Meet the Team at Mathnasium of Farmington

Nicole Hatch

I have taken Math 1050, Math 2010/2020 (Math for Elementary Education), and Social Statistics. I took guitar lessons through high school and I graduated from Snow College and Utah State University with honors. I tutored Math 1050 and below to college students at Snow College for 2 years. I was a preschool teacher on and off for 3 years. I was a director of a before and after school program for K-6 graders. I helped them with homework, activities, and creating a safe place for them after school. I like to play the guitar and I love watching movies and tv shows. I love doing all sorts of crafts like crocheting, friendship bracelets, sewing, etc.

Fun Fact: I am left handed. I am the youngest in my family. I love to travel.

Favorite Number: 22. I was born on the 22nd

Education: I graduated from Utah State with a Major in Sociology and a Minor in Human and Family Development.

Why I love Mathnasium: I love math and I love working with kids. It is the perfect combination of those two things!

Kassidy Shumway

Kassidy Shumway grew up in Bountiful, Utah, and graduated from Brigham Young University in 2011. While at BYU, Kassidy earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering, was a TA in the math department, and also found time to be an All-American and a team captain and member of the BYU Women's Soccer Team. Kassidy has many years of experience coaching children of all ages in soccer. She has been helping students at Mathnasium since January 2013. Kassidy and her husband have two kids and two active dogs.

Fun Fact: Is in a video on YouTube with over 6 million views

Education: Bachelor of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering from BYU

Why I love Mathnasium: I love helping kids realize that math can be fun. The favorite part of my job is going into elementary schools and putting on Math Nights. Laughing and having fun with kids while we do math is so rewarding!

Reed Brown

Reed has always loved math and enjoys helping kids learn to love math and how to use math in their daily lives. Reed earned a BS of Electrical Engineering degree from Brigham Young University and a Masters of Business Administration degree at Boise State University. Reed has spent over 25 years as a successful engineering and operations executive at Hewlett Packard, Quantum, and Iomega. In 2004, he decided to test his entrepreneurial skills and created Matchbin (now Radiate Media), a successful internet software company. Over the last 10 years, Reed has been active in the Utah technology community. As a member of the Governor's Technology Initiative Advisory Board for the State of Utah, he has helped to grow funding for engineering programs at Utah Universities and Colleges. Reed and his team is committed to helping children grow their interest and confidence in math and prepare them for a successful college education and career in technology, business, finance, medical, manufacturing, science, biology, or other fields that require strong math skills.

Fun Fact: Decided to become an Electrical Engineer because of 8th grade shop project making a DC motor

Education: Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from BYU and Masters of Business Administration degree from Boise State University

Kai Cruz

I've taken Calculus and Statistics. I have participated in many sports teams growing up, and currently I am a member of the University of Utah Business Scholars! I enjoy anything regarding sports, video games and travel.

Fun Fact: One fun fact about me is I am very competitive and like to be challenged!

Favorite Number: 27, It has been my lucky number my whole life!

Education: I graduated from Farmington High and am currently attending the University of Utah studying Business!

Why I love Mathnasium: I like working at Mathnasium because I get to engage with, help, and see young minds grow!

Canada Johansen

I have taken AP Calculus, Multivariable Calculus, and Linear Algebra. In high school, I was part of the robotics club and musical theater. I love to sing and act, and I perform often at Centerpoint Legacy Theatre in Centerville. I also love several types of dance, including ballet, contemporary, and aerial silks which I teach at Backstage Performing Arts. I am also a choreographer!

Fun Fact: I am half Canadian, and I love pink!

Favorite Number, why?: 16 because it's the age you have to be to get a driver's license!

Education: I started college at Utah State University where I did two years in their engineering program. I then switched to Western Governors University where I am currently finishing my degree in cybersecurity. I will be done by summer 2024!

Why I love Mathnasium: I like math! I think learning math helps you think in complex ways and it's more than just memorization. It's about solving problems which is an important life skill.

Christian Wheeler

I have a Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics from BYU, and to get this I took all the numerous math classes required for the math major. Right now I am studying Software Development at Davis Technical College and am on the National Technical Honors Society. While at BYU, I worked as a research assistant and a homework grader in the mathematics department. In High School I ran Cross Country, played Lacrosse and the trumpet in the High School Band. I enjoy running (cross country is probably my favorite sport). Sometimes I like reading books, it depends on the day and think that Marvel and DC are fun.

