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.

Larry Martinek

Creator of the Mathnasium Method
Larry has spent his entire career finding a better way to teach math. From inner city to public schools, to acclaimed magnet schools, to leading private and parochial schools, Larry has served as both a classroom teacher and as an educational consultant. He has designed curriculum, teaching strategies, and teaching materials designed to help students and teachers learn math more effectively, He has trained teachers in the art and science of boosting students' ability to "do" math, thereby increasing students' math scores and feeling of self-worth. Larry is the developer of Mathnasium's educational program - one of the most comprehensive and innovative curricula ever produced for teaching math. While Larry is not an instructor at our center in Lake St. Louis, he is a valuable asset and we can call on him to ask specific student's scenarios for guidance and advice.

Stacey Blessing

Center Director
Ms. Stacey Blessing spent the last 26 years as an elementary teacher. She attended Missouri Baptist University to receive a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. She then received a Masters degree in Elementary Math from University of Central Missouri. She has taught 4th and 5th grade for many years. She now works in the Francis Howell school district as a math interventionist K-5. In her free time, she loves to build and create with LEGOS!

Elishia Trieber

Lead Instructor
Ms. Elishia Trieber is from Idaho and studies organizational leadership at a college in Wentzville. When home in Idaho, she helps at a daycare and is involved with the youth and kids at her church. She enjoys spending time with loved ones, especially doing outdoor activities, such as going to the ocean, kayaking, and playing a sport. Elishia used to live on the Oregon coast, and she loved it there! Elishia’s favorite number is 9. She does not have a specific reason, other than it appears in her birthdate. She also likes 2, 19, and 29. (19 is also a part of her birthday, and one of her favorite football players wore the number 29).

Rayna Classen

Instructor
Ms. Rayna Classen is a student at St. Charles Community College and is studying Biochemistry. She hopes to pursue a career in scientific research. Rayna also enjoys making music, writing, and stargazing. One fun fact about Rayna is that she collects rocks! Her favorite number is 33 because it is the atomic number of her favorite element on the periodic table. Her favorite math joke is: What do math teachers and the Backstreet Boys have in common? They both want you to tell them y!

Matthew Nguyen

Instructor
Mr. Matthew Nguyen is a Sophomore at Webster University. He is currently majoring in Finance. He enjoys learning about business operations and how they deal with their capital. He wants to work in the finance or accounting industry after he graduates. Matthew likes watching anime, playing tennis, and playing games with friends and family. Fun Fact: He enjoys making YouTube videos where he showcases fun time with friends during his free time. 100 is his favorite number because who doesn’t want to get a 100% on their test? His favorite math joke is: What do you get if you divide the circumference of a jack-o-lantern by its diameter? Pumpkin Pi.

Gunnika Singh

Instructor
Ms. Gunnika Singh is a senior at Fort Zumwalt West High School, and she will be studying computer science or engineering next year. One day, she hopes to work with artificial intelligence! She absolutely loves math and actually grew up training mental math on an abacus. Gunnika is also obsessed with the Olympics and is now a figure skater herself! Aside from skating, Gunnika loves to read, journal, craft, and spend time with family and friends (including her lovable little sister). Her favorite number is 3 because the time, date, and month she was born in are all divisible by 3

Andy Basford

Instructor
Mr. Andy Basford started working as an in-store locksmith after his tour of duty in the US Navy. Then, he went back to school and discovered that his knack for mathematics not only helped him in locksmithing but also helped him understand things like iterations and statistics. He holds a degree in Mathematical Science from Maryville University, and his favorite number is φ (because it’s pretty much the same if you subtract it from 1 or invert it to 1/φ). Andy's flair for dad jokes, however, seem to be rather pun-ishing. One time, Andy submitted 10 puns to a dad joke contest, figuring that at least one of them would have a chance to win, but unfortunately no pun in 10 did.

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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