Our Team at Mathnasium of Encino

Hanishka

Hanishka is a high school junior whose favorite classes have always been math-based. She plans to study business in college and enjoys working with students and helping them build confidence in the subject. In her free time, she loves spending time with family and friends, traveling, and going to the beach. 

At Mathnasium, Hanishka brings a warm, encouraging presence and a genuine investment in each student's progress. 

Brian Hood

Brian Hood is a Regional Director at Mathnasium and has a passion for helping young minds excel on their academic journeys. A native Virginian, Brian ventured to Singapore after graduating from university to pursue a Masters Degree in Dramatic Writing from NYU Tisch School of the Arts. While there, he also discovered a joy for teaching while working with local students to improve their English and Creative Writing skills. After graduating, Brian moved to Los Angeles where he worked extensively in the educational field, including extended time as a private tutor, program coordinator, and Center Director of a prominent educational center. Brian is an extremely enthusiastic, optimistic, and driven individual who delights in seeing students learn and grow academically and strives to make their learning as fun and engaging as possible. In his spare time, he loves eating the most delicious food LA has to offer, collecting retro videogames, and exploring museums.

Dan Saposhnik

Dan graduated from the University of Arizona in 1985 with a B.S. in Microbiology and from Hofstra University's Graduate School of Business in 1990 with an MBA in Accounting. He worked as a CPA with public accounting firm Price Waterhouse and has built successful companies in various fields including real estate and executive recruiting. Dan's passion for teaching and love for working with kids is rooted in family tradition. His mother was a highly regarded principal in Las Vegas for nearly 30 years. Dan has taught and tutored children of all ages and was a mentor for underprivileged children. Dan is committed to significantly increasing Encino children's math skills, their understanding of math concepts and their overall school performance. "We provide lots of warm encouragement in a very positive learning environment so that children build their confidence and develop a winning attitude towards math. Our kids learn math in a way that makes sense to them. They get excited about math and this spirit carries over into everything they do."

Laurie Wasser Saposhnik

Laurie graduated from UCLA in 1986 with a B.A. in Communication Studies. Before joining Mathnasium, she built a successful career working with Fortune 500 high-tech companies, including IBM, SAP, EMC, TIBCO, and MicroStrategy.
Laurie’s passion for teaching and working with children is deeply rooted in her family values. Her father, a dedicated special education teacher, spent over 30 years shaping young minds in California. Following in his footsteps, Laurie is committed to empowering children in the Las Vegas community by improving their math skills, fostering a strong understanding of mathematical concepts, and building their confidence to succeed academically.
In addition to her work at Mathnasium, Laurie volunteers as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), where she advocates for the best interests of children in foster care. This role reflects her dedication to making a meaningful difference in the lives of children and supporting their growth and well-being.