

Candace Amdahl
Hi, my name is Candace Amdahl. I grew up in South Dakota and attended Black Hills State University, where I earned my bachelor’s degrees in Elementary Education and Special Education. After graduating in 2020, I moved to Arizona to begin my teaching career in K–6 Special Education Resource. I’ve been teaching in the Phoenix area for the past five years and am passionate about supporting diverse learners in reaching their full potential.
I’ve been working with children since the age of 13, starting in a daycare and continuing through my career in education. Each experience has deepened my passion for helping kids learn, grow, and feel supported. I’m excited to continue making a positive impact by creating a safe, encouraging environment where children can thrive.
In my free time, I enjoy reading, playing volleyball, hiking, and snacking on a piece of candy.