Meet the Team

Josh Barry

After working for six years as a teacher at one of Calgary's foremost schools for children with learning disabilities, Josh Barry has a unique knowledge of individualized education and accommodating to every learning style. He also has the ability to intuitively peel back the barriers that most children build in front of themselves and get to the heart of the problem. He acquired a unique knowledge of math/science curriculums, teaching/tutoring every course from grades 5-12, and designed innovative methods to connect with each of his students, allowing them to achieve an extremely high level of success and the confidence that follows it. With a passion for athletics, he also coached young athletes to multiple City Championships and Provincial Championships in the sports of football and wrestling.

As the Founder and CEO of Elements Education, Josh has taken the academic coaching world further for over 700 one-on-one clients in the last 5+ years as an academic coach. He has a passion for brain research, and has dedicated many years to learning about the neuroplasticity and chemistry of the brain, attending research seminars and sharing those finding with colleagues through workshops of his own. More than anything else, Josh prides himself on being a “relationship guy” and understands the importance of a safe and caring bond, which leads to day-by-day improvement and progress of growing minds.

Stephanie Berry

Stephanie is the Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Senior Academic Coach at Elements Education, where she plays a pivotal role in executive functioning development, student mentorship, and program operations. With a background in content writing, team leadership, and educational coaching, she has cultivated a highly effective, student-centered approach to learning that fosters both academic growth and personal development.

Her passion for reading, writing, and teaching is evident in her ability to support students across diverse subjects, including English Language Arts, Social Studies, French, Spanish, and academic citation guidance. Known for her innovative and engaging teaching methods, Stephanie ensures that students not only grasp complex concepts but also find joy in the learning process.

Beyond her work at Elements Education, Stephanie has built a dynamic career spanning the technology, marketing, and education sectors, working with some of Calgary’s most recognizable companies. She is currently a Senior Client Manager at a leading learning and development software company, specializing in strategic account management, customer success, and business development. Her expertise in communication, leadership, and problem-solving has been instrumental in driving client satisfaction and business growth.

A dedicated mentor and advocate for student success, Stephanie continues to inspire, motivate, and empower learners through executive functioning coaching, personalized learning strategies, and academic mentorship.

Tricha Hamstra

Tricha brings a wealth of knowledge to the Elements Education team when it comes to developing relationships with people. With many years experience as a Team Lead in the home building industry, Tricha has gained a deep understanding of how to work with clients who may be under high emotional stress. She also has a keen analytical eye for identifying problems and coming up with creative solutions. As a leader, Tricha has excelled in coaching others to reach their career goals and finds the success of others genuinely rewarding.

For Tricha, reading and writing are a vital part of her everyday life, and she is excited to be able to share this passion with students as an Academic Coach. While Tricha’s main coursework focus is in humanities, she also strives to develop skills that students can utilize across all aspects of their studies and in their personal lives. Ultimately, Tricha seeks to develop meaningful connections, become a positive mentor, and help her students reach their full learning potential.

Ailish Olien

As a former student of Elements, Ailish brings a personal understanding of the impact academic coaching can have. Having once experienced the challenges of managing academics and executive functioning skills herself, she now channels that experience into supporting students in building both confidence and capability. Today, she is pursuing a degree in Biomedical Engineering, where she applies the very strategies that helped transform her own academic journey.

Ailish specializes in math and the sciences, but her coaching goes beyond subject matter. She is passionate about mentoring students through the ups and downs of learning, with a particular focus on supporting neurodivergent experiences in school. Her approach ensures that students never feel alone in their challenges, and that they gain not only knowledge but also confidence and independence. By combining her STEM background with her personal journey, Ailish helps students develop the skills and self-assurance they need to thrive with her student-focused approach.

Gillian Wong

Gillian is the office manager and account coordinator for Elements. She has years of extensive bookkeeping training and to say she is "detail oriented" would be the most massive understatement anyone has ever put into writing.