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.

Brett Maher

Owner

Brett is proud to co-own Mathnasium of Lincoln, where he supports students and families in their math learning journey. A former NFL kicker and University of Nebraska–Lincoln graduate, Brett combines his background in mathematics and athletics to inspire local students. His prior experience as a special education paraeducator helped shape his commitment to student success. 

Brett values hard work, community, and education. He enjoys golfing, mentoring young athletes, traveling, and spending time with his wife and daughters. At Mathnasium, Brett is dedicated to creating opportunities for students to thrive through caring guidance and personalized learning.

Jordan Kester

Center Director

Before joining Mathnasium, she spent 11 years teaching high school math, where she loved helping students discover that moment when math finally clicks. She is passionate about making math feel less intimidating and more accessible for everyone. She thrives on helping students reach those transformative moments and is passionate about helping students build confidence in their math ability. Jordan earned her bachelor’s degree from Nebraska Wesleyan and her master’s from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Jordan knows how vital the fundamentals of mathematics are as students continue their education. She is all about creating a positive, welcoming space where students feel supported and empowered. Outside of work, Jordan enjoys life as a newlywed, playing with her two dogs, and firmly believes coffee is the way to her heart. In her free time, you’ll find Jordan reading, gardening, or daydreaming about her next travel or foodie adventure.

Andrea Volf

Assistant Center Director

Andrea Volf is the Assistant Center Director at Mathnasium and a nationally recognized mathematics educator with more than 30 years of experience in teaching, curriculum development, teacher leadership, and mathematics education. Since joining Mathnasium in January 2025, she has been dedicated to helping students build confidence, strengthen problem-solving skills, and discover the joy of mathematics.

Andrea earned a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and English, a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction, and completed post-master’s graduate coursework equivalent to 36 credit hours in Mathematics Education. Her strong academic background has provided the foundation for a career centered on excellence in mathematics instruction, curriculum development, and educational leadership.

Prior to joining Mathnasium, Andrea taught Algebra and 8th-grade mathematics in Lincoln Public Schools for more than 25 years. During her tenure at Irving Middle School, she served as the Mathematics Department Chair for several years and coached the school’s MathCounts team for more than 15 years. Under her leadership, Irving consistently ranked among the top two teams in Nebraska, earning numerous state-level honors.

Following her career with Lincoln Public Schools, Andrea taught Algebra for seven years at Southeast Community College, where she continued her passion for helping students build strong mathematical foundations.

For 20 years, Andrea also taught at the Nebraska Scholars Academy at Hastings College, working with highly gifted middle school students from across the state. Her course, The Art of Mathematics, encouraged students to explore the beauty, creativity, and elegance of mathematics beyond the traditional classroom.

Andrea has been an active leader in the mathematics education community throughout her career. She served on the Board of Directors for the Nebraska Association of Teachers of Mathematics (NATM) and on the board of Phi Delta Kappa, an international professional association for educators.

Recognized for her expertise in mathematics instruction, Andrea was one of only two Nebraska teachers selected to collaborate with Dr. Rick Billstein at the University of Montana on the development of a STEM-based mathematics curriculum. Alongside 49 educators from across the United States, she spent three weeks in Missoula designing innovative curriculum materials that integrated mathematics and STEM education.

Andrea has long been a pioneer in the use of technology in mathematics instruction. When Lincoln Public Schools adopted new graphing calculators, she rewrote the district’s instructional programs so they aligned with the calculators used by students and teachers. Her work in integrating graphing technology into middle school mathematics led the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) to invite her to present workshops on effective graphing calculator instruction. She presented at two national NCTM conferences, as well as numerous regional and state conferences, sharing practical strategies with mathematics educators from across the country.

Today, Andrea brings this wealth of classroom experience, leadership, curriculum development, and student-centered instruction to Mathnasium. Throughout her career, she has remained committed to one guiding belief: every student can learn mathematics when given the right encouragement, instruction, and opportunity. She is passionate about inspiring confidence in learners of all ages and helping students realize their full mathematical potential.


Amy

Lead Instructor

Amy is studying Elementary and Special Education at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, with a minor in Positive Psychology. Before joining Mathnasium, she taught summer school and worked as a special education paraprofessional. These experiences helped her discover a passion for encouraging students and helping them succeed. 

At Mathnasium, Amy enjoys watching students grow in both skill and confidence. In her free time, she enjoys staying active, going to concerts, enjoying sweet treats, and spending time with family and friends. 

Darla

Instructor

Darla brings 29 years of teaching experience to Mathnasium, including elementary through college-level math. She is a National Board Certified Teacher in Adolescent Mathematics and a recipient of the Don W. Miller Math Award. 

Darla enjoys helping students understand math in ways that make sense to them. Her goal is to ensure every student not only succeeds but also finds joy in learning. When she’s not teaching, Darla loves spending time with family, being outdoors, and going for runs. 

Matt

Instructor

Matt is a student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln studying
Mechanical Engineering. He also coaches for the Lincoln Shooting Stars
Special Olympics Swim Team, which helped him shape his patient and
encouraging instructional style. In his free time, he enjoys playing
the guitar and recently built one from scratch.

Matt is passionate about helping students understand the reasoning
behind the numbers. He loves guiding students towards those important
"aha" moments where the difficult concepts finally click and their
confidence grows. His technical background allows him to break down
math concepts into more manageable steps, making math feel more
accessible. He is always ready to apply his math experience in the
Mathnasium center!

Sophia

Instructor
Sophia is a Master's student at the University of Alabama studying Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics. She has always been the one her peers go to for academic help. She also works at the Entrap Escape Room, and has a passion for puzzles and helping others discover those *aha* moments when things finally fall into place. She brings a positive attitude to tackling complex mathematics.

Outside of academics, Sophia currently enjoys painting, playing video games, and magic the gathering. 


Lida

Instructor

John

Instructor

Olivia

Instructor

Olivia is a double major in Computer Science and Discrete Mathematics and Cryptography at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. As the Academic Advisor for her Navy ROTC program. Olivia helps guide her peers academically while balancing a rigorous course load and leadership responsibilities. She has a passion for helping students develop confidence in math by making learning enjoyable and rewarding. With her strong academic background and leadership experience, Olivia excels at breaking down complex math concepts into clear, manageable steps. Outside of academics, she enjoys playing intramural sports, spending time outdoors, and exploring music.

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.

Quote Quote
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

Schedule Your Math Skills Assessment Today

Student using math cubes to solve fractions
Student working with a math tutor at a local math learning center

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