Meet the Team at Mathnasium of Monrovia

Isabella Pettner

My name is Isabella and I come to Mathnasium with a dual passion and dual experience in math education and fashion design. I was fortunate enough to work at a Mathnasium in Colorado during college before I began my next chapter in Wisconsin as a fashion designer for Kohl's. After getting engaged to my high school sweetheart, we both just recently moved to the Monrovia area and I am ecstatic to be able to now split my days fueling both of my passions! During each day at Mathnasium, I bring my blend of creativity and analytic thinking to working with our students. Nothing is more fulfilling than hearing that famous "a-ha" when a concept clicks - and the smile and confidence that comes with that. Thank you for trusting your students with me, I am honored to get to work with each one of them!

Maxwell Svonkin

School Attending: Pasadena City College
Major: Mathematics
Hobbies and Interests: Games, puzzles, sports (mostly basketball and football) and (obviously) math! I also play the trombone and love listening to jazz.
What I love about Mathnasium: I have always loved math, and I love that I can help students foster their love of math as well. There is no better feeling than seeing people solve what once seemed like an impossible problem to them and realizing how far they've come in their learning.

Natalie Tran

Hello! My name is Natalie Tran, and I am a Computer Science student at Cal Poly Pomona. As a young child, I have always held a passion for mathematics. Interacting and teaching the students at Mathnasium brings me joy. It's very fulfilling to see the students enhance their math skills and learn to love the subject.
At school, I am involved with one one of the cybersecurity clubs and the Student Security Operations Center. Outside of school, I enjoy crocheting and watching TV with my friends and family.

Roula Nahouli

My name is Roula Nahouli, a mother of four children. Since childhood, mathematics has been my passion and obsession, and I have been fortunate enough to turn this passion into a fruitful career. I love interacting with children, as I see in them innocence and an opportunity to shape the future. Thanks to my extensive experience in dealing with children, I have acquired unique skills in communicating and interacting with them in an effective and enjoyable way. I am addicted to achieving perfection in everything I do, where there is no room for compromises for me. Either I succeed completely in what I do, or I leave the matter from its roots.
Alongside my love for intellectual challenges, I am thrilled by climbing in nature and swimming; finding in the sea a presence of tranquility and calmness that restores my balance. My family is a source of strength and pride for me. I am extremely grateful for the blessing of having my children in my life, and I cannot imagine my life without them. Thanks to God, I enjoy every moment spent with them, as they provide warmth that fills me with happiness and security.

Ava Shaw

Hi! My name is Ava Shaw and I am a current student at Arcadia High School. I have always loved working with kids, whether that be coaching BJJ, volunteering at summer camps, tutoring on campus, and of course, teaching at Mathnasium! It is truly rewarding to watch my students grow in their confidence and math abilities, especially seeing them have that "a-ha" moment! I strive to make a personal connection with each one of my students and hope to make learning math a fun experience.
Outside of class I enjoy listening to music, eating good food, and hanging with my dog, Poppy! I also have a passion for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, which I have been doing for over eight years.

Clarissa Suryapranata

Hi! I'm Clarissa and I enjoy sharing my knowledge with bright, eager students like those at Mathnasium! Math has always been a subject that interests me, and I love passing that interest down to young minds. I find joy in helping kids see the fun in doing math problems, and I feel fulfilled whenever I notice their progress and improvement over time. I am honored to be able to create friendly bonds with the students I work with because getting to know each of their unique personalities puts a smile on my face.

Gavin Ngo

My name is Gavin Ngo and I currently attend Arcadia High. Teaching is joy of mine because I get to help other kids and see them grow in terms of their math level. Giving back to the community in this way makes me feel very good.
My hobbies include playing basketball, piano, and guitar. In school, I am also involved in the Music community as I am in my school's orchestra.

Hassan Nahouli

Hello! My name is Hassan Nahouli and I am currently a junior at Arcadia High School. When I’m not working on homework, I like playing basketball, which I’ve enjoyed my entire life. My favorite team is the Lakers!
When it comes to tutoring at Mathnasium, I am able to closely relate to many of the students as I was one of Mathnasium of Monrovia’s first students, and I was also in a position that enabled me to underestimate my capabilities. Having attended Mathnasium, however, I was able to develop into a position that no longer required me to fear math, which is what I hope to harbor among my students!

Jiana Heib

My name is Jiana, and I have a passion for working with children and teaching, particularly in the field of mathematics. Through my studies and experiences, I strive to make learning both engaging and enjoyable for students, fostering a love for learning that extends beyond the classroom. As a student of the arts, I also have a deep love for drawing and painting. I believe in the power of education to shape young minds and inspire creativity.

Kathy Bai

My name is Kathy, and I am passionate in leading young students to success. From a young age, solving equations has always been a source of curiosity and growth making my favorite subject math. I enjoy tutoring students and guiding them through their academic journey. Witnessing their growth and progress floods me with pride. I love working at Mathnasium because I get the chance to share my knowledge while leading children to feel the same joy I experience working out seemingly impossible problems. Mathnasium allows young scholars to be able to grow in an exciting learning environment.

Magdalena Dewi

Hi! My name is Magdalena. I love working with children because I enjoy getting to know them and connecting with them through teaching. Making them realize that they have potential deep in their minds fulfills my purpose as a teacher. I find it amazing how we can inspire these children to channel their abilities by using math as a tool.
My hobbies include listening to music, singing, and watching dramas & kungfu movies. I also love eating cake and drink boba.

Maya Budiman

My name is Maya and I am currently a senior at Arcadia High School. Working with students began to peak my interest during high school because of the sense of accomplishment I feel as I guide others through their struggles in learning. Other than that, getting to know the kids and their goofy personalities has made this job even more fulfilling.
In the duration of high school, I’ve taken teaching classes, tutored in my free time, and volunteered at countless elementary schools as an Interact member and club officer.
Apart from school, I’m a pescatarian and a cat-lover, and I love fitness! I’m a dark chocolate connoisseur, and jjamppong, poke bowls, Indian food, and jasmine green milk tea are my favorite things to feast on.

Sami Kai Ali

Hi! My name is Sami Kai Ali, and I'm currently a senior at Temple City High School. I love working at Mathnasium because I get to work with so many unique and curious students that are driven to learn more. There is no better feeling than watching my students thrive and flourish as they conquer and understand topics they previously found difficult.
In my free time, I love to go the gym, bike, and hike. Furthermore, I enjoy playing video games and basketball with my best friends!

Tommy Chuu

As a current student at Arcadia High School, my experience working at Mathnasium has provided me with valuable opportunities to cultivate meaningful connections with others. I like teaching young students because it gives me the opportunity to make a positive impact on their lives and help them achieve their full potential.
In my free time, I enjoy playing soccer and working out. Furthermore, I have proficiency in both the violin and piano.

Wilson Chu

I enjoy helping students with math as I was and still am in their position. I would like to return the favor and help them with their future success. Helping other people has always brought me joy; helping students not only brings me joy but also improves their math abilities.
I'm also fascinated with and enjoy learning about cars. I play the violin in my school orchestra, and have played for 8 years now. Occasionally I play basketball or soccer with my friends, which is one way we hang out. I believe in spending quality time with friends and family.