Meet the Team at Mathnasium of Fulshear

Ethan Nguyen

Ethan graduated from the California State University at Long Beach with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering. He is a creative, adaptable and positive learner who always strives for the best in everything he does. Having taken numerous mathematics courses during college, he understands the importance of possessing the fundamental math skills and concepts. He has tutored his peers for math and computer science assignments throughout college and he is excited to share his knowledge and mathematics skills to Mathnasium students and help them strengthen their foundation in math. When he is not teaching, Ethan enjoys studying computer science, working out an playing sports.

Andy Gdala

Andy attended Texas A&M University with a major in Veterinary Sciences and Economics. Andy tutored younger students as well as his peers in science, math, and history and one of the few "PALS" members at Cinco Ranch HS distinguished by academics and disciplinary conduct who introduced incoming freshmen to the school. Andy believes that math is used in every day life, and mastery in math is very important in everyone's future careers. Andy is very passionate about children's education and he thouroughly enjoys teaching at Mathnasium because it helps him share his knowledge with students and hlep them improve their own skills and confidence in math. Andy thinks Mathnasium provides an alternate environment from school where students are more inspired and encouraged to ask question one-on-one that they might not otherwise ask when in a full classroom. In his free time, he likes to spend time with friends, watch documentaries, study history, and keep up with current events.

Rafael Lopez

Rafael, who is bilingual, fluent in both English and Spanish, has a bachelor's degree in Software Engineering from the Rochester Institute of Technology. After working some time for software consulting corporations, he now turns his problem solving skills to a new challenge: teaching others how to develop and use critical thinking skills of their own. Although he started by just teaching Algebra to high school students, now Rafael works at Mathnasium of Fulshear to reach students of all ages at all math levels to achieve his goals of making math accessible to everyone. In his free time, Rafael likes to draw, watch cartoons, and study both STEM and linguistics.

Marie Machos

Marie is a certified Texas educator with over 25 years of experience in teaching elementary children. She first received her Bachelor of Science degree in Horticulture from Texas A&M University. Later, she attended Sam Houston State University to earn her Teaching Certification for grades K-8. She loves helping children to understand that math makes sense and is needed in everyday life. she knows that our children are our future and she's excited to be at Mathnasium to help them along their journey. In her free time, Marie loves to travel, read, garden, and spend time with her children & grandchildren.

Darcie Keller

Darcie has been working in the field of education for over 25 years after graduating from Vanderbilt University. She has worked with all ages from the very young to high school students looking to head off college. While Darcie has and does teach all subjects, she has spent the majority of her career supporting students in math. She has a strong back ground working with students with learning differences and special needs and loves to see students make a connection and understand a new skills! She looks forward to making math comes alive for all her new students!

Tapiwa Mlambo

Tapiwa Mlambo is a senior Mechanical Engineering student at the University of Texas at Tyler. He has prior experience teaching music at The Heritage School in Zimbabwe and has been tutoring at Mathnasium since January 2020. Tapiwa works at Mathnasium because he believes a more complete understanding of math can help students unlock a greater understanding of a wide variety of subjects, including but not limited to music, sciences, and engineering. He believes that with the right instruction, anybody can understand even the most abstract math concepts. When Tapiwa isn't at Mathnasium, he is watching soccer, playing soccer, or studying for his next exam.

Josh Blake Flynn

Blake recently graduated from the honors college at the University of Houston with a dual Bachelor's degree in Accounting and Mathematics. Having tutored fellow students throughout high school and college, Blake is excited to begin a career that feels natural. He believes the best way to learn is developing mental algorithms to determine things mathematically. Once a student discovers a pattern, they hardly forget it. Interests outside the realm of maths include: Rubik's cubes, Pokémon TCG, MMA, and programming.

Xi Wang

Xi is an Associate Professor with over 10 years of experience in teaching college students in China. He first received his Bachelor of Environmental Science degree from Northwestern Polytechnical University. Later, he earned his Master's Degree and Ph.D. in Material Science and Engineering at the same place. From 2010 to 2011, he worked as an international student intern, conducting research at Texas A&M University. He is deeply passionate about teaching and is committed to continuous learning and professional growth. He thrives in dynamic and challenging environments. In his free time, Xi loves to play soccer, travel, and spend time with his children.

Isabella Decan

Isabella studied Aeronautical Engineering at the Technological University of Panama before moving to Texas. During her studies, she participated in multiple engineering projects that focused on mathematical applications in Aerodynamics and Engineering Design. She is a member of the Women in Engineering section of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, a global network dedicated to promoting women engineers and scientists, and inspiring girls around the world to follow their academic interests in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. She understands math can be intimidating to young people, but she is committed to making mathematical thinking something her students can see as approachable, useful, and accessible. Isabella has experience teaching as she tutored fellow students throughout high school and college in subjects like Trigonometry, Calculus, and Differential Equations. She is fluent in both English and Spanish. Outside of math, her interests include coding, the Marvel Cinematic Universe and discovering new music.

Mabel Chew

Mabel graduated from the National University of Singapore with a bachelor of Science degree majoring in Mathematics. She went on to do a post graduate studies and got a diploma from the National Institute of Education in Singapore. She has ten years of experience teaching math in a public school in Singapore. She came to Texas in 2008 with her family when her husband was relocated to Houston for work. She is very delighted to teach math again at Mathnasium. This is her passion, her ikigai.

David Lee

David recently graduated from Texas A&M with a bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Sciences. David believes that with the right support and instruction, anyone can excel in math with confidence. He believes that confidence is an important factor in students excelling math and that confidence can lead them to success. In his free time, David enjoys basketball, football, and baseball.

Jenifer Suarez

Jenifer is a junior majoring Computer Science at the University of Houston. Throughout her university career, she tutored students at the CASA tutoring center at University of Houston in subjects such as Algebra. She believes patience is key for helping any student understand mathematics. Her goal is to inspire her students to thrive and enjoy even the most complicated types of math. When Jenifer is not happily teaching at Mathnasium, she is hanging out with her dog and spending time with family.

Hassan Shaikh

After graduating from SLHS, Hassan is studying a BS in Nursing at University of Texas at Arlington. His personal teaching experience consisted of helping teach his sibling for middleschool/highschool subjects. Since starting at Mathnasium, Hassan has found teaching to be extremely fulfilling because by passing on information and knowledge to students, instructors are making an impact, however small, on someone's understanding of and comfort with math, which might have a lasting positive effect on their education and career. After working at Mathnasium Hassan is now considering what he could do in nursing/healthcare that would also involve teaching in some way. Outside of work and school, his interests involve reading/writing, spending time outdoors, and prayer.