Our staff is built to teach each student individually, to develop the skills they need to thrive in mathematics, and to foster a love of learning.

Melanie Grandelli

Instructor
Melanie graduated from college with a Bachelor's of Science degree in math education. Since then she has taught not only math, but most other subjects as well, in private school, boarding school, public school, and her family's homeschool. She enjoys finding different ways to explain math concepts to people, whether they be kids encountering the problems for the first time or adults who never really understood the ideas when they were in school. Outside of teaching, Melanie likes to read, garden, bird watch, ski, shoot squirrels, dirt bike, and listen to classical music.

Kanoa Ratliff

Instructor
Kanoa has a B.S. in architecture with a minor in Spanish from the University of Virginia. After graduating from college, she worked as a substitute teacher where she frequently taught math and Spanish classes. She also honed her practical math skills while working in a picture framing store and in the construction and drafting department of a national deck builder. Additionally, Kanoa has spent 17 years homeschooling her two sons from Kindergarten through high school. One son is currently finishing a degree in mechanical engineering at VCU and the other is nearly finished with high school. For the past three years she has tutored homeschool students in math at a small co-op, where she has enjoyed helping students discover the ways that they best learn math. Kanoa also volunteers with many local community organizations. She lives with her husband and sons on 11 acres in southern Fauquier in a home that she and her husband designed and built. She loves to travel with her family and visit amazing feats of architecture such as the Sears Tower in Chicago, the Space Needle in Seattle, the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, the CN Tower in Toronto, the Confederation Bridge on Prince Edward Island, the Alhambra in Spain, and many others too numerous to mention. Other hobbies include reading, photography, weightlifting; and hiking, kayaking, and biking with her family.

Alex Lichty

Assistant Center Director
Alex is a graduate of both Liberty High School and Mountain Vista Governor’s school. Math has always been a constant in Alex’s school career, with her favorite class being Trigonometry. One of Alex’s favorite things about Mathnasium is learning all the different strategies to solve problems! When Alex isn’t doing math, you can find her on the field hockey field, reading a good book, or volunteering.

Anthony Ainsworth

Instructor
Anthony is a graduate of Fauquier High School and enjoys the challenge that math offers. His favorite classes included Physics, Calculus BC, and AP Computer science. After college, Anthony would like to specialize in Cybersecurity. He spends a lot of free time doing theater with the local Torch Drama Club. When he is not busy with Mathnasium or Torch, Anthony enjoys playing video games, playing Dungeons and Dragons, and reading.

Jacob Anderson

Instructor
Jacon is a junior at Virginia Tech studying Computer Engineering. He has always loved the challenge of math, and how it feels like a puzzle that needs to be solved. He also loves music (he can play guitar, bass, and piano) - math is a big part of music, too! He loves art, and finds that drawing and painting really helps him unwind. His favorite subject is physics, since he can use math to predict and understand how the universe behaves.

Gabby Downey

Administrator
Gabby is a recent 2023 graduate from Liberty High School. She is currently enrolled at Laurel Ridge to pursue her bachelor's degree. She has a hound dog at home named Roscoe who loves food, and her favorite thing to do is read books and go shopping!

Rebecca Nuar

Instructor
Rebecca is a high school senior whose favorite classes this year are Calculus, Government & Politics, and Physics. In addition to math, she also loves working with kids. Outside of school, you might find her playing soccer, singing, dancing, or practicing the piano. She hopes that she will be able to make math fun for the students at Mathnasium.

Mitchell Gallehr

Instructor
Mitchell is a junior at Virginia Tech, studying mathematics with a minor in computer science. Math has always been his favorite subject in school, especially finding new ways it can be applied. The problem solving aspect of computer science and math is what drives him to work hard and keep learning! He previously worked as the sound technician at The Torch Drama Club for many years with his love of music and theater. When he is not working on math, you can find him enjoying music or cheering on the Capitals!

Edward Fleming

Instructor
Edward is in his third year of college, studying electrical engineering at George Mason University. Math has always been a focus for him, especially while pursuing his degree. Edward’s favorite part about Mathnasium is seeing students’ excitement when they accomplish their goals. Outside of Mathnasium, Edward has a passion for hiking and being outdoors that he discovered in his journey becoming an Eagle Scout.

Our Mathnasium Mission

Teach children math so they understand it, master it, and love it. Math can change their lives, and they can change the world.

What I love about Mathnasium is the ability to teach problem-solving skills and make math make sense, while also making a student smile.
Amber W., Mathnasium Instructor

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