Our Team at Mathnasium of Cedar Park

Dania Hinojosa

Hi, I'm Dania Hinojosa, the Assistant Center Director at Mathnasium of Cedar Park! I have a background in Cognitive Science from Johns Hopkins University and have been tutoring math since high school. I'm passionate about helping students build confidence and master math in a supportive, engaging environment.

Riley Nix

Riley is the Educational Outreach Coordinator at Mathnasium of Cedar Park. She graduated from Texas State University with a degree in Communication Studies. She loves to travel, visit Disney World any chance she gets, and spend her free time doing arts and crafts.

Favorite Number
31 — because she loves Halloween!

Favorite Math Joke
Q: Are any vampires good at math?
A: No, not unless you Count Dracula!

Why She Loves Mathnasium
Riley enjoys being part of a team that supports students and brings creativity and fun into their learning experience!

Mollie Ward

Mollie is a former band director who loves working with kids!  She also loves traveling, music, spending time with her family and geocaching.

Favorite Number : 13- She is the thirteenth grandchild on her mother's side, She has thirteen cousins, she got married  on Friday the 13th.  It's the sum of 6-7. 

Favorite Math Joke : Why is February 2nd "Ballet Day"?  Because its 2/2 🩰

In five years, I will be : Hanging out in Italy and living La Dolce Vita. 

I love Mathnasium because : Great staff, fun kids. 

Jennifer Speer

Jennifer has a unique perspective that allows her to understand your kids and help them.

She is a successful business owner and homeschooling mom of 3! She has the perspective of an educator as well as a busy parent and knows the challenges of both. Jennifer knows how to engage the kids and hold their interest. She keeps them progressing in math in a way they will actually enjoy!

Jennifer has always had a strong grip on Mathematics, earning her B.B.A in Finance at Southwest Texas State University and then owning and operating successful businesses alongside her husband James.

After discovering Mathnasium and seeing what it can offer kids, they made a tough decision to sell their previous business and start all over again. As scary as that sounds, they knew that parents wanted the best education options available for their children. Now she and James have expanded to multiple locations and have thousands of amazing success stories as a result of the passionate instructors, inspiring learning environment, unique teaching style, and world-class curriculum at Mathnasium!

Favorite Math Joke: There are 3 kinds of people in this world... Those who can count, and those who can't.

Fun Fact: Graduated college in 3 1/2 years with a 4.0!

I love Mathnasium because: I get to be a part of a great organization that changes kids' lives! Who wouldn't want to be a part of that?!?

Larry Martinek

Larry has spent his entire career finding a better way to teach math. From inner city 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 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, he is a valuable asset we can call on to ask about specific students' scenarios for guidance and advice. This has helped to make visits more productive and enjoyable for many of our students.

Learn more about Larry and Mathnasium here!

Ava Hume

Ava a passionate student who loves science and will be attending the University of Notre Dame. She enjoys working with kids and finds it especially rewarding to help them grow in confidence and understanding. Outside of teaching, she loves reading and is always excited to learn something new. She brings curiosity, patience, and enthusiasm into everything she does.

Favorite Number : Her favorite number is 3 because all GOOD things happen in threes!  

Favorite Math Joke : Why was the equal sign so humble? Because it knew it wasn’t less than or greater than anyone else! 

In five years, I will be : Pursuing a career in science or a related field, building on the foundation of curiosity and problem-solving that she always loved. She also hopes to continue making a positive impact on others, whether through teaching, mentoring, or community involvement. Ultimately, she wants to be in a role where she is learning constantly, helping others succeed, and using her skills to make a meaningful difference.  

I love Mathnasium because : She gets to help students build both their math skills and their confidence. It’s incredibly rewarding to see a student go from feeling frustrated to feeling proud of themselves after understanding a concept. She also enjoys the positive, supportive environment, both with the students and my fellow instructors, and she loves that every day is an opportunity to make learning fun and meaningful. 

