Jozef has been working with Mathnasium since 2012, helping families and students in the Lake Oswego, West Linn, and now Northeast Portland areas with their math endeavors. Jozef first pursued nursing early in college, but very quickly developed a love and passion for teaching, and is currently building his career in Math Education. Aside from teaching math, Jozef has also spent several years teaching hip-hop dance classes around various dance studios in Portland, performing down and throughout the West Coast (and once on TV!). He has also worked closely with youth and young adults as a Youth Minister for the CFC Family Ministries since 2016. Outside of math, Jozef spends his free time with his family (5 siblings, and many nieces and nephews), trying to stay active playing tennis, basketball, and boxing, and going on the occasional run/hike. Jozef is a gamer (games like Minecraft, Apex Legends, NBA2K, and many, many others), loves to watch anime (you name it, he may have already seen it!), and loves music (he plays the piano, guitar, and sings). Jozef works hard to create an environment in which his students feel comfortable and confident to confront and eventually overcome their math struggles. Every student has the capacity to understand and become great at math, and deserves the empathy, patience, and guidance it takes to get there.
Anna West
Assistant Center Director
Anna was born and raised in Southeast Portland. They graduated with a BA in Philosophy from Saint Mary’s College of California and an MA in Ethics from Fordham University. Anna was an enthusiastic mathematician in high school and college, so their favorite part of working with Mathnasium is helping students develop their curiosity for math and find joy where they used to struggle. In their free time, Anna loves to play soccer, read a good mystery, and work on the NYT crossword.
Josh Cooperman-Earl
Senior Lead Instructor
Josh graduated with a BS in Mathematics Education from California Polytechnic State University. His favorite part about working at Mathnasium is getting the chance to hear about what students are excited about in their days and trying his best to Make Math Make Sense. While not at work Josh likes long walks, basketball, reading and giving names to all of the trees around his Southeast Portland neighborhood. Josh would love to meet your dog someday, if given the chance.
Bruce Withycombe
Owner/Executive Director
As a multi-center Mathnasium owner, Bruce has come full circle back to the joy of mathematics and problem solving that lead him to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from Lewis & Clark College. In addition to studying Math while in college, Bruce played Varsity Football, earned extra money as a Math Tutor and was involved with student politics. After graduation he studied Actuarial Science at Georgia State University and began a career in the Pension and Retirement Plans Industry, working with consulting firms and insurance companies in that capacity. An opportunity to work in healthcare consulting moved Bruce into the Health Services Industry, where he most recently worked with WebMD Health Services as National Account Manager. Outside of Mathnasium, Bruce has 3 beautiful daughters, which has kept things very busy with school, music, athletic and academic events.
Bruce has spent many seasons as a youth basketball coach, and in his spare time works as a musician, playing in multiple bands in the Portland area including Ural Thomas & The Pain (uralthomasandthepain.com) , Jujuba (jujuba.org), the Goodfoot All-Stars and the WayDowns (thewaydowns.net). Bruce is a member of The Portland Horns, who have played with national touring acts such as The Decemberists, The Violent Femmes, Spoon, Bobby Bare Jr, The Next Waltz and many others. His discography includes credits with Jujuba, Kathy Walker Band, The Decemberists, NRVS LVRS, Jerry Joseph & the Jackmormons, Casey Neil & the Norway Rats, Point Juncture WA, Kory Quinn and a host of others.
Bruce is very excited to be opening mathematical doors using the Mathnasium method of developing number sense. He feels strongly that math skills are not only important from a technical standpoint, but also as a solid foundation of logic and problem solving skills that is not only relevant, but crucial to success in many disciplines.
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.
Are you interested in changing lives through math? We're looking for outstanding individuals with a high level of commitment who are passionate about teaching math. Find out if there's a Mathnasium position that's just right for you!