Our Team at Mathnasium of Andover

Amanda Barbian

Education: 

B.S. in Math, Minor in Computer Science

1 year teaching prep program (graduate level)

Current MN 5-12 teaching license

Years of experience teaching math: 

8 years 

What do you like most about learning? 

I like how learning extends beyond your present life. You get to think about the whole of the world and make sense of it. With learning you can understand anything you want!

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

As the assistant director I get the privilege of figuring out where students are at right now and creating a course of action to get them where they want to be. Having someone “rooting for you” in your corner can make the biggest difference in a student being able to learn and develop. Sometimes it is the interactions I have with students day-to-day, and sometimes it is being there to guide them throughout their journey.

What type of math do you enjoy teaching most?

I love teaching numerical fluency. A lot of people think that being fluent in math is something you either have or you don’t. I hear it all the time: “I was never that good at math.” However, anyone can be good at math. Watching a student start to pick up strategies and grow with them is one of my favorite things. Sometimes it takes time and sometimes you need someone to help you, but anyone can do it!

How do you make learning math fun for students?

We do a lot of things to make math fun! For some students that is getting to do math with a friend. For some students that is getting a reward for their hard work. For some students it is getting to do a new activity or challenge or game when they come into the center. We make math fun by making Mathnasium a fun place to be! The math just comes naturally after that.

Carter

Education: 

Math undergrad at University of Minnesota

Years of experience teaching math: 

2 years 

What do you like most about learning? 

I like knowledge for the sake of knowledge. I just want to learn as much as I can about any topic that interests me.

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

Within a few months I helped a student go from struggling to add single digits on their fingers to now being able to do multi-digit addition/subtraction and multiplication by themselves.

What type of math do you enjoy teaching most?

Anything with variables: calculus, algebra, trigonometry. That's when math gets fun. The more difficult the better. 

How do you make learning math fun for students?

By trying to instill positivity and confidence in them. When you're confident, it can be satisfying and fun to learn new concepts and solve problems with what you've learned.

Austin

Education: 

Current PSEO student at University of Northwestern – St. Paul

Years of experience teaching math: 

1.5 years 

What do you like most about learning? 

Learning develops problem solving and critical thinking skills.

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

The biggest impact I've had is I've helped students become independent on their math work. I do this by giving lots of guidance at the beginning of a concept they are struggling with, then I slowly back off on the guidance and give them the goal of being able to do it on their own.

What type of math do you enjoy teaching most?

Probability

How do you make learning math fun for students?

I make math fun by giving students challenges and math games.

Hanna

Education: 

High school

Years of experience teaching math: 

1 year

What do you like most about learning? 

I love seeing how different things work and connect together. It is especially fun in math or science classes when it feels like I am solving a puzzle.

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

I have been helping my brother with his math work since he was in elementary school. I started out with his classwork but quickly moved on to higher grade levels. He has excelled in math.

What type of math do you enjoy teaching most?

I love algebra! I think it's really cool when I see it click for people and they end up finding it fun. I also like how some problems can look complex but have simple solutions.

How do you make learning math fun for students?

I do my best to show them tricks to help them. This makes it more enjoyable for them since it helps them go faster and feel accomplished. I also give them words of encouragement.

Ilham

Education: 

Freshman at UMN

Years of experience teaching math: 

4 years 

What do you like most about learning? 

I like being able to apply the things I learn in real life.

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

I was able to boost a student's grade to an A, and they also began to actually enjoy their math class.

What type of math do you enjoy teaching most?

Basic algebra. I think that it's just fun to do!

How do you make learning math fun for students?

Making math fun is different for every student, but turning complex problems into games is one of the easiest ways.