Mason Menchaca

Mason is planning to pursue a career in a math related field or in counseling because he believes he can apply a unique perspective. In his time off he loves to play games and read comics/manga. His favorite game and movie are Cyberpunk 2077 and A Silent Voice.

Favorite Number : 4 because it creates an easy pattern to follow but has a level of complexity that gets his brain working 🧠

Favorite Math Joke : A mother has 2 kids. One son was born on a Tuesday. What are the chances of her other child being a girl?

In five years, I will be : Smiling and making jokes 

I love Mathnasium because : He loves to see all the different personalities shine through when teaching. Greatest feeling is to see shy kids open up and make some conversation

Torin Crowley

Torin is a college student at ACC majoring in computer science. He loves math, programming, and sleeping. If there were an Olympic event for being cool and awesome, he’d proudly take home the silver medal.

Favorite Number: 8 — because it’s symmetrical.

Favorite Math Joke: What is a mathematician’s favorite dessert? Pi.

In 5 Years: Torin hopes to be programming a silly little game.

Why Mathnasium? Because he loves math!

Gabriella Thiakos

Gabriella is a senior at Vista Ridge High School who loves all things math and science! She hopes to study biomedical engineering in college but, for now, she’s sharing her love of problem-solving with students at Mathnasium. Gabriella’s favorite part of the job is helping kids realize that math can actually be fun and creative. When she’s not tutoring, you can probably find her hanging out with her three poodles or geeking out over cool science facts. 🐾🔬

Favorite number: 5 — it pops up everywhere in her life (birthday, sports jerseys, and more!)

Favorite math joke: Why was 6 afraid of 7? Because 7 ate 9.

In five years, I will be: Starting medical school!

I love Mathnasium because: I get to cheer students on as they build confidence and discover that math isn’t just numbers — it’s awesome!

Ishani Desai

Ishani is a high school student who loves math and helping others succeed in it. She enjoys breaking down tough concepts so they’re easier to understand. Her goal is to share her passion for problem-solving while helping students build confidence and reach their goal!

Favorite Number : Her favorite number is 8 because it just feels like a good number! 

Favorite Math Joke : Why can’t your nose grow to be 12 inches long? Because then it would be a foot!  

In five years, I will be : She hopes to build a career and help others through it. 

I love Mathnasium because : She loves seeing when a concept suddenly clicks for a student and the smile they have on their face after it! 

Kelly Chan

Kelly is a graduate student at Rice University working on her Master's of Electrical and Computer Engineering. She started math tutoring at the age of sixteen and loves working with kids! After graduation she hopes to work as a computer engineer at a big tech company. Outside of Mathnasium, she loves reading, creating art, and boxing.  

Favorite Number : 10 because it is visually appealing and often used outside of math.

Favorite Math Joke : Do you know what type of math birds like best? Owlgebra! 🦉

In five years, I will be : Working in the Computer Engineering industry

I love Mathnasium because : I love teaching math to the kids and practicing math outside of university!

Oshin Aslot

Oshin is currently a senior at around Rock Highschool! She has a younger brother who she enjoys playing music with— her flute and him the trumpet. She enjoys music, movies, and reading. She aims to become an Electrical Engineer and attend Rice University.

Favorite Number : 18; since she will be celebrating her 18th birthday in March 🎂

Favorite Math Joke : When I see someone with graph paper, I know they are plotting something. 

In five years, I will be : She hopes to be a graduate student at Rice University working on a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering. 

I love Mathnasium because : She believe the best impact you can make is a positive one on the next generation. The adults in her life have been her example of that. She wants to be a personal role model and supporter for others growth and success. 

