Meet the Team at Mathnasium of Oak Park/ River Forest

Jana Frank

Jana Frank is the proud owner of Mathnasium in Oak Park/River Forest, which she opened in 2013 and which has since become an integral part of the community! She has been recognized as a top Mathnasium owner and works with Mathnasium's Education Department to help write, pilot, and evaluate new curriculum. Jana is also a member of the Chicagoland Mathnasium