Academic Foundation & Professional Expertise
- Master of Education (M.Ed.): Graduated First Class with Distinction
- Bachelor of Science (University of Toronto): A rigorous foundation in logic and scientific analysis from Canada’s top-ranked university.
- BC Certified Educator: Extensive experience teaching the British Columbia secondary curriculum, helping high school students from Grades 8-12.
A Journey of Discipline: From the Mat to the Classroom
My approach to teaching mathematics is shaped by a unique blend of elite athletics, technical expertise, and academic resilience.
The Athlete’s Focus
In my youth, my primary focus was competitive sports. This dedication culminated in winning the National Taekwondo Championships in 2000. The thousands of hours of training required to reach that level taught me immense discipline and grit—traits I now pass on to my students to help them tackle difficult mathematical concepts.
The Technical Pivot
After graduating from the University of Toronto with a degree in Computer Science, I realized my true calling wasn’t sitting behind a code editor, but standing at the front of a classroom. I chose to pivot my technical background into education, bringing a “programmer’s logic” to the way I deconstruct complex problems into simple, repeatable steps.
From Struggling Student to Math Mastery
Like many students, I faced my own hurdles. My high school did not offer Calculus, and I initially struggled in my senior years and even failed Calculus in my first year at a rigorous university.
The Turning Point
When I decided to become a teacher, I applied my “National Champion” discipline to my own studies. I re-took Pre-Calculus 11 and 12 as an adult, completing both courses in just six weeks with a 99.5% average. This experience proved to me that math isn’t about innate “genius”—it’s about maturity, consistency, and having the right resources. Today, I regularly teach Calculus 12, helping students master the very subjects I once found challenging.
Why I Founded the BC Math Academy
I don’t just teach math; I coach students to overcome the “wall” of frustration. I’ve seen firsthand what is possible when an entire classroom has the right guidance. Back when British Columbia utilized standardized provincial exams, I helped three separate Grade 10 classes achieve a class average of 86%—a mark significantly higher than both the provincial and school averages.
Bridging the Consistency Gap
Over my 20 years in the classroom, including extensive experience as a summer school teacher, I’ve noticed a troubling trend: the standard of math learning is often inconsistent. The caliber of preparation varies significantly from teacher to teacher and school to school. While I believe educators should adapt to their students’ needs, I also believe students deserve a reliable, high-level benchmark to aim for.
Rising to the Standard
I find it incredibly rewarding to pull the best out of every student, which is why I built hunkim.com. It is more than just a study aid; it is a bridge between classroom confusion and academic mastery, ensuring that no matter which school a student attends, they have access to the focused, BC math curriculum-relevant practice they need to succeed.
Supporting the BC Teaching Community
Beyond helping students, I am committed to supporting my fellow educators. I know firsthand that developing high-quality, BC-aligned resources takes an immense amount of time and care. My goal is to save BC teachers hours of prep by sharing the rigorous, curriculum-mapped materials I’ve spent years refining—ensuring we all have the tools to help our students thrive.