Our Team at Mathnasium of Hayward

Athena Wu

Athena is co-owner of Mathnasium of Hayward and a Principal Software Engineer at Oracle with more than 12 years of experience. She holds a B.S. and M.S. in Computer Engineering from San Jose State University and previously worked at Synopsys. Her love of math led her to support her husband Gabe in opening the center. 

Athena believes deeply in Mathnasium’s mission to make math make sense for kids. As a mother of two, she values the opportunity to help children build strong math skills and confidence. In her free time, she enjoys ballroom dancing and practicing yoga. 

Helen Truong

Helen holds a B.S. in Biology with a minor in Marketing from UC Riverside. Struggling with math early on, she credits a dedicated tutor with helping her gain confidence and succeed in AP Calculus. That transformation inspired her to help other students experience the same breakthrough. 

Helen is passionate about creating a learning environment where students feel encouraged and supported. She wants every child to know that with the right guidance, they can succeed in math. Outside of work, Helen enjoys music and scenic drives. 

Sahil Gupta

Sahil is a Finance major at CSU East Bay and serves as both a lead instructor and teaching assistant. He works with high school and college students, providing personalized support that builds understanding and confidence. Once a student who struggled with math, Sahil is driven to help others see that it’s possible and rewarding to overcome those hurdles. 

At Mathnasium, he focuses on making concepts approachable and engaging. Outside the center, Sahil enjoys basketball, hiking, and working out. 

Hannah Ashkenasy

Hannah is majoring in Mathematics and brings prior tutoring experience from Chabot College. Once a student who disliked math, she discovered a love for it when a college professor explained concepts in a way that truly clicked. That shift fuels her commitment to helping students find clarity and joy in learning. 

Hannah aspires to become a math teacher and believes every student can succeed when taught in a way that makes sense to them. In her free time, she enjoys drawing, crocheting, and identifying wildlife. 

Joyce Tsai

Joyce has graduated from UC Irvine with a Bachelors in Pharmaceutical Sciences in '23. She has worked as a high school AVID tutor who specialized in math and has volunteered as a Mandarin tutor for foreign elementary school students. Joyce has struggled with math in the past, but through proper teaching methods, has made math her strongest subject today. She understands the feeling of discouragement when one does not understand a math problem, so she wants to help students that are struggling like she did before. In her free time, Joyce enjoys baking and learning new dance choreographies.

Giselle Gonzalez

Giselle is a third year student at San Jose State University majoring in Biological Sciences. Growing up she always found herself doing better in math and science than any other subject. When she switched from Public Shool to Montessori School she found her calling, her passion for teaching. She finds joy in helping others learn and succeed. In her free time Giselle enjoys baking and going on walks.

Dana Smith

Dana Smith is a graduate of Georgia State University, she has worked as a tutor for several years and also as an instructor for the International Charter School of Atlanta in Roswell, GA. She has always had a passion for bonding with young people, beginning from her early days working in youth ministry. She recognizes the necessity for critical thinking in society at large and believes that excelling in math is one of the greatest building blocks for it. She has recently started up her own business, Etopia Media, Inc., a social enterprise focused on improving youth literacy. In her spare time, Dana loves to read, write, and play guitar.

Emily Ngo

Emily is a former student of Mathnasium where she felt her educational career was enhanced and her study habits strengthened. She developed a sense of fulfillment and confidence within herself that has motivated her to impart the sense of gratification on the youth. As an instructor, she is passionate about uplifting and encouraging students in becoming successful. She acknowledges the importance of what strong comprehension holds for future success and is keen on facilitating an environment for students to excel and develop a sense of love for learning. In her free time, Emily enjoys watching movies and spending time outdoors with her family and friends.

Emily Tong

Emily is currently at Chabot College majoring in Business Administration and Data Science. She is now working on her transfer application and her goal for this academic year is to earn an Associate Degree for Transfer in Mathematics, Business Administration, and Economics. Since a young age, she has already taken the role of assisting her younger sister in math. Beyond that, she extended her support to friends and classmates, both within and outside the classroom. As she witnesses their improvements over time, Emily is motivated to assist more students who strive to strengthen their math skills. In her spare time, Emily likes to play basketball and piano.