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.

Larry Martinek

Creator of the Mathnasium Method

Larry has spent his entire career finding a better way to teach math. From inner city to 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 designed 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 curricula ever produced for teaching math. While Larry is not an instructor at our center in Lake St. Louis, he is a valuable asset and we can call on him to ask specific student's scenarios for guidance and advice.

Stacey Blessing

Center Director

Ms. Stacey Blessing spent the last 26 years as an elementary teacher. She attended Missouri Baptist University to receive a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. She then received a Masters degree in Elementary Math from University of Central Missouri. She has taught 4th and 5th grade for many years. She now works in the Francis Howell school district as a math interventionist K-5. In her free time, she loves to build and create with LEGOS!

Jennifer Heien

Assistant Center Director

Ms. Jennifer Heien earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical and Petroleum Refining Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado in 1997 and embarked on a 19-year career focused on chemical finishing applications, water and wastewater treatment systems, engineering consulting, and operations management across a wide spectrum of industries, including semiconductors, metal fabrication, and aerospace.  

Once her daughter started middle school, Jennifer decided to switch careers and entered the public education sector for 7 years, eventually teaching high school kids math and science.

Jennifer’s favorite number is 5,280 because it is the elevation of the city Jennifer grew up in:  Denver, Colorado.  She is also partial to the number 29, the atomic number of copper, her favorite metal to electroplate.

Nick Rogers

Lead Instructor

Nick Rogers received a Bachelor's degree in Physics from Iowa State University and a Master’s degree in Secondary Education from Morningside College. While living in Iowa, he spent 2 years teaching Math at a delinquent juvenile center as well as working at another Mathnasium location. In his free time he likes to play video games, hang out with his wife and cat, play hockey, and play Dungeon and Dragons with his friends. His favorite number is the sum of all natural numbers which is incredibly -1/12!

Rayna Classen

Instructor
Ms. Rayna Classen is a student at St. Charles Community College and is studying Biochemistry. She hopes to pursue a career in scientific research. Rayna also enjoys making music, writing, and stargazing. One fun fact about Rayna is that she collects rocks! Her favorite number is 33 because it is the atomic number of her favorite element on the periodic table. Her favorite math joke is: What do math teachers and the Backstreet Boys have in common? They both want you to tell them y!

Andy Basford

Instructor
Mr. Andy Basford started working as an in-store locksmith after his tour of duty in the US Navy. Then, he went back to school and discovered that his knack for mathematics not only helped him in locksmithing but also helped him understand things like iterations and statistics. He holds a degree in Mathematical Science from Maryville University, and his favorite number is φ (because it’s pretty much the same if you subtract it from 1 or invert it to 1/φ). Andy's flair for dad jokes, however, seem to be rather pun-ishing. One time, Andy submitted 10 puns to a dad joke contest, figuring that at least one of them would have a chance to win, but unfortunately no pun in 10 did.

Milo Weston

Instructor
Mr Milo Weston is a student in Wentzville School District. He has a strong passion for math, and enjoys helping others succeed in the field. In fact, he is pursuing degrees in both mathematics and formal education. In his free time, Milo loves to play tennis, create fine art, and study Japanese; he’s been learning for a little over three years. He also loves spending time with his younger siblings and golden retriever. Milo’s favorite number is 8 because it represents victory and balance. It is also a symbol of prosperity in Chinese culture.

Ashley Wuennenberg

Instructor

Ms. Ashley Wuennenberg is a Maryville University student studying communication sciences and disorders and psychology. Her goal is to become a speech-language pathologist. In her free time, she enjoys writing, playing video games, and listening to music. Ashley also creates miniature sculptures out of polymer clay. As a fun fact, she once memorized over 100 digits of pi to win a pie! It’s no surprise that pi is her favorite number. Her favorite math joke is a classic: Why was six afraid of seven? Because seven, eight, nine!

Heather Hinze

Instructor

Heather Hinze has been teaching for 21 years. She graduated from Lindenwood with a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and a Masters Degree in Gifted Education. She then received a Specialist degree in Educational Technology from University of Missouri Columbia. She has taught grades 1 through 8 and now works in the Orchard Farm school district as a gifted specialist. In her free time, she loves to read, dance, and decorate cookies!

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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