Meet the Owners

At Academic Confidence Club, our owners bring exceptional qualifications and a passion for education that sets our program apart. Their combined expertise in academics, competitive training, and developmental psychology creates a uniquely effective approach to after-school education.

Joseph Lee

Educational Background

  • Babson College undergraduate concentration in Economics and Statistics

Professional Experience

  • Currently the US Managing Director of IvyZen, a South Korea-based college consulting firm focused exclusively on helping students gain admission to Ivy League universities, Stanford, and MIT

  • Owner and Head Instructor of Cosmic Training Center, the highest Yelp-rated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Los Angeles

Educational Philosophy

  • Emphasizes the development of discipline that translates across all areas of a child's life

  • Directly manages and COACHES academic competitions as performance events rather than study sessions

  • Approaches academic challenges with the mindset of an athletic coach, teaching students to train their minds with the same intensity and purpose as athletes train their bodies

  • Believes in building mental endurance, strategic thinking, and performance psychology to help students excel under pressure

  • Transforms traditional academic competitions into dynamic, goal-oriented training that builds both knowledge and competitive confidence

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Yura Kim

Educational Background

  • Graduate of University of Virginia with a double major in English and Studio Art

  • Currently a PhD candidate at Claremont Graduate University studying Developmental Psychology

Professional Experience

  • Former high school teacher’s aide specializing in helping students who are falling behind

  • Expert in identifying and addressing individual learning challenges

  • Specialized training in creating supportive educational environments for diverse learning styles

  • Experienced coach spearheading San Gabriel High School’s first ever Girls Wrestling Team

Educational Philosophy

  • Believes every child has untapped potential that can be discovered through the right educational approach

  • Combines artistic creativity with rigorous academic standards

  • Applies cutting-edge developmental psychology research to practical teaching methods

  • Focuses on building strong foundational skills while nurturing each student's unique strengths

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Academic Confidence Club tutoring daycare Koreatown Los Angeles

Together, Joseph and Yura have created Academic Confidence Club as a place where academic excellence meets personal development, where students don't just learn—they thrive. Their complementary expertise ensures that every child receives both the challenge and support they need to build genuine academic confidence.