Meet the Team at Mathnasium of Kyle

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.

Yunis Al-Saad

Yunis is a Junior attending Hays High School. He has always liked math and want to help those that struggle with it.

Favorite number: 0 - because it is the only neutral number. In math and science, 0 has some interesting properties.

Favorite math joke: Why did the obtuse angle go to the beach? Because it was over 90 degrees!

In five years, I will be: In college attending at UT in computer science. I also hope to continue teaching math to those that struggle with it.

I love Mathnasium because: It allows students to identify their gaps in mathematics and allows them to fill it in with excellent instructors.

Jackie Miller

Jackie is a mechanical engineering major from Texas State University. She enjoys being outdoors, reading and listening to music.

Favorite number: 17, because I think it’s interesting that it’s square root is 4.123.

Favorite math joke: How do we know that the fractions x/c, y/c, and z/c, are European? They’re all over seas!

In five years, I will be: Hopefully graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering. I would really like an entry level job in avionics or aerospace with Lockheed Martin or Boeing.

I love Mathnasium because: I’ve been lucky enough to see the program work and personally feel a large shift in how I view and enjoy math.

Elizabeth Yancy

Elizabeth is currently a student at Texas State University. She is majoring in Applied Mathematics and minoring in Forensic Psychology.

Favorite number: 3, for no specific reason, it’s just always been my favorite!

Favorite math joke: Parallel lines make me sad. They have so much in common but they never meet.

In five years, I will be: Hopefully, graduated from college and starting my career.

I love Mathnasium because: It makes math fun!

Phillip Hansen

Phillip is an engineering student at Texas State who loves video games and watching movies.

Favorite number: Pi, it goes on forever and is used your whole math career

Favorite math joke: How do you make 7 even? Subtract the s!

In five years, I will be: An electronics engineer.

I love Mathnasium because: Helping someone learn math is something I relate to and I’d never be able to do what I do without the help of others

London Mendoza

London is a soon to be senior who is at the top of her class and is a part of her high school's chapter of National Honor Society. She plays varsity soccer and powerlifting, gaining wide recognition for both. She loves reading, writing, working out, and being outdoors.

Favorite number: 5 because it is easy to multiply and divide with and its been my jersey number since I was 5 years old!

Favorite math joke: I saw my math teacher with graphing paper the other day. She must be plotting something.

In five years, I will be: I will be finishing up my undergraduate degree in Oregon and further exploring higher education in Psychology.

I love Mathnasium because: I can help kids who may not come about understanding math as easily others and motivate them to overcome their struggle.

Nguyen "Bucky" Le

Nguyen is a student at the University of Texas at Austin pursuing a Bachelor of Education, major in Youth and Community Studies. He loves cooking and traveling. He has an outgoing and gentle personality.

Favorite number: 7 because it's considered lucky in many cultures, and it's also prime, which adds a bit of uniqueness to it.

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

In five years, I will be: I will be closer to achieving my goals, wiser from the experiences I've gained, graduated with the Bachelor degree and maybe pursuing a Master degree.

I love Mathnasium because: It is incredibly rewarding to see the confidence grow in students.

McCrea Black

McCrea is a recent graduate from Texas State University. He graduated with a B.S. in mathematics and a minor in physics. He is the oldest of 5 brothers and has been helping them learn math for years. Other than math, his interests include chess, football, long-distance running, and Pokémon.

Favorite number: My favorite number is e. It is approximately 2.7, and it is very cool because it is transcendental and keeps popping up where you'd least expect it.

Favorite math joke: What do you call someone who reads a paper on category theory? A coauthor!

In five years, I will be: Hopefully, I will have graduated with a Ph.D. in math and will be working as a professor or mathematician.

I love Mathnasium because: I love seeing the different ways that kids solve problems and the look of excitement when someone figures out a difficult problem. Mathnasium is a great place to see that excitement happen.

Natalie Bahr

Natalie is an Algebra I teacher at a high school in Lockhart, TX, where she lives with her cats. She loves to do puzzles, read, or hike in her free time. Natalie loves to teach math because of the "light bulb" moments her students have along the way!

Favorite number: 8, It has a symmetrical shape, and you can turn it sideways and it becomes infinity!

Favorite math joke: I'll do algebra, I'll do trig, and I'll even do statistics! But graphing is where I draw the line.

In five years, I will be: Teaching higher levels of secondary math, or pursuing a role as a data analyst. (I have realized along the way that I love data as much as I love algebra!)

I love Mathnasium because: Mathnasium introduces students to fundamental skills in new ways, so that students can grow in confidence and find success!