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.

Michael Kimmel

Deputy Director

Michael is the Center Director for Mathnasium of Garden City & Mineola, where he has helped students thrive for over a decade, and also serves as Deputy Director in Mathnasium of Bayside. A competitive mathlete from Baldwin, he earned dual B.A. degrees in Mathematics and Psychology from the University of Virginia. He completed post-graduate work in Secondary Mathematics Education at Queens College.

Passionate about helping students build confidence and a love for math, Michael especially enjoys guiding them through algebra and quadratic equations while connecting concepts to the real world. He creates a motivating and supportive environment where every student can succeed.

Outside the classroom, Michael channels his curiosity into emerging technologies such as blockchain and into music—playing trumpet with a background in blues, rock, reggae, funk, jazz, and even a touch of hip-hop. He also explores art on the blockchain, played baseball competitively for 15 years as an adult, and has recently tried his hand at a professional pickleball tournament, bringing the same dedication and energy to his hobbies as he does to teaching.

Joshua Basaldua

Assistant Center Director

Joshua Basaldua is both an Assistant Center Director and Instructor in our center. He is a Whitestone native and a graduate of Binghamton University, where he received a Bachelor's in Mathematical Sciences. If you look Josh up, you'll find that he was all over the coveted Dean's List! Josh has worked extensively in education and youth athletic programs serving students from kindergarten through high school, and has completed fieldwork in middle and high schools in New York. During the summers and when he isn't at Mathnasium, Josh spends a significant portion of his time working with NYJTL (New York Junior Tennis and Learning).

If you "guessed" that one of his favorite activities is tennis, you have been reading this biography attentively! Josh started playing the sport when he was just five, and he has stuck with it ever since!

Josh's favorite superhero is Batman because Batman "always finds a way out of an impossible situation." And in Josh’s words, one of his favorite equations is the quadratic formula because "the equation always works!" ...It seems clear that in math or in life or in super-hero universes, you can count on Josh loving a certain (and good) outcome!

Josh is a valued member of our Bayside team and is cherished by students of all ages in our center. He also speaks Spanish fluently.

Dr. Roseanne Gatto

HR Coordinator & Community Outreach Specialist

Roseanne is a Queens native who grew up in nearby Howard Beach. After attending St. Francis Prep High School, she continued her undergraduate studies locally at St. John’s University and then at the CUNY Graduate Center for her master's degree. She received her doctorate in Composition and Rhetoric from IUP and is a tenured faculty member of the Department of Core Studies at St. John’s University. In addition to teaching writing, she mentors and recruits bright students at the local and national levels. As a former high school teacher and now a mother of two, Roseanne is involved with the DOE and several local Catholic Schools. She is an expert in academic assessment and development with an eye on equity. She participates in recruiting events across the country.

Roseanne brings her love of teaching at all levels into every aspect of her life. She is especially excited to work with Mathnasium families to build children's confidence, regardless of aptitude. Her primary focus areas are marketing, outreach, and evaluation of center operations and employee relations.

In her spare time, Roseanne enjoys spending time with her children and her best four-legged friend, Reba.

Benjamin Lin

Instructor

Ben grew up in College Point, Queens, and now brings a down-to-earth, problem-solving mindset to his studies as a dual B.S./B.E. student in Physics and Computer Engineering at NYU. From earning an Advanced Regents Diploma with Honors at Brooklyn Technical High School (with a perfect GPA, obviously!) to scoring AP Scholar with Distinction and a 99+ percentile on his SAT Math (can you guess what he got?), Ben has spent years diving deep into challenging math and physics. He now shares this experience with students as a dedicated instructor at Mathnasium of Bayside.

When Ben needs a break from textbooks, he often ends up doing even more “engineering” —just in Minecraft. His current favorite pastime is the Create mod (with all the extensions), where he loves building intricate contraptions that might not look pretty, but usually work beautifully… and, when they don’t, he’ll happily spend hours debugging them until they do. His favorite expression is ∣x+iy∣=r, which captures the magnitude of complex numbers and hints at how far he likes to push ideas into more general, abstract territory.

