Our Team at Mathnasium of Lincolnwood

Berish Cardash

Prior to getting involved with Mathnasium, Berish spent a decade in the collegiate world as the Director of Admissions of a liberal arts college. In that position, he helped create new undergraduate college programs and was responsible for the recruitment and retention of its' students. In this capacity, Berish traveled around the globe during which time he counseled hundreds of students in planning for their futures. It was during these years that Berish saw firsthand the tremendous need to maintain strong math skills in order to succeed at the college level. Berish is the father of six children and 6 grandchildren! His wife is a Director of an Early Childhood program in Chicago. In his "spare time" Berish founded the largest private men's basketball league in the country. He has also created a charity that gathers and distributes yearly more than 12 tons of clothing to the needy. A product of CPS Magnet School System (Decatur Classical) Berish is looking forward to helping students achieve their full potential as the first Mathnasium Learning Center in the Chicagoland area.

Kelsey Sternberg

Kelsey holds a BA in Mathematics and Spanish from Taylor University. She has worked for Mathnasium since 2016, and has worked for centers in four different states! Kelsey grew up in Holland, Michigan, and has loved math ever since she was young. She loves sharing her passion for the beauty of mathematics and the fun of problem solving with students, and equally importantly, helping to build their self-confidence! In her free time, Kelsey likes to play board games, go for walks outside (preferably in warm, sunny weather), and talk with loved ones.

Jide Sonuga

Jide is currently a Junior at DePaul University, pursuing degrees in both Secondary Education as well as Mathematics, with previous experience as an engineering student at University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana, with current experience up to Multivariable Calculus. He has been tutoring math for 6 years, starting in 2018 with volunteering at a local elementary school, and professional tutoring in 2021, primarily specializing in SAT preparation. Born and raised in Chicago, Jide spends his free time cycling the lakefront, exploring farmers markets, and doing a bit of studying while riding the L.

Anujin

Anujin is a senior at Northside College Preparatory High School. She plans on majoring in Applied Math and Economics in her pursuit of higher education. Her favorite class she’s taken so far is Differential Equations and Linear Algebra, since it opened her eyes to so many different ways that math could be applied, not only in real life but also in abstract concepts. She remembers sitting at the dining room table as a child, practicing math, and celebrating whenever she answered a problem correctly. Due to this, she has grown to love math, and wants others to love math as well.

Aymal

Aymal is a Senior at Niles West High School. He has always been intrigued by mathematics, and is currently in AP Calculus BC. In his free time, Aymal tutors at his school's literacy center, helps run the Model United Nations club, and engages in activism in other clubs. He hopes to major in Neuroscience in college next year.

Zak

Zak Kmak is a former physicist from California with a BS in Physics from University of California - San Diego, and an MA in Learning Design and Technology from San Diego State University. In the past, Zak worked with the development of superconductors for labs in California and as an instructor teaching children engineering concepts with Legos. With passions for music and education, Zak sees math as an important skill not just for higher education, but for everyday life. Little things get easier with math fluency! Zak loves his two cats, camping, seeing live music, and watching the people around him grow and thrive.

Maggie

Maggie is currently a junior at Northside College Preparatory High School. She’s currently an AP Calculus student, but her favorite math class she’s taken is Algebra I. Maggie is dedicated to helping kids learn and succeed. She hopes to help them experience the same sense of accomplishment and joy that she gets when she solves a tough problem! In her free time, Maggie loves to read, play with her two cats, and sing in the DePaul Community Chorus with her mom.