Our Team

Our specially trained math instructors will teach your child how to understand math in an individual setting; our unique approach enables us to explain concepts really well and lend a helping hand to every student. Our tutors foster a caring, encouraging environment that helps kids thrive and learn! Read below to learn more about our talented team:

Liz is from Utah County and is currently a Senior at the University of Utah. Her all-time favorite subject is Calculus. Some of her other favorite classes she has taken are Foundation of Analysis 1, Foundations of Algebra, and Intro to Number Theory. In high school, her favorite math class was AP Calculus BC. In high school, Liz was on the Girls Golf Team. She has spent the last 8+ years working with kids, teaching them math, golf, tennis, basketball, and swim. Liz loves to ski, snowboard, and golf. She loves to watch football and basketball - she is a big fan of the Utah Utes and Utah Jazz. 

Fun Fact: Liz loves Star Wars. She can watch all the movies over and over again, and will never get sick of them. 

Favorite Number: 7 because it has the highest probability of being rolled with two six-sided dice. 

Education: Senior at the University of Utah studying Mathematics

Why I love Mathnasium: "I am excited about Mathnasium! Two of my favorite things are math, and teaching kids new things. At Mathnasium, I'll get to do both of those things! I love when you are teaching a student math and you can see in their eyes when something has just clicked and they start to understand it. Math can be hard, and it is very rewarding when you figure certain problems out. I love helping students feel that accomplishment." 

Kassidy Shumway, COO - Chief Operating Officer

Kassidy Shumway grew up in Bountiful, Utah, and graduated from Brigham Young University in 2011. While at BYU, Kassidy earned a Bachelor's of Science degree in Civil Engineering, was a TA in the math department, and also found time to be an All-American and a team captain and member of the BYU Women's Soccer Team. Kassidy has many years of experience coaching children of all ages in soccer.  She has been helping students at Mathnasium since January 2013.   Kassidy and her husband have two kids and two active dogs.

Fun Fact: Kassidy was in a video on YouTube with over 6 million views.

Education: Bachelor of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering from BYU

Why I love Mathnasium: "I love helping kids realize that math can be fun. The favorite part of my job is going into elementary schools and putting on Math Nights. Laughing and having fun with kids while we do math is so rewarding!"

Reed Brown, Owner

Reed has always loved math and enjoys helping kids learn to love math and how to use math in their daily lives. Reed earned a BS of Electrical Engineering degree from Brigham Young University and a Masters of Business Administration degree at Boise State University. Reed has spent over 25 years as a successful engineering and operations executive at Hewlett Packard, Quantum, and Iomega. In 2004, he decided to test his entrepreneurial skills and created Matchbin (now Radiate Media), a successful internet software company. Over the last 10 years, Reed has been active in the Utah technology community. As a member of the Governor's Technology Initiative Advisory Board for the State of Utah, he has helped to grow funding for engineering programs at Utah Universities and Colleges. Reed and his team are committed to helping children grow their interest and confidence in math and prepare them for a successful college education and career in technology, business, finance, medical, manufacturing, science, biology, or other fields that require strong math skills.

Fun Fact: Reed decided to become an Electrical Engineer because of an 8th-grade shop project making a DC motor.

Education: Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from BYU and Masters of Business Administration degree from Boise State University

Emily Pine, Regional Communication & Sales Director 

Emily has a background in digital storytelling through film and writing. She has won awards for her short documentary about wellness, an essay about the Holocaust, and various poems. She is a connector and most enjoys life when she's learning about a new culture, understanding a friend better, or writing to express herself. Emily has volunteered with elementary school children to assist in improving their reading skills. She is passionate about supporting kids of all ages to help them reach their scholastic and life goals. If Emily isn't traveling, she's planning her next adventure. She likes to host board game nights for family/friends and add her own flair to new/old recipes. 

Fun Fact: Emily has circumnavigated the globe in one (long) trip. Salt Lake > California > Mongolia > Switzerland > Chicago > Salt Lake. 

Education: Bachelor's degree in Digital Cinema from Utah Valley University 

Why I love Mathnasium: "I am excited about helping people progress to become better versions of themselves. When it comes to education, I am all on board (all day, every day) to equalize the learning gap for gender disparity and low-income students."

Rachel Israelsen, Assistant Center Director

Rachel has taken AP Calculus BC, Multivariable Calculus, Linear Algebra, Number Theory, Discrete Mathematics, and Differential Equations. She ran track and cross country in high school and also loves to dance. She got a 35 on the ACT including a 36 on the math portion. She was a state finalist for Math Sterling Scholar in 2015. Rachel is an officer of the club "Tomorrow's Educators Advocating for Math and Science" (TEAMS) at Weber State University.  

Fun Fact:  Rachel can rap every word of the Hamilton musical. 

Favorite Number: 13 because she is a big Taylor Swift fan. 

Education: Obtaining a second Bachelor's degree from Weber State University in Secondary Math Education. 

Why I love Mathnasium:   "I love seeing kids succeed at math and accomplish things they didn't think they could do. Every kid can do math and every kid can have fun while doing math!"

Melanie Cottle, Instructor