Outside of the virtual world, Ben’s favorite book right now is “Turtles All the Way Down” by John Green. If he’s not at Mathnasium, you’ll probably find him “stuck” in the NYU Physics Department, camped out in the open area working through problem sets or collaborating with classmates. True to form, Ben will complain about tough problems—but he’ll also chase them down to completion, making him a great role model for persistence, curiosity, and creative problem-solving.

Sarah Aguiar

Instructor

Sarah is a proud, lifelong resident of Bayside. After graduating from Townsend Harris, it only took her three years to graduate cum laude in Applied Mathematics & Statistics and Economics at Stony Brook University. Given what you’ve just read, you shouldn’t be surprised to learn that she received Presidential Scholar recognition and earned a perfect record on the Dean’s List during that time. Sarah’s currently pursuing a master’s in Computational Applied Mathematics there.

When she isn’t teaching at Mathnasium (which she has done for over 5 years) or tackling new math challenges, Sarah enjoys weight lifting, running, and journaling. She brings the same steady focus and positive energy to the gym as she does to the classroom, so beware, as she is basically a mental and physical overachiever. Her favorite number is 3, her favorite shape is the circle, and her favorite book and movie series is "The Hunger Games."

Sarah’s happiest moments include baking cookies, getting lost in Panem with Katniss Everdeen, or just spending time with friends and family. She combines a deep knowledge of math, Bayside spirit, and a supportive attitude that makes all students feel welcome and inspired to grow.

Kevin Xie

Instructor

Shi Chen Lin

Instructor

Shi grew up in Georgia but moved to New York when she was in middle school. She graduated from Brooklyn Tech and currently attends Stony Brook University, where she is majoring in psychology with a focus on pre-nursing.

Shi loves exercising and playing music. She also loves to work on math problems in her spare time as they help her clear her mind, and she might be seen drinking a milk tea –her absolute go-to drink—while she’s at it.

Her favorite symbol in math is infinity because it represents the different lessons and knowledge we can obtain throughout our lives. In her own words, “I'm not sure if this makes sense, but I enjoy the process of chasing infinity.” It’s beautiful how she sees the idea of infinite knowledge as a limit function in itself. What a derivative of life!! (And yes, of course she’s amazing at calculus.) If Shi isn’t at Mathnasium, you might spot her volunteering at a hospital or clinic, probably working with children as she prepares to become a pediatric or maternity nurse. Shi brings this passion for helping and learning to our Bayside center every day. She enjoys exploring math with students and teaching them not to think of math as a bunch of numbers, but as something fun, makes a ton of sense, and is applicable everywhere in real life!

JohnAngelo Cuevas

Instructor

JohnAngelo Cuevas grew up in Fresh Meadows, Queens. He is a graduate of Bayside High School and currently attends Queens College, where he is pursuing degrees in Mathematics and Secondary Education.

In the past, he has worked as a lead counselor at summer camps, worked with students in STEM programs, and assisted in developing company websites across different platforms with a focus on standardizing the user experience.

John is an active member of the community. Through Our Lady of the Snows and American Martyrs Churches, he has volunteered his time to many food collection drives, participated in Hurricane Sandy Relief Clothes Donations initiatives, and worked on Greenway Parks and Playground cleanup initiatives, as well as various diversity events.

If you guessed that John’s favorite games are Among Us and Pokémon, you are correct! Feel free to talk to him about new and upcoming releases or about the latest Pokémon merch he’s looking to amass.

John’s favorite shapes are, in his own words, “spheres and circles because they represent my favorite sweets, being donuts and a nice scoop of Cookies and Cream.” And just like that… thanks to John… you’ll never look at donuts and ice cream the same again! Finally, John’s favorite food is his mom’s Thanksgiving turkey, so look for an invite from him in late November!

