Our staff is built to teach each student individually, to develop the skills they need to thrive in mathematics, and to foster a love of learning.

Jennifer Speer

Owner

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

Creator of the Mathnasium Method
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.

Syon Aggarwal

Instructor

Syon is a high school student at Johnston. He is always looking forward to learn and try new things. He has always been into math from a young age. Syon is a part of numerous extracurricular activities and clubs. When he is not working or studying, he enjoys coding, playing basketball, running and spending time with his family.

Favorite number: 19. It’s my lucky number and the jersey number I wear for sports.

Favorite math joke: Why do plants hate math? Because it gives them square roots!

In five years, I will be: Graduated high school and starting my college career.

I love Mathnasium because: I was a student here and I learned so much! It’s a fun learning environment for everyone. I love to show kids how fun and interesting math can be.

Vye Nayaka

Instructor

Vye Nayaka is currently a high school student at Waukee Northwest High School. She is involved in many activities including wrestling, mock trial, and so much more! She is very passionate about helping people of all ages and loves to spread her knowledge to the world!

Favorite number: 97 because it is the only prime number in the 90's and 9 and 7 have always been lucky to me!

Favorite math joke: PLAN = (P+L)(A+N)= PA+PN+LA+LN Your Plan has been foiled!

In five years, I will be: In college studying Psychology to become a lawyer.

I love Mathnasium because: It allows kids to reach their full potential in their math skills!

Noah Olsen-Daniel

Instructor

Noah is a junior at Dowling Catholic High School in West Des Moines, Iowa. He was originally born in Vietnam, but was adopted and raised in Iowa. He hopes to go to college and study the physical sciences, and then pursue a graduate degree. In his free time, Noah can be found drawing and doodling on any piece of paper he can get his hands on.

Favorite number: 3­- the amount of siblings and I have and a common number in all forms of media.

Favorite math joke: A pig without Pi is 9.80

In five years, I will be:Attending college, probably (and preferably) studying a physical science such as chemistry or physics.

I love Mathnasium because: It expands the concepts of math beyond what might be a suffocating classroom environment in order to teach kids to truly understand math and what makes it so interesting.

Owen Ferguson

Instructor

Owen is a senior at Johnston High School, where he is involved in the Math and Music departments. He loves singing, diving into varied history topics, and learning about different fields within math. He plans to major in Mathematics in college next year, hoping to go either into education or statistics.

Favorite number: 8 - It's a perfect cube, it doesn't get a lot of attention in everyday life, and it's satisfying to write.

Favorite math joke: Teacher: Why are you turning in a blank sheet of paper? Student: Because all my answers are imaginary numbers!

In five years, I will be: Graduated from college, ready to use my math degree in a multitude of possible careers!

I love Mathnasium because: Everyone here wants to see you succeed with math. Building confidence and helping cultivate a love of learning and exploration with math can make a big difference in one's life, and Mathnasium is here to do just that.

Eli Drewry

Instructor

Eli is a student at Johnston High School. He has always been interested in math and enjoys the challenge of learning and applying new concepts. In his free time, Eli enjoys spending time with his friends, traveling with his family, and playing with his three energetic Boston Terriers!

Favorite number: 11: prime number, palindrome, make wishes when the clock reads 11:11!

Favorite math joke: How do you keep warm in a cold room? You go to the corner because it’s always 90 degrees.

In five years, I will be: In college studying a math related major.

I love Mathnasium because: We help people build confidence and enjoy math!

Alan Qi

Instructor

Alan is currently a high school student at Johnston. He loves trying new things and stepping outside of his comfort zone. He is an avid all things school person, involved in activities including Band, Speech & Debate, and TSA. Math has always been a passion for Alan, and he enjoys the feeling of discovery that it provides as a challenging problem or a new concept is finally grasped. He has placed first at Academic Decathlon in math and has plans to continue improving in math.

Favorite number: 5. It's a number that's seen pretty much all over the place. It's also quite easy to work with, and one glance at the last digit of any number can confirm whether or not 5 is a factor.

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

In five years, I will be: Working on a specific degree at a specific college in a specific place in the world, continuing to explore ways to apply my skills in the future!

I love Mathnasium because:The growth that comes from the program is truly inspiring. I love the experience when that topic finally clicks, and appreciate the emphasis on conceptual understanding over memorization.

Sarah Mihm

Instructor

Sarah is currently an environmental engineer at the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Sarah went to Iowa State University and graduated in 2017 with two Bachelor's degrees in Industrial Engineering and Sociology. Sarah was a camp counselor throughout college and loves working with kids of all ages.

Favorite number: 11. Two ones is better than one.

Favorite math joke: Why won't Goldilocks drink a glass of water with 8 pieces of ice? It's too cubed.

In five years, I will be: Hopefully living abroad.

I love Mathnasium because: I like encouraging young minds to be proficient in math. Math is used in so many aspects of life and it's helpful to know the tips and tricks to make life easier.

Swara Ketkar

Instructor

Swara is a junior at Waukee Northwest Highschool, she is involved in a lot of activities including World Cultures club, Nation Honors Society and marching band. She loves the color pink and her favorite subjects are math and science!

Favorite number: 13, I love prime numbers!

Favorite math joke: How to you make seven, even? You subtract the "s"

In five years, I will be: In my first year of dental school!

I love Mathnasium because: I love working with kids and making math easy to understand for as many people as I can!

Riley Wilson

Instructor

Riley is a junior at Drake University studying Secondary Special Education with a concentration in Developmental Psychology. He enjoys reading, music, and cooking for his friends and family. For fun, Riley plays Dungeons & Dragons and can often be found drinking a hot mocha. He loves wintertime and is an advocate for disability rights.

Favorite number: 96; IDK why, but it's satisfying.

Favorite math joke: A dozen, a gross, and a score, Plus three times the square root of four, Divided by seven, Plus five times eleven, Is nine squared and not a bit more.

In five years, I will be: A college graduate teaching exceptional learners back home in Minnesota.

I love Mathnasium because: I appreciate any environment that welcomes learners of all levels seeking enrichment and challenge.

Gabriela La Rota

Instructor

Gabriela is a senior at Johnston High School. She’s lived in Johnston for most of her life, but her family is from Brazil and Colombia and she loves to visit both countries in the summer. Gabriela enjoys cooking different ethnic recipes, listening to music, and rock climbing.

Favorite number: 13! This is because it's the day of both my sister and father’s birthday. You also don’t see 13 very often in math which I think is pretty neat.

Favorite math joke: Two random variables were chatting across the room. They thought they were being discrete but I heard them continuously.

In five years, I will be: Finishing my bachelors in Biochemistry, and hopefully getting ready to go to grad school at my dream school!

I love Mathnasium because: I love helping kids learn to enjoy math. The community at Mathnasium is really welcoming and it's a great environment to be in!

Our Mathnasium Mission

Teach children math so they understand it, master it, and love it. Math can change their lives, and they can change the world.

What I love about Mathnasium is the ability to teach problem-solving skills and make math make sense, while also making a student smile.
Amber W., Mathnasium Instructor

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