Sahana Sriram

Sahana is a Junior at McNeil High School. She loves reading, painting, and watching shows on Netflix the most! Her favorite subject is probably math or science. With math seeming so complex and confusing, learning the right technique to solve a problem and everything clicking is an amazing feeling. She also loves science because of all the cool experiments they get to do (specifically biology and chemistry) leading her to want to pursue a science career in the future! 🔬

Favorite Number : 27 — her birthday is on September 27th (which is 3^2/3^3) and she is also graduating in 2027, which makes her feel truly connected to the number 27!

Favorite Math Joke : Calculus jokes are too derivative, trigonometry jokes are too graphic, algebra jokes are too formulaic, and arithmetic jokes are too basic!  

In five years, I will be : In college pursuing a degree in biology or biomedical science and go into vaccine making!  

I love Mathnasium because : There is a strong sense of community and belonging with all the students and staff. Everyone is super friendly and I love working with the kids and their different personalities so much!

Shehzer Maredia

Shehzer loves cooking, baking brownies and cookies, and hanging out with friends—whether that’s going out or inviting them over. On weekends, you’ll probably catch him on the basketball court playing with friends.

Favorite Number: 11, since it’s both his birthday number and his jersey number.

Favorite Math Joke: Why was 6 afraid of 7? Because 7, 8, 9!

5-Year Goal: Studying in dental school and working toward becoming an orthodontist.

Why Mathnasium? Shehzer loves sharing his passion for math with kids and helping them build their knowledge and confidence.

Ximena Fregoso Jaramillo

Ximena is originally from Mexico City; however, she has lived in the area for almost 10 years. She is currently a high school senior, who's taken 9 advanced/AP math courses 3 of which are Physics courses, so you could say she dabbles a little with math (in a very humble tone). After high school she plans to pursue a career in Architecture, and she is really excited about that.

Favorite Number : 64; It's a perfect square and a perfect cube; therefore its a perfect number in her terms. And there's a silly song by the Beatles that outlines the possibilities of life at 64.  🎶

Favorite Math Joke : How do stay warm in an empty room? Go stand by the corner where its always a nice and toasty 90 degrees!  

In five years, I will be : She hopes to be graduated with her bachelor's and studying my Master's in Architecture. Hopefully by then she has a good internship that's helping her earn hours towards my licensure. 

I love Mathnasium because : It's a really fun work environment! She gets to strengthen my mathematical knowledge, all the while helping kids master and get ahead with their own math work. And it's kind of cool to be able to give the students advice about their particular grade levels, and just make conversation while they work.  

High School Math Experts

High school math courses include advanced topics that require specialized knowledge and a deep understanding of complex concepts. Our instructors are brilliant, engaging math experts that guide our students through these challenging topics. 

Here's why their expertise is essential:

1. Advanced Math Topics Require Specialized Knowledge
High school math covers subjects like algebra, geometry, trigonometry, calculus, and statistics, which require advanced problem-solving skills. Mathnasium instructors are skilled in teaching these challenging topics, breaking them down into clear, understandable steps that help students succeed in high school math.

2. Preparing for College and Standardized Tests
High school math tutoring is crucial for preparing students for college math and standardized tests like the SAT and ACT. Mathnasium instructors can provide targeted test prep, ensuring students understand the necessary math concepts to perform well on these exams.

3. Filling Gaps in Math Knowledge
Many high school students have gaps in their math knowledge from earlier grades. Mathnasium instructors are experts at identifying these gaps, whether from pre-algebra or earlier, and providing the math help needed to fill them. This ensures that students have a strong foundation for tackling high school-level math.

4. Personalized Instruction for Every Student
High school math tutoring at Mathnasium is personalized to fit each student’s learning style. Whether students need more visual aids, hands-on practice, or a slower pace, Mathnasium instructors tailor their teaching methods to ensure students grasp complex math concepts and succeed in their courses.

5. Building Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills
Problem-solving and critical thinking are key in high school math. Mathnasium focuses on developing these skills, helping students approach complex math problems logically. This not only improves their performance in high school math and on college entrance exams, but also strengthens their overall math problem-solving abilities.