When John isn’t at Mathnasium or on campus, you might find him on Twitch streaming some Nintendo Games.

Mark Shrivastava

Instructor

Mark blends mathematical insight with artistic passion as a dual-degree student at CUNY Macaulay Honors College (Queens College), where he’s earning a B.S. in Quantitative Economics and a B.A. in Music, all after graduating from H. Frank Carey High School, with leadership in Tri-M Music Honor Society and top honors like the NASA TechRise Award. Mark brings precision and curiosity to Mathnasium, helping students thrive in everything from algebraic challenges to big-picture problem solving.

Born in Miami but raised on Long Island, Mark’s favorite pastime is practicing his viola—he’s always preparing for a recital or orchestra concert, often leading performances and fundraisers along the way. When math and music mix, Mark’s favorite equations are Maxwell’s equations, because they make modern technology —and, by extension, electronic music— possible! He also finds inspiration in the music of Philip Glass, especially the opera Satyagraha as featured in "Stranger Things."

If he’s not at Mathnasium, you might spot Mark exploring food spots across NYC or soaking in the arts at Lincoln Center, viola in hand. Mark’s enthusiasm for learning, taste for adventure, and knack for connecting math to real-world wonders make him a vibrant part of the Mathnasium team— and a resource for anyone seeking both technical mastery and a touch of culture.

Naqibul Talukder

Instructor

Naqibul’s math journey started with record-breaking grades in applied mathematics at Brooklyn Tech (GPA 4.0, Honor Roll, AP Scholar with Distinction) and continues at Stony Brook University, where he’s a junior majoring in both Mathematics and Applied Mathematics & Statistics —all while conducting research in number theory and combinatorics. Whether mapping the mysteries of vector spaces or working with students at Mathnasium, Naqibul brings a dedicated, creative approach to mathematics.

Originally from the small village of Sarisabari in Jamalpur, Bangladesh, Naqibul brings a global perspective to Bayside and Queens, which he now calls home. When not helping students conquer challenging problems, you can find him gaming with friends, grooving to any genre on his playlist, or debating why the Rank-Nullity Theorem deserves its moment in the spotlight. (And if you don’t know what that means… just come in and ask him!)

Quick facts: His favorite hero is Nightwing, and he claims to spend most of his time either at home or in the math building at Stony Brook. (Occasionally, he can be found showing off his unique talent—bending his fingers completely backward!) At Mathnasium, Naqibul combines academic rigor, cultural pride, and a dash of fun—proving that math is for everyone, even superheroes and gamers alike.

Serges Mpoungui

Instructor

Serges grew up in the vibrant coastal city of Pointe Noire, Republic of Congo, before bringing his love of math —and positive energy— to our Mathnasium community. He holds a Bachelor of Science from Mercy University, where he spent years tutoring students at all levels and leading workshops as a teaching assistant, helping everyone deepen their understanding of math concepts. Best of all, he can teach math in French just as easily as in English!

When he isn’t supporting Mathnasium students, Serges divides his free time between tennis courts, piano keys, and soccer fields. Whether he’s perfecting his serve or enjoying the camaraderie of a pick-up game at Pier 40, Serges approaches every sport and activity with focus and enthusiasm.

His favorite shape is the circle, his favorite number is 1 (first—and always striving to be the best!), and his favorite movie will always be "The Lion King." If you’re looking for Serges outside of Mathnasium, you’ll likely catch him with friends on the nearest soccer pitch or at the tennis courts, ready for the next challenge and inspiring everyone to bring their best.

Furman Thomas

Instructor

Furman grew up in Jackson Heights and now brings that same Queens energy and curiosity to Mathnasium. As a Nutrition & Exercise Science major at Queens College, with a strong foundation in math and science, he is building a career focused on understanding how bodies move, grow, and stay healthy. His experience ranges from political canvassing—explaining complex ideas clearly and confidently—to hands-on work in physical therapy and meticulous administrative support at Paragon Honda, all of which sharpened his communication, discipline, and reliability.

