Meet the Team at Mathnasium of Commack

Nick Hager

My name is Nicholas Hager and I am a graduate student at the University at Buffalo studying mathematics education. I recently graduated with a bachelor's degree in mathematics from UB. I attended Lindenhurst Senior High School and enjoy being back on Long Island during breaks. I love helping students gain the confidence to succeed in math and seeing their accomplishments. In my free time I like running, hiking and being in nature..

Key Career Achievements:

"Valedictorian of the Lindenhurst Senior High School class of 2019 Outstanding senior for the mathematics department at the University at Buffalo Recipient of the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship"

Fun Fact about you

I can jump rope on a pogo stick.

Favorite Math Joke

"Why should you never talk to pi? Because she’ll just go on forever!"

Alyssa Pascale

Alyssa is a high honor roll student at Commack High School where math is her favorite subject. She has been on an accelerated math track since primary school when she began working 2 years ahead of grade level. Alyssa is thrilled to have the opportunity at Mathnasium to help other students really get a handle on troublesome math concepts. She loves knowing that she is making a contribution within her community.

Key Achievements

"Perfect score of 1520 on PSAT/NMSQT Long Island Math Fair Gold Medal award winner Awarded Outstanding Math Student of the Year in Middle School Member of the High School Varsity Math team while still in Middle School Achieved scores of 100 on Geometry and Chemistry NYS Regents exams AP Scholar"

Fun Fact about you

"She loves to draw and even worked as a staff artist for Kidsday, is an accomplished pianist, and has a black belt in Tae Kwon Do."

Favorite Math Joke

Not all math puns are terrible, just sum.

Jorge Soto

Bachelors degrees in Accounting, and Psychology with minor in biology. Lifelong lover of STEM and a continuing passion for learning and teaching.

Key Achievements

Currently business administrator with Huntington School District. Strong background in accounting and finance.

Fun Fact about you

Love chess tournament play -- and I run my own club at my local library. Also, enjoy other board gaming as well -- especially monopoly!

Favorite Math Joke

Honestly, can only think of a quote, "...but to myself I seem to have been only like a boy playing on the seashore...whilst the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before me." - Newton

Savvy Dusad

I am a high school junior at Hauppauge High School and math is my favorite subject. I enjoy tutoring and working with kids in all subjects, but especially math. I am involved in several math and science based extracurriculars at school. I love helping other students gain more confidence in their math skills. I hope to pass on my knowledge of math to help as many students as possible.

Fun Fact about you

I have been a swimmer and dancer for my whole life. In my free time I also like to paint and draw.

Ken Tiu

Ken opened the first Mathnasium center in the state of New York in 2007. He has a background in business and science education.
All through high school and college Ken traveled and competed in windsurfing events around the country. After college he worked in the action sports industry while obtaining a masters degree in education. Ken taught middle and high school physics for 9 years and ran a successful competitive robotics team. In 2007 he was named the Suffolk County Science Teacher of the year.
Ken believes that a strong background in math is essential to be competitive in the global marketplace. If the US is to keep its competitive edge as a world innovator it must commit to improving math and science literacy among its population. Math is a challenging subject to teach to large groups of students since people think and work at different paces.
Mathnasium allows students to work at their own pace in a low pressure environment with individualized help.
Ken's wifeAmy, also an educator, assists in running the center. She has taught children of all ages since 1993. In her spare time she volunteers for the Guide Dog Foundation as a puppy walker, fundraiser, and speaker. Ken and Amy welcome the opportunity to help the children in the Commack community develop the skills and confidence needed to succeed.
Whether students are struggling, advanced, or anywhere in between Mathnasium will deliver results!!!

Alex Ofgang

Hey, I’m Alex. I’m currently a senior at Hauppauge High school. I have a sister and a twin brother. The only sport I play competitively is baseball but I love to play really any sport; football, basketball, tennis, table tennis, and spikeball are all sports I play with friends and family in my free time.
Other hobbies I have include, math, weight lifting, and card games. I’m a big believer that in terms of success, hard work and dedication beats natural talent and intelligence.
Key Achievements
RIT Math and Science Award
Ranked 6th in my graduating class (GPA)
Scholar Athlete Award
AP Scholar with Distinction Award
790 math SAT
Participated in 3 math competitions
Scored highest in my middle school on ASMA contests
Inducted into and active member of 6 honor societies including NHS
Accepted into top ranked Applied Mathematics and Statistics program at Stony Brook University
Fun Fact
I am a big New York Yankees fan.

Favorite Math Joke
Why do plants hate math? Because it gives them square roots.

Max Ofang

I am a senior at Hauppauge High School with aspirations to pursue a career in the field of mathematics. I am passionate about helping students gain confidence in math through Mathnasium and community service. Outside of my efforts at school and work, I am dedicated to fitness and sports.

Key Achievements

100% on Algebra II NYS Regents 100% final average in Honors Geometry 790 SAT math score 35 ACT math score Perfect 720/720 PSAT 8/9 math score AP Scholar with Distinction Award NYSPHSAA Scholar Athlete Award Ranked 4/286 in graduating class (GPA)

Fun Fact about you

I can solve a Rubik’s cube in 30 seconds.

Favorite Math Joke

You know what seems odd to me? Numbers that can’t be divided by 2

Nicole G

Hi everyone! I am currently a high school student at Smithtown West, and I am very passionate about teaching and tutoring. I have been an AP biology tutor for about a year now and have shadowed top professors at both Stony Brook and Northeastern University. I feel that teaching the next generation is very imperative, and I hope to keep teaching children math at Mathnasium.

Key Achievements

Established an organization known as Renewed Reviews  
Placed in the regional air trajectory competition 
Shadowed multiple professors on their teaching capabilities at both Stony Brook and Northeastern University 
Tutor AP Biology and Chemistry 
Business Organization Regional Winner 

Fun Fact about you

I own two dogs and I'm very much a dog person

Favorite Math Joke

Dear Math go to a therapist and solve your own problems

Zoe A

HI! I'm Zoe and I'm a freshman at Stevens Institute of Technology, intending on majoring in Chemical Engineering with a minor in Computer Science, and I am currently taking a semester off. I graduated from Northport High School in 2023, completing my school's two years-accelerated math course, excelling in my school's Academy of Information Technology program, focused on computer science, and participating in numerous honor societies, as well as two varsity sports. I also love music and have played classical piano and cello since elementary school. I started being a volunteer tutor for math in middle school, continued volunteer and private sessions into high school, and I plan to tutor throughout college.

Key Achievements

VP of Academy of Information Technology at Northport High School
AP Scholar with Honor
Outstanding Achievement Award in AP Computer Science A and Cybersecurity
96+ on Level 6 NYSSMA pieces for Piano
Pinnacle Scholar at Stevens Institute of Technology"

Fun Fact about you

I was a National Spelling Bee Regionalist in Middle School

Favorite Math Joke

4 out of 3 people struggle with math.