Our Team at Mathnasium of Lino Lakes

Tracey

Education:

BS Elementary Education/Middle School Mathematics from Evangel University

Years of Experience Teaching Math:

10 years of classroom teaching, over 10 years of tutoring

What do you like most about learning?

I like seeing things in new and different ways. I like to understand how others think and feel and experience the world. 

What is the biggest impact you've had on a student's ability to become proficient in math?

The biggest impact I have been able to make on a student’s ability is to grow their comfort level, which grows confidence, which leads to wanting to take on more challenges with others and on their own. I have the ability to take math concepts and explain them in ways that make sense to the individual student. 

What type of math do you enjoy teaching most?

I love algebraic thinking. The topics taught in middle school are my favorite to teach. It’s really fun for me to teach solving equations because it is like a puzzle that needs to be unraveled. 

How do you make learning math fun for students?

I think the most effective way of making something fun is overcoming the anxiety that goes along with something that is a challenge. I do this with a calm presence, engaging manipulatives, and clear explanations. There are so many interesting patterns and connections in math and when the student’s confidence grows and they start seeing those, it becomes fun for them to see how the next thing connects.

Laura

Education: 

BA in Journalism with a Business Minor

Years of experience teaching math: 

<1 year

What do you like most about learning? 

I enjoy problem-solving and discovering new ways to approach challenges. I especially value the moment of pride or spark of interest when learning something new.

What is the biggest impact you’ve had on a student’s ability to become proficient in math?

I’ve helped students improve their math proficiency by teaching practical strategies, like tips for conversions—multiplying to go smaller and dividing to go bigger. I also support my daughter daily by reinforcing routines and patterns, often creating songs and sayings to make concepts memorable.

How do you make learning math fun for students?

I like to incorporate creative techniques like memorable sayings, visual graphics, and other small strategies to help students remember and enjoy learning math.

Anushkaa

Education: 

Junior at Blaine High School

Years of experience teaching math: 

3 years 

What do you like most about learning? 

I enjoy being able to understand the world more and more. There is something so powerful about gaining knowledge. Learning is very inspiring and valuable. Specifically in math, working through tough problems and that feeling once it finally clicks is amazing.

What is the biggest impact you’ve had on a student’s ability to become proficient in math?

I remember in the beginning of my employment at Mathnasium, there was a student who was struggling a lot at understanding the concept of fractions. It took me basically all hour to get her to grasp the big picture and be able to do the math proficiently. She is now one of our best students and that experience made me so grateful to have the job I do and be able to make an impact on students. Since then, I’ve had many cases like this and I’m amazed constantly at how a little bit of help can truly transform a student. 

How do you make learning math fun for students?