Outside the classroom, Furman’s favorite hobby is making beats on his laptop, often disappearing down creative rabbit holes between sessions of hanging out with friends and family. His favorite equation is the Pythagorean identity, , which he loves for the way it ties together geometry, trigonometry, and deeper patterns in math. His favorite superhero is Nightwing, whose optimism, integrity, and selflessness represent the kind of person Furman strives to be: grounded, relatable, and always trying to do the right thing.

When he’s not at Mathnasium, you can probably spot Furman at Queens College, striking up conversations with anyone and everyone, and turning everyday moments into thoughtful exchanges. He believes everything is a lesson and everybody is a teacher—and that curiosity is a superpower. Whether he’s helping a student through a tricky concept, exploring new sounds in his music, or learning from the people around him, Furman brings warmth, openness, and a growth mindset to everything he does.

Antonio Coyoc

Assistant Center Director (Alumnus), Currently a High School Teacher

Antonio is both an Assistant Center Director and a beloved instructor at our Bayside center. He is a Queens native in the Honors Program at St. John’s University, where he is majoring in Math and has a penchant for scholarly teaching. He knows that the keys to success as an instructor are patience, enthusiasm, and compassion, and he demonstrates these qualities to our students every day. Feel free to pop into the center anytime to witness him in action!

In addition to receiving scholarships and various honors distinctions –yes, not just in math!—Antonio was the recipient of the Scholar Athlete award for his high school. He’s an avid baseball player and a huge Yankees fan. Even though his idol is Yogi Berra, we’re sure Antonio would have loved a chance to sit with him and work on some of Yogi’s famous quotes… like, “baseball is 90% mental and the other half is physical” or “you better cut the pizza in four pieces because I’m not hungry enough to eat six!!!”

Antonio loves to bike in his spare time and is also an active volunteer at the Church of Incarnation, and is currently the head sacristan there.

Alex Ching

Instructor (Alumnus), Currently a High School Teacher

Alex grew up in Bayside and attended Stuyvesant High School. He has a B.A. in Mathematics from Binghamton University and recently completed his Master's of Education from Fordham University. Alex has been with Mathnasium for nearly 3 years and has taught science to elementary school kids at day camps, and has volunteered to teach math to elementary school students in Chinatown in the past. He believes that his passion for math and love for teaching are the keys to being an effective math tutor.

When he isn’t busy talking about imaginary numbers, natural logarithms, and the number Pi (Euler’s equation is his favorite!), Alex might be seen enjoying an authentic slice of pizza, playing basketball, or speaking Mandarin.

Alex tutors math to students at all levels.

Jasmine Then

Instructor (Alumnus), Currently a High School Teacher

Jasmine grew up right here in Bayside, Queens, and recently earned her BA from Binghamton University, where she majored in Math & Actuarial Science with a Minor in Economics. She is currently pursuing her Master of Arts from Queens College, where she is specialising in Math and Secondary Education.

In her spare time, Jasmine loves to dance and play music. If you're interested in a dance off, feel free to challenge Jasmine with some hip-hop moves or classical ballet (yes, she is that versatile!). And when it comes to music, she will blow you away with her flute, literally! She played it for 9 years when she was younger.

When it comes to math topics, Jasmine's favorites are the Taylor series and Maclaurin series of functions. She loves them because they can make tedious work fun... but you'll have to brush up on your derivatives knowledge before having a conversation with her about them here!

If you guessed that the circle was Jasmine's favorite shape... well, you only get partial credit. In her own words, she doesn't have a favorite shape, but she does "have a love/hate relationship with the circle." That is deep, but probably better suited for a conversation with her. So ask about it the next time you are with her in the center.

And her favorite superhero? Thor. Jasmine appreciates his story and sees it as a story of personal growth.

Jasmine also speaks Mandarin and Spanish.

