Meet the Team at Mathnasium of Lakeland Highlands

Kimberly McKinney

Kimberly McKinney is an experienced educator with a Master of Arts in Education and certification in Elementary Education K-6. With 10 years of classroom experience, she has worked with students ranging from pre-K to high school. Kimberly's dedication to teaching mathematics and instilling confidence in her students' capabilities is evident in her commitment to creating a supportive learning environment. In addition, her own children's accomplishments, with one earning a master's degree and the other excelling in her senior year of high school, showcase her commitment to academic excellence. Overall, Kimberly's extensive experience, expertise in teaching mathematics, and unique perspective as a parent make her a highly respected and valuable educator in Polk County.

Carolina Miranda

Carolina, a senior at Lakeland Christian School, is a dedicated math student with a passion for teaching. Having previously attended Mathnasium, she has developed a strong foundation in mathematics and aims to pursue a career in aerospace. In addition to taking AP Pre Calculus and statistics, she is enrolled in AP Physics. Carolina recently participated in Camp Yellow's International Math Competition, where she placed 106th out of 1,600 contestants. Inspired by her father, who has been her patient math tutor since childhood, she aspires to help others by answering their math queries. Carolina's love for teaching and mathematics drives her to share her enthusiasm with fellow students, making math an exciting and enjoyable subject for all.

Shail Patel

Shail holds a degree in computer engineering and has a strong background in software engineering. With experience in the software industry, he brings practical insights and real-world applications to math instruction. Passionate about making math accessible and enjoyable, Shail is dedicated to helping students reach their full potential in a supportive environment.

Danielle Howell

Danielle, a junior at Bartow High School’s International Baccalaureate program, is passionate about sharing her love for mathematics with students. She earned a perfect score on the PSAT math section in her sophomore year and has a strong background in competitive math, having placed in the top 10 in her middle school chapter’s MathCounts competition. As President of her school’s Mu Alpha Theta club, Danielle is committed to reviving their chapter and providing competitive math opportunities for like-minded math enthusiasts. With a strong foundation in math and science, Danielle is preparing to pursue a career in Biomedical Engineering, taking courses such as AP Calculus AB. At Mathnasium, Danielle looks forward to sharing her knowledge and enthusiasm with students and helping them overcome math obstacles while building their confidence in math.

Sumi Muthiah

Sumi, a rising senior in the International Baccalaureate program, has scored a 5 on AP Calc AB and Stats along with scoring in the top 10% of the IB Math A & A Exam. She also plans on pursuing AP Physics and AP Calc BC, because of her strong passion for math. Not only is she president of her school's ReSoap club, but she also started the chapter at her school to ensure that kids around the world are equipped with hygiene kits and necessary resources. She has a desire to pursue a degree in Nutrition at the University of Florida, and become a pediatrician later in her career. Her goal is to be able to help every Mathnasium student achieve their potential and their goals.

Jaxon Hatcher

Cooper Jenks

Cooper is a Junior in the International Baccalaureate program, currently taking AP Calculus AB and AP Physics. Cooper scored a 5 on his AP Statistics exam and is within the top 10 of his class in GPA. He has a strong passion for math and science, as he aspires to pursue a career in Engineering, with a particular interest in Biomedical Engineering. Cooper participates in extracurriculars that stimulate his brain, including being an avid member on his school's chess team and Academic team. His goal is to help Mathnasium students excel in their math studies while developing good habits and a love for learning math.

Lindiwe Collins

Lindiwe is a Junior in the International Baccalaureate program, taking AP Calculus AB and AP chemistry. Lindiwe hopes to contribute to a fun and productive environment at Mathnasium. She aims to use what she has learned in school to help others excel at math.

Sahasra Jasti

Yasmine Lakhouaja

Yasmine Lakhouaja, a senior in Bartow High School’s International Baccalaureate program, is passionate about sharing her love for mathematics with students. Currently taking AP Calculus BC and AP Physics, Yasmine enjoys tackling challenging math concepts and helping others understand them. She is the President of Med4You, a healthcare-focused club at her school that hosts monthly guest speakers and organizes activities for different awareness months, fostering interest in medical careers among her peers. Alongside her academic and leadership pursuits, Yasmine volunteers at Lakeland Regional Health, where she has gained valuable experience and strengthened her dedication to pursuing a career in medicine. Yasmine loves working with kids and is committed to helping Mathnasium students build their confidence, overcome challenges, and discover the joy of learning math.

Stephanie Latraverse

Stephanie is a junior at Florida Southern College, majoring in Marine Biology, with a strong academic foundation from her high school years, where she primarily took AP and honors classes. With a background in teaching zoology to people of all ages, Stephanie brings enthusiasm and a passion for helping others learn. As a math tutor, she focuses on creating a supportive and engaging environment where students can develop a deep understanding of key concepts, strengthen their problem-solving skills, and build confidence.