Fun Fact: For a personal project at school, I am making a chess game using the skills I have learned in the software development program.

Favorite Number: Pi, because it is funny.

Education: Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics from BYU. I graduated in 2020. Now I am studying Software Development at Davis Technical College in Kaysville.

Why I love Mathnasium: Because I like math. I know not everyone (or most?) people do not like math, and I get that. When I was studying the higher up math classes that I took, the concepts started getting really weird and confusing, so I didn't like it as much. I think most people don't like math because they find it weird and confusing. If I can help them understand it just a little, they might hate math a little less, and see how it can improve their education, career prospects, and their lives.

Gyana Smith

Gyana has taken AP Calculus AB and is currently taking AP Statistics. She's participated in events hosted by the Society of Women Engineers and was able to learn and create amazing things, which was a small look into the things that engineers do every day. She's also taken many math classes that have helped her learn and grow her skills! She loves math, learning, art, movies, music, animals and creating new things!

Fun Fact: I love airplanes, rockets, and outer space, so I want to become an Aerospace Engineer so that I can create new ways for space exploration.

Favorite Number: 24 because 1(24)= 24, 2(12)= 24, 3(8)= 24, 4(6)=24, and (1)(2)(3)(4)=24. They all fit so evenly.

Education: I’m a senior at Farmington High School.

Why I love Mathnasium: I’m so excited for Mathnasium because I think math is one of the most important subjects for us to know, and I’d love to be able to teach kids about it and to help them learn to love it!

Emily Olney

I have taken Secondary 1-3 math and AP Calculus BC. I played for my high school soccer team for 3 years and play club soccer for Avalanche. I also love hiking, boating, and reading.

Fun Fact: I have over 40 first cousins

Favorite Number: 8, it has been my soccer number for several years.

Education: I am currently a senior at Davis High School.

Why I love Mathnasium: I love working with kids and have always enjoyed math.

Terry Tilley

I have taken math through differential equations as requirements for engineering plus Matrix Theory as an elective. In High School, I was involved in: yearbook, newspaper, basketball, track and field, Boy’s State, and choir. I've been involved in Mining Engineering, and a management career and youth and civic groups as volunteer. I enjoy golf, reading, and running.

Fun Fact: I have lived in all four of the continental time zones of the USA.

Favorite Number: 7 because it’s a lucky number.

Education: B.S. Mining Engineering, University of Utah, 1975. MBA, University of Southern California, 2016.

Why I love Mathnasium: I enjoy working with the youngsters.

Luke Hasna

I am currently studying graduate topology and algebra as well as complex analysis at the University of Utah. I absolutely love the field of analysis, and I hope to write my thesis in it! Some of my favorite courses over the years have been Linear Algebra, Algebraic Number Theory, and Real Analysis II. I participated in Mu Alpha Theta for several years in high school. I also did dual enrollment with Stanford University Online High School for my junior and senior years in high school. There, I worked in a number theory-based math research club. I have tutored friends, classmates, and neighborhood kids in math and science for over five years before working at Mathnasium. Their levels vary between elementary school to high school to various undergraduate fields (pure math, physics, engineering, etc.) I enjoy playing a plethora of video games (Dark Souls, Counter-Strike, Noita, and more), going on camping trips with friends, and having deep conversations with people.

Fun Fact: When I was a kid, I collected all kinds of stuffed animal germ plushies. Each representing a different kind of microbe existing in the real world. They were adorable and quite informative!

Favorite Number: e aka. 2.7182818284590453… This number, given by the sum of 1/n! for n = 1,2,3,…, allows for the construction of the most important function in all of mathematics. This is e^z for complex numbers z. It carries the important property of being a “group homomorphism,” preserving the structure between the additive real numbers and the multiplicative real numbers. This is demonstrated in the identity: e^(z+w) = (e^z)(e^w). Among other things, the slope of e^z is itself, and its integral is itself too.

Education: I go to school at the University of Utah. I am a first year in graduate school stuyding pure mathematics. I graduated high school in 2022 with many dual enrollment credits, allowing me to finish my undergrad quickly.