Kenneth Kim

Instructor (Alumnus), Currently a Jr. Designer with Con Edison

Ken graduated from Brooklyn Tech and is currently at the Stevens Institute of Technology, where he is pursuing an engineering degree. He has lived in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Manhattan, but he currently resides in Queens. Ken only has one borough move left to say he’s lived in all five… will Staten Island be his next stomping grounds?

One of Ken's favorite questions to ponder is 6 ÷ 2 ( 1 + 2 ) because, in his own elegant words, “it shows the flaws of PEMDAS and how a simple equation can result in multiple answers without clarity.” This equation has certainly set off many interesting (and heated) conversations around the globe!

Ken’s favorite movie is Ready Player One because it explores the possibility of a full-dive virtual reality. When he isn’t at Mathnasium, you might spot him on campus in Hoboken or on several online videos he’s made!

Ron Arcentales

Instructor (Alumnus)

Ron graduated from Queens College with a B.A. in Mathematics and a minor in Computer Science. Math has always been his favorite subject, and he enjoys sharing his passion for it with students. He believes that being patient and approachable is the key to being a great tutor. He has been with Mathnasium for over 6 years and is an invaluable member of our team.

Ron’s favorite math topic is the Fibonacci Sequence because it can be found everywhere in nature. When he isn’t working as a legal assistant or teaching students, Ron can be found playing handball, a sport he has passionately pursued for the past 18 years and plans to keep playing at every chance he gets.

Ron also speaks Spanish.

Dylan S.

Instructor (Alumnus)

Dylan is a Queens native, a graduate of the Bronx High School of Science, and a National Merit Scholar. Before joining Mathnasium as an instructor, he was a Mathnasium student! So he’s well-versed in our materials and relates exceptionally well with our students. Dylan was previously a counselor at the Alley Pond Environmental Center, where he prepared workshops for visitors and cared for various animals.

In his spare time, Dylan enjoys drawing and playing games –his favorites are Celeste and Super Mario 64. His favorite number is 24, because in Dylan’s own words, “it’s large enough to be somewhat substantial, small enough not to seem arbitrary, both of its digits are even and multiples of two, and it has many factors.” What a beautiful explanation and lens into his mind!

Caitlin Yao

Instructor (Alumnus)

Caitlin is a Queens native through and through. She was born and raised here and now attends St. Francis Prep. Her middle school math teacher was obsessed with the quadratic formula, and that rubbed off on her; it's now her favorite. Way to go, teachers!

If you guessed that Frozen is Caitlin’s favorite movie, you are correct. She loves the story so much, she just can’t let it go! You might have also figured out that music is a massive part of Caitlin’s life: she loves playing percussion instruments and the piano whenever she can.

When she isn’t instructing at Mathnasium, Caitlin might be spotted rushing between classes or might be nowhere to be seen. She loves to sleep and makes sure she gets plenty of it every day to keep her energy levels high when awake!

Jason Jung

Instructor (Alumnus)

Jason Jung lives in Whitestone and attends Bayside High School. He excels at math and helping students learn difficult concepts, and has wonderfully fresh perspectives on the world. His favorite shape is the spiral from the Fibonacci sequence. In his words, “it’s so satisfying how a mathematical sequence creates a perfect spiral, and how it relates to art, people’s faces, and so much more around us!”

Jason also has unique interests that he pursues outside of school that you might not guess: he loves origami, coding, and watching archery competitions. He’ll tell you right away that his absolute favorite superhero is Spiderman because he’d love to swing like him. “He looks so free!” But if you asked him what his favorite movie is or food is, he’ll tell you that it changes every time. What a fantastic, beautiful mind!

Tomasso Coraci

Instructor (Alumnus), Currently a High School Teacher

Angelina Iacovou

Instructor (Alumnus)

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.

Quote Quote
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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Student using math cubes to solve fractions
Student working with a math tutor at a local math learning center

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