Meet the Team at Mathnasium of O'Fallon

Christian Burton

Christian is a student at Truman State University majoring in Mathematics with a goal of becoming a high school Math teacher. He loves helping others and has taught Math, Chess, and Karate! In his free time he enjoys traveling, trying new food, and cooking new recipes. Both of his parents are artists so he loves visiting art museums!

Favorite Number: 6.28, its two pi!

Favorite Math Joke: It's 20 degrees out, let's go make snow angles!

Fun Fact: I have two cats that I love dearly even though they make me sneeze!

Jack Hook

Jack is a retired computer programmer with Ralston Purina, AT&T and IBM. He received a B.S. in Computer Science from SIU Carbondale and has recently taken refresher Algebra and Geometry courses at SWIC. Jack enjoys bicycling, playing pool, writing poetry and watching the The Universe episodes on cosmology.

Favorite Number: 7, because it's said to be the number of completeness.

Favorite Math Joke: Did you hear about the probability problem at Mathnasium? It didn't stand a chance.

Fun Fact: My great-great grandfather was a real Captain Hook, a riverboat captain on the Ohio river in the 1800s.

Lisa Camp

Lisa is retired from the U.S. Air Force where she was an aircraft maintenance officer working on B-1’s and KC-B5’s. She has a B.S. in Computer Systems Engineering and a Masters in Applied Management. Lisa likes to play just about any sport, loves wood working, and has two crazy dogs.

Favorite Number: They are all fabulous!

Favorite Math Joke: I'll do A^2+B^2=C^2. I'll even do A=πr^2, but y=mx+b is where I draw the line.

Fun Fact: I really like roller coasters!

Tristin Brown

Tristin is a student at SIUE studying Mathematics and working on becoming a high school Math teacher. He has always had a passion for math ever since his parents taught him how to add, and he loves helping his friends whenever they need it! He enjoys playing Ultimate Frisbee and video games, as well as spending time with his friends.

Favorite Number: 15,559

Favorite Math Joke: There's a fine line between a numerator and a denominator.

Fun Fact: I can play the Tuba, Trombone, and Trumpet.

Isabella Hoolihan

Isabella is a student at SWIC working towards an Associate's degree and planning to major in art in the future. She loves math and enjoys helping others to understand math and maybe even love it as well.

Favorite Number: 11; it always has been plus the multiples of it are fun!

Favorite Math Joke: There's a fine line between a numerator and a denominator.

Fun Fact: I own two cats and is always covered in cat hair (despite being allergic)!

Abram George

Abram is a student at OTHS where he participates in Robotics, Math Team, and Ultimate Frisbee. Outside of school, he likes to play the guitar, exercise, and experiment with electronics/programming.

Favorite Number: 12, because it has a lot of factors even though it isn't very big.

Favorite Math Joke: Why should you not call people average? Because that's just mean.

Fun Fact: I once broke my arm on Friday the 13th.

Maya VanDorn

Maya is a current student at Kaskaskia College studying engineering in hopes of becoming a biomedical engineer. She loves math because the feeling of solving complex problems is like no other. In her free time, she likes to run, travel, read, and spend time with family and friends.

Favorite Number: 11, because it was always her number when she played sports growing up.

Favorite Math Joke: Do you know what's odd? Every other number!

Fun Fact: I recently ran a half marathon near Mount Rushmore!

Rakeem Shelby

Rakeem has earned a degree in Math with a minor in computer science from SEMO for his bachelor's degree. He has also earned his Master's of Science in Computer Science at SIUE. He currently works as a software engineer. Outside of his education, he is an alumni member of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Inc. He enjoys jogging during the warm months of the year.

Favorite Number: 4, because that's how many people are in his immediate family.

Favorite Math Joke: Did you hear about the mathematician who’s afraid of negative numbers? He'll stop at nothing to avoid them.

Fun Fact: He moved to O'Fallon when he was in 4th grade and has stayed here ever since!

Ian Murphy

Ian is attending Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville for elementary education and seeking an endorsement in Math. He plays Dungeons and Dragons on the weekend and volunteers at his church. He has one cat named Barkley.

Favorite number: 5, because it’s easy to tell time with 5s.

Favorite Math Joke: What do you call a snake that is 3.14 feet long? A pi-thon.

Fun fact: I have 4 brothers, 2 of which are a part of triplets with me.

Paige Magnuson

Paige is a student at Mater Dei High School. She recently moved to the area from Florida. She wants to study Civil Law. She loves math because she enjoys problem solving and finding solutions. In her free time, she likes to read, hangout with her friends, and travel.

Favorite Number: 17, it's the day of my birthday.

Favorite Math Joke: What did the triangle say to the circle? You're pointless!

Fun Fact: My birthday is on St. Patrick's Day!

Joselyn Smith

Joselyn is a current student at OTHS and plays for the school soccer team. Outside of school, Joselyn likes to play soccer, longboard, and spend time with her family.

Favorite Number: 13, I've always had good luck with that number.

Favorite Math Joke: Why did the obtuse angle go to the beach? Because it was over 90 degrees!

Fun Fact: I have lived in Delaware and Turkey.

Tom Partelow

Tom is a Air Force civilian retired from Scott AFB, who served in network, computer, and data engineering roles in his 39-year career. He holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and loves math and science and all kinds of techie nerdy jokes. He enjoys biking, running and swimming; as well as bags, washers, horseshoes, and golf.

Favorite number: 13 ... I’m not superstitious.

Favorite math joke: What did the 0 say to the 8 ... Nice belt!

Fun Fact: While trying to protect my grandkids from a foul ball at a Grizzlies baseball game, the ball skipped off the top of my head. The Grizzlies’ mascot then proceeded to make a show of it while giving me an ice pack.

Jack M.

Jack is a student at Mascoutah HS where he participates in Computer Science Essentials. He wants to get a degree in Aerospace Engineering and work with NASA. Outside of school, he likes to play bass, guitar, hang out with friends and is a Boy Scout leader.

Favorite Number: 64, because it can be made with 1 multiplied by two, six times.

Favorite Math Joke: Why was the equal sign so humble? He knew he wasn’t greater than or less than anyone else.

Fun Fact: My birthday is in numerical order, 05/06/07.

Kirstin Zimmermann

Kirstin is a student at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa working towards a Bachelor’s degree in psychology and Master’s degree in communication studies. She is currently home on a gap year and loves math and wanted to utilize her skills to help others learn more about the subject. She is also a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority and Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity. Favorite number: 19, because it’s her golden birthday. Favorite math joke: What is the butterflies favorite subject in school? Mothmathtics Fun fact: I did gymnastics for ten years.

Kaitlyn Braun

Kaitlyn is a passionate math instructor who finds joy through teaching kids how to excel with their math skills. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Nutrition with goals of earning a Master’s degree in School Psychology. Familiar with the statistical aspects of psychology, Kaitlyn is well-rounded in her math education and enjoys analyzing data. Kaitlyn understands how growing minds learn best and uses her empathy to effectively perform as a math instructor. When she’s not studying academics, you’ll find Kaitlyn spending time in nature, enjoying quality moments with friends and family, or experimenting in the kitchen with a new recipe. Kaitlyn lives by the philosophy that any progress, no matter how small, is a great start. Through being a Mathnasium instructor, Kaitlyn will ensure your child starts and continues makes progress in their growing Mathletic abilities.

Favorite Number: 2048, it has many interesting factors!

Favorite Math Joke: What is a bird’s favorite type of math? Owl-gebra

Fun Fact: I once memorized 125 digits of Pi in eighth grade and won a free Pi T-shirt