Meet the Team at Mathnasium of Encino Park

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 a successful business for over 10 years in the Brazos Valley alongside her husband James.

After finding Mathnasium and seeing what it can offer kids, they made a tough decision to sell their successful business with its comfortable lifestyle and start all over again. As scary as that sounds, they knew that parents in the Brazos Valley wanted the best for their children at an affordable price. There was already so much available for the many college students in Bryan/College Station, but not for elementary, middle, and high school students. Now, after being open for several years and expanding to multiple locations, we have hundreds of amazing success stories as a result of our passionate instructors, inspiring learning environment, teaching style and curriculum at Mathnasium! Let us help your student! 

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 curriculas 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.

Jeffrey Brown

Jeffrey is a Process Engineer. He has a patent on producing levulenic acid.

Favorite number: 17 ­my baseball number.

Favorite math joke: What is 2 + 2? It is not anything you want it to be.

In five years, I will be: I will be Retired.

I love Mathnasium because: I thoroughly enjoy teaching the brightest students in San Antonio.

Andrew Marcroft

Andrew is currently a senior at Johnson High School. He grew up in Minnesota and luckily ended up in San Antonio, Texas. Andrew likes exploring the city with his friends by trying new foods and embarking on new adventures.

Favorite number: My favorite number has to be 12 because when I was a kid that was always my desk and cubby number.

Favorite math joke: Why was the math book sad? Because it had too many problems!

In five years, I will be: Graduating from UT Austin with a degree in chemical engineering. I will have just gotten my first real job at a major engineering firm and start working hard to support myself.

I love Mathnasium because: They understand the struggle of learning math and are able to use their methods to simplify seemingly impossible questions. They create an environment where students don't fear advancing to harder levels which is something I wish I had when I was first learning math.

Sage Vantine

Sage is a student at St. Mary's University in San Antonio studying Mathematics and minoring in Computer Science. In her free time, she enjoys reading, drawing, and discovering new music.

Favorite number: 3, it's odd and you can do a lot with it.

Favorite math joke: Are monsters good at math? Not unless you Count Dracula!

In five years, I will be: Attending graduate school.

I love Mathnasium because: It allows kids the room to really understand and find a passion for math!

Anvi Komatreddy

Anvi Komatreddy is currently a 16­ year­ old junior in high school aspiring to go into the finance/data analysis field. Outside of work, she enjoys dancing and spending time at networking events. She has always been passionate about promoting informal and STEAM education in underprivileged communities.

Favorite number: 22! It's the day I was born and I was born on my dad's birthday. I share a birthday with my dad which has always made 22 my lucky number!

Favorite math joke: Why was the Algebra textbook sad? It had too many problems.

In five years, I will be: Hopefully at UT Austin studying finance!

I love Mathnasium because: I love the idea of making such a tedious subject fun and easy to understand for kids and tutoring younger kids is something I truly enjoy!

Cassidy Kercsmar

I am a senior at Johnson High School and I am part of the Johnson Varsity Choir. My favorite subjects are biology and algebra. In my free time, I like to play the piano, cook, watch movies, and go on walks.

Favorite number: The number 10 because it’s the month I was born in, it’s the square root of 100, and it’s the name of one of my favorite Pearl Jam albums.

Favorite math joke: A nose can’t be 12 inches long, because then it would be a foot!

In five years, I will be: Studying biostatistics at a university and working in a research lab.

I love Mathnasium because: It helps kids to understand and enjoy math so that they can be successful and happy in whatever they decide to pursue.

Logan Slone

Logan is a student at the School of Science and Technology. He loves mathematics and currently has a GPA of 4.55. He additionally loves exercising, finding new experiences, and interacting with people. he enjoys practicing Piano in his free time.

Favorite number: 25, because it is funnier than 24.

Favorite math joke: When you keep missing math class it starts to really add up.

In five years, I will be: Attending college hopefully at the Air Force Academy going towards a degree in Physical Therapy.

I love Mathnasium because: The ability it has to help children who struggle with math succeed.

Leslie Merrell

Leslie graduated from LeTourneau University in 2002 with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies ­ Mathematics and a Texas Teaching License for 6th­-12th grade Mathematics. She has taught in public and private schools in Texas, Indiana, and Prague, Czech Republic, over the course of 14 years. Leslie has also done administrative work in both non­profit and for profit settings.

Favorite number: 8 since it comes up a few places in my birthday.

Favorite math joke: How are a dollar and the moon similar? They both have four quarters.

In five years, I will be: Continuing to encourage and support young people in their understanding of mathematics.

I love Mathnasium because: Their systems and interactions reach each student exactly where they are at and builds solid understanding into their minds.

Aanya Reddy

Aanya is in High School and will be in the graduating class of 2026.

Favorite number: Three because three sides and three angles are properties of a triangle. Triangles are one of the strongest geometric shapes which makes the number and shape unique.

Favorite math joke: Do you know the special trick to turn seven into an even number? Remove the s! Once there was a hen who counted her own eggs. She was a mathemachicken!

In five years, I will be: In my Junior year of College, studying medicine.

I love Mathnasium because: It made doing math so much more fun! I was able to find my passion for math by enrolling at Mathnasium when I was younger

Sumin Seo

<p>Sumin is a senior at BASIS Shavano Campus anticipating to major in education as well as material science and engineering. She is also a math and science tutor at her school and truly enjoys the interactions with the students. In her free time, she loves to be with friends and watch Korean dramas or shows. </p>

<p><strong>Favorite number:</strong> 6, because it is evenly divided into the same odd number!</p>

<p><strong>Favorite math joke:</strong> 6 was scared of 7 because 7,8,9... But why did 7 eat 9?</p>

<p><strong>In five years, I will be:</strong> Pursuing a master's degree or participating in internships.</p>

<p><strong>I love Mathnasium because:</strong> Mathnasium provides a group interaction that I truly love. It is the place where I can pursue my dream of educator.</p>