6. Support for Various High School Math Curricula
Whether students are following a Common Core, IB, AP, or another high school math curriculum, Mathnasium instructors provide tailored support that aligns with these programs. They also help students prepare for AP exams and math sections of the SAT/ACT, ensuring they’re prepared for any challenge.

7. Boosting Math Confidence for Success
Math confidence is essential for success in high school math and beyond. Mathnasium not only improves math proficiency but also focuses on boosting students' confidence, empowering them to approach advanced math topics with a positive mindset and excel in their coursework.

Click here to learn more about how we help our high school math students.

Mathnasium instructors are high school math experts because they have the knowledge and experience to help students master advanced math topics like algebra, calculus, and geometry. Their personalized approach ensures students get the math help they need to succeed in high school and test prep for college, setting them up for lifelong success in math!

Middle School Math Experts

Mathnasium instructors are experts in middle school math tutoring because we know this stage is crucial in building a strong foundation for future success in high school math and beyond. Here’s why our expertise is essential:

1. Bridging Gaps in Math Learning
Middle school math acts as a bridge between elementary concepts and more advanced topics like algebra, geometry, and pre-calculus. There is a strong focus on important concepts such as solving equations, working with variables, and understanding ratios. Mathnasium instructors help identify and address gaps in math skills, ensuring students are well-prepared for high school math.

2. Developing Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking
Problem-solving and critical thinking are essential in math. Mathnasium instructors specialize in helping students develop these skills, ensuring they can approach math problems logically and confidently. This is key to excelling in advanced math and on college entrance exams.

3. Personalized Math Help for Every Student
Mathnasium offers personalized math help to match each student’s unique learning style. Whether students need extra support with visual aids, hands-on practice, or a slower pace, Mathnasium instructors tailor their approach to meet the needs of each learner.

4. Addressing Common Struggles in Middle School Math
Many students face challenges in middle school math, such as working with fractions, negative numbers, and basic algebra. Mathnasium instructors are skilled at helping students overcome these difficulties, offering step-by-step explanations to boost math confidence and understanding.

5. Building Confidence for High School Math
A key part of middle school math tutoring is fostering math confidence. Mathnasium instructors ensure that students feel capable and confident in their math abilities, which is crucial for succeeding in high school math and beyond.

6. Support for Various Math Curricula
Whether students are following a traditional middle school math curriculum, an advanced math program, or something like Common Core Math, Mathnasium instructors provide customized support, helping students succeed in their current math class and be well-prepared for the challenges ahead.

Click here to learn more about how Mathnasium students become Middle School Math Masters!

Elementary Math Experts

Our instructors are experts at helping with elementary math topics.  The Mathnasium Method focuses on building a strong foundation in basic math skills by ensuring that students master essential concepts like addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and fractions. Mathnasium helps students develop the math proficiency they need to succeed in more advanced math as they progress.

Mathnasium instructors are trained to identify and address struggles in elementary math early on, helping students develop math confidence and a deep understanding of key concepts. Focusing on elementary math tutoring allows instructors to close gaps in knowledge and build a solid mathematical foundation for future success.

The Mathnasium approach doesn’t just teach students the "how" of math, but also the "why," helping them to avoid common misconceptions that can hinder their progress. This early intervention ensures that students are well-prepared for higher-level math.

By prioritizing math help at the elementary level, Mathnasium provides the essential tools to boost confidence and improve math skills, setting students up for lifelong success in math!

Click here to learn more about our unique Mathnasium Method!

• Mathnasium instructors specialize in elementary math tutoring

• We focus on building a strong foundation in basic math skills

• Mathnasium Instructors are trained to identify struggles and improve math confidence

• The Mathnasium Method helps close knowledge gaps, ensuring students are prepared for advanced math

• Mathnasium teaches both the "how" and the "why" of math to avoid misconceptions

• Early math intervention supports lifelong success in math

Experts in Math, ANY Math!