Why I love Mathnasium: I love sharing my passion of math with other people! It is my goal to kindle similar passions in the youth through teaching!

Devin Montoya

A math class I've taken was Secondary Honors 2 which is one of my favorite classes I've ever taken; in that class, I was able to fully understand and grasp the math concepts at a deeper level. I have played tackle football from 8th-9th grade, I am in my schools Jazz band, and I'm a member of National Honors Society a group that stands on 4 key principles leadership, Service, Character and Scholarship. I also was invited to attended a youth leadership forum for medicine where we learned practical skills in situations for people like bandaging, carrying, and CPR also learned the medical pathways and ethics. I enjoy playing saxophone and relaxing and playing any game with my family, board games, sports, and video games are all fun for me to do with my family and going out with my friends.

Fun Fact: I am a fraternal twin but I like extremely similar to my twin and a lot of people think we are identical when we are actually just fraternal.

Favorite Number: 196, it is a very unique number no one else says is their favorite and also is the only number where you can't reverse it and eventually get a palindrome (A number that is the same forward and backwards) making it one of those numbers and its okay to be different from other numbers.

Education: I currently am attending Farmington High School where I am a Sophomore and I'll graduate by 2026. It is a really fun environment to be in everything is alive with color everywhere and everyone talking and socializing with each other and I would recommend anyone to go here as it has been rated one of the best schools in Utah as a whole.

Why I love Mathnasium: I like working at Mathnasium as it gives me a chance to teach something I am passionate about, Math. I want kids similar to me who seem to not get math to understand it and how there is just so much to it and one of the best subjects with how interesting it gets as you keep get to ask Why is something the way it is.

Rowan Byassee

So far, I’ve taken Honors Algebra II, AP Calculus BC and AP Statistics. I run track and field, do parkour, HOSA, swing dancing, help instruct martial arts, and I have a passion for neuroscience research and participated in the USA national brain bee, and the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) with my neuroscience research. In my free time, I love to ride a type of skateboard called a Ripstik, crochet, and draw.

Fun Fact: I’ve lived in Colorado most of my life and only moved to Utah two years ago.

Favorite Number, why?: 92 because my favorite song is 92 explorer by Post Malone

Education: I go to Farmington High school and next school year, I’ll be a senior

Why I love Mathnasium: I like helping kids become the best version of themselves

Madelyn Jensen

I was in AP BC calculus as a junior and really enjoyed it! When I entered college I was a design major and instantly missed doing math. From there I decided to swap my major to math education. Since then I have enjoyed taking more math classes especially Calc III. I ran track in High School and my favorite event was Hurdles. Now-a-days a prefer bouldering. As part of my degree, I volunteered at East High and helped students 1 on 1 in math classes. I enjoy painting and drawing. Quite the opposite of math but I have a passion for both!

Fun Fact: I love watching college football. Go Utes!

Favorite Number, why?: 16. Because it is easy to factor and square root.

Education: I graduated from Davis High in 2021. I am currently in my 4th semester at the University of Utah studying Secondary Math Education.

Why I love Mathnasium: I love math! And I want to help kids realize how smart they are! There are lots of doors that open when you understand math!

Josh Rich

I have taken up to diff eqs and linear algebra. I've been involved in Collegiate men's chorus, Bel Canto non-profit chamber choir, National Society of Leadership and Success, American Institute of Chemical Engineers, American Nuclear Society, and I've climbed several of the tallest peaks in Utah. As a chemical engineering major with extensive experience tutoring math, chemistry, and physics, I am determined to help students overcome academic roadblocks and achieve success. I have worked with Utah Valley University's community partnership department to provide private tutoring to students of all ages. Additionally, I helped design an after-school program funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, where I offered daily math homework support to students impacted by the shift to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. I also served as a dedicated math and science tutor for GEAR UP, a federal college access and readiness program. My goal is to make coursework accessible and to empower each student to thrive academically. I enjoy hiking, backpacking, geocaching, skiing, cross-stitching, and collecting.

Fun Fact: I host a podcast

Favorite Number, why?: 27, my wife's birthday

Education: Brigham Young University, University of North Dakota

Why I love Mathnasium: A beautiful tomorrow is built by the bright, young minds of today. I love being able to provide the tools they need to take on the world. I can't wait to witness the amazing things they accomplish.