Meet the Team at Mathnasium of Central Whitby

Paolo

Paolo is an accomplished and dedicated Assistant Centre Director at Mathnasium of Central Whitby with an exceptional academic background and extensive teaching experience. Holding both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Mathematics from the University of Toronto, Paolo brings a high level of expertise in mathematical concepts, problem-solving techniques, and advanced theoretical applications to the classroom. Paolo has been with the Mathnasium of Central Whitby since opening day, starting off as a Lead Instructor and working his way up to our Assistant Centre Director role.

With over five years of experience as a Teaching Assistant at the University of Toronto, developed a strong foundation in instructing and mentoring students at the post secondary  level. This experience honed his ability to communicate complex mathematical concepts in an accessible and engaging manner. His work at Mathnasium has been equally impactful, where for the past two years, he has worked with a diverse range of students, from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12.

Harlow

Harlow is a dedicated Instructor at Mathnasium with a strong academic background in the sciences and a passion for helping students succeed in math. Holding a Master’s Degree in Environmental Science from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Ontario Tech University, he brings a rich understanding of analytical thinking, problem-solving, and scientific reasoning to his math instruction.

With experience working with children of all abilities, Harlow is committed to making math approachable, engaging, and most importantly, fun. Harlow’s focus is on empowering students to build confidence in their mathematical abilities, helping them not only succeed in their current grade level but also develop a strong foundation for future learning.

Harlow is passionate about breaking down complex concepts into simple, digestible steps, using individualized teaching strategies that ensure every student can grasp the material and thrive. Whether helping students with basic arithmetic or more advanced topics like algebra or geometry, he tailors his approach to meet the unique needs and learning styles of each child.

Shiyani

Shiyani is an enthusiastic and highly motivated Instructor at Mathnasium of Central Whitby, with a diverse academic background. Holding a Bachelor of Health Science degree with a specialization in Biochemistry from McMaster University, she brings a unique perspective to teaching mathematics, combining a strong foundation in scientific research with a passion for helping students excel in math.

She is currently completing her Master’s degree in Epidemiology at the University of Toronto, further expanding her expertise in data analysis and statistical methods.

With a solid background as a Research Assistant at McMaster University in the Departments of Psychiatry, Neuroscience & Behaviour, and Biology, Shiyani has honed critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills that she applies to her teaching at Mathnasium. Her ability to break down complex topics, both in science and mathematics, enables her to make math accessible and engaging for students of all ages and abilities.

Her goal is to inspire students to not only succeed in mathematics but also to develop a deep confidence in their abilities.

Rikki

Rikki is an enthusiastic and highly skilled Mathnasium instructor, bringing a wealth of expertise from her academic and hands-on experiences in the fields of engineering and technology. With dual bachelor’s degrees in Electrical Engineering and Computing Technology from the University of Ottawa, she offers a strong foundation in both theoretical and practical problem-solving, which she eagerly shares with her students. 

Before joining Mathnasium, Rikki gained valuable experience as a STEM tutor, where she honed her ability to adapt teaching techniques to meet the diverse learning styles of students. This background has equipped her with a unique set of skills that make her an excellent guide for students navigating the complexities of mathematics.

One of her proudest accomplishments during her university years was her role as a technical designer and mentor for the University of Ottawa’s robotics team. There, she played a pivotal part in designing an innovative underwater robot aimed at solving real-world marine challenges. Her leadership and technical expertise helped the team gain global recognition, culminating in participation in the World Championships held in California and Colorado.  

Elijah

Elijah is a dedicated and passionate Mathnasium Instructor who brings a unique blend of academic excellence and hands-on research experience to our team. A graduate of the University of Toronto with a Life Sciences degree, Elijah has a strong background in research, having synthesized findings from over 100 research articles into well-organized summaries to influence PhD-level experimental designs.

Throughout their academic career, he strengthened his analytical skills using advanced software tools such as SPSS and excel to analyze and graph data, determining statistically significant changes in various research experiments. This attention to detail and mastery of data analysis enables them to approach teaching math with a scientific mindset, ensuring that every lesson is structured, logical, and grounded in evidence-based strategies.

At Mathnasium, Elijah is thrilled to apply his love for math and teaching to support children in developing their skills, boosting their self-esteem, and cultivating a lifelong passion for learning.

Nneka

Nneka holds a Bachelor's degree in Arts, minoring in Statistics and Economics, and has earned a Master's degree in Statistics from the University of Waterloo. Her academic journey has been enriched with hands-on experience, including her role as an Undergraduate Research Assistant at York University, where she conducted in-depth data analysis on large count-compositional datasets. 

During her time at Waterloo, Nneka also served as a Teaching Assistant, collaborating with professors and course coordinators to deliver effective, engaging instruction to students. Her expertise in statistics and passion for teaching shine through in every lesson she teaches.

Whether working with junior kindergarten students or Grade 12 students, Nneka's enthusiasm for math is contagious. She brings a unique blend of knowledge, experience, and dedication to ensure every student not only understands but enjoys learning math!

We’re thrilled to have her as part of our team!