Meet the Team at Mathnasium of Maple Grove

Ron Bennett

Ron graduated from St. Olaf College with a degree in Math and Chemistry and later completed his MBA from the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management. He has worked as a chemist, a programmer and a quality engineer for companies including Cardiac Pacemakers, Boston Scientific, Schneider and Medtronic. All of this background required extensive use of math and physical chemistry relies heavily on math skills. Besides loving math, Ron has a passion for photography and several years ago started his own photography business. He does photography for local high schools, as well as nature photography and portraits. This past year he took children and family photos at the Mall of America for the Santa Claus and Easter Bunny displays. Ron enjoys seeing students “light up” when they discover for themselves that math can be exciting and “makes sense.”

Bobby Tarnowski

It thrills me to see a young person's face light up when it finally hits them how math works and is useful in the things they're passionate about. I believe that a solid understanding of mathematics is foundational in our ability to make good life choices, equipping us to live lives with greater independence and accomplishment of our goals. I graduated from St. John's University with a B.A. in Mathematics and continued with a Masters Program in Manufacturing Systems Engineering at the University of St. Thomas. Math has been indispensible throughout my career in engineering and management, and is also quite useful in my business and family life.

Beverly Erbert

Beverly grew up in Mankato, MN, and earned her B.S. in Elementary Education from Minnesota State University - Mankato. Hiking, puzzles, brain teasers, exercise, cooking, reading, movies and travel are all included among her favorite hobbies and interests. She pursued a career as an educator because she always wanted to help kids develop a love of learning and a curiosity about the world around them. Math has always been a favorite subject because it helps with problem solving skills in all areas of life. After having been a Center Director for many years with Sylvan Learning Centers in Texas, Colorado and Minnetonka, MN., Beverly is now happily working as a Mathnasium Center Director because she really enjoys helping kids to discover that math is fun and fascinating.

Alison Mickelson

Alison says "Math is everywhere!" and loves math because it is fun, useful, and if you understand math, you can figure anything out! She loves teaching kids how to be successful at learning a skill they will use for the rest of their lives. Alison is a Minnesota native and lives in Maple Grove with her husband and 4 children ranging from college to middle school ages. She achieved a B.A. degree in Biology from the U of MN and a B.S. degree in Nursing from the University of St. Thomas. She enjoys reading, backpacking, learning, teaching and loves to work calculus problems in her spare time! Alison brings enthusiasm to everything she does and believes that good math education creates confidence in kids and allows them to pursue anything they can dream for themselves.