Our Team at Mathnasium of Champlin Park

Mahalia

Education: 

I graduated from Champlin Park High School in 2022 and completed 2 years of a biomedical engineering program at Northwestern University.

Years of experience teaching math: 

1 year

What do you like most about learning? 

I enjoy learning math specifically because I find it interesting to see the different ways people approach the same problem. There are various ways to approach a problem and still arrive at the right answer, and it’s fun to figure out which approach works best for each person.

What is the biggest impact you’ve had on a student’s ability to become proficient in math?

We had a student come into the center who was really behind in math and needed to work on many fundamental skills. They were also quite shy their first few days, so I made sure the center was a fun place where they could be themself. Now, after working with them for a few months, they have mastered many of the fundamental skills they need to succeed in math, and have come out of their shell a lot!

How do you make learning math fun for students?

It’s important to me that I start off every session with a short conversation about how the student’s week is going and what they’re doing outside of school. Learning about each student's interests outside of school helps me build a relationship with them. Then, if a student gets bored or frustrated during their session, I have a few conversation topics to bring up, so they can take a short break and talk about their interests before being redirected back to their work.

Cheyenne

Education: 

AS Mathematics 

Years of experience teaching math: 

Over a decade

What do you like most about learning? 

Developing an intuition for problem solving and critical reasoning. 

What is the biggest impact you’ve had on a student’s ability to become proficient in math?

Increased confidence, developing an enthusiasm for learning. 

What type of math do you enjoy teaching most?

All types, strategic thinking/puzzles. 

How do you make learning math fun for students?

Sharing a genuine love of math with students. Incorporating puzzles, games, visuals, and manipulatives to drive engagement. Encouraging them for their success and to develop a growth centered mindset.

Elijah

Education: 

High school graduate, taking upper level undergraduate classes. Attending the University of Minnesota in the 2026-27 school year.

Years of experience teaching math: 

2 years

What do you like most about learning? 

Making things "click"/ understanding them intuitively 

What is the biggest impact you’ve had on a student’s ability to become proficient in math?

There was a student whose opinion on mathematics I helped shift from open dislike to (if mild) genuine interest, and I think that is one of the most important part to becoming proficient in mathematics. 

What type of math do you enjoy teaching most?

Combinatorics and Geometry 2 concepts 

How do you make learning math fun for students?

I try to show them where and how the mathematics is useful, to give it a feeling of purpose.

Mallory

Education: 

I am going into my senior year at Champlin Park High School. 

Years of experience teaching math: 

1 year 

What do you like most about learning? 

I love that people can learn in different ways and being able to connect the things you learn to areas in your life. 

What is the biggest impact you’ve had on a student’s ability to become proficient in math?

In the short time I’ve been at Mathnasium I’ve seen kids go from not understanding a topic at all to being able to teach it to others. This is my favorite thing about my job. 

What type of math do you enjoy teaching most?

I love getting to help kids in algebra since it was one of my favorite subjects as well. 

How do you make learning math fun for students?

I understand that kids often see math as difficult and even useless. I do my best to help them see how fun it can be by using games, puzzles, and different manipulatives to make it easier.

Andrew

Education: 

High School Diploma/going to University of Minnesota for Mechanical Engineering 

Years of experience teaching math: 

1 year

What do you like most about learning? 

I like that learning is always never ending, and that when you learn new things it takes time and effort. 

What is the biggest impact you’ve had on a student’s ability to become proficient in math?

My biggest impact is helping a student that was a bit nervous to come into his session and making him feel more comfortable to learn math by playing games with him. 

What type of math do you enjoy teaching most?

Algebra

How do you make learning math fun for students?

I try to play lots of games with them and make them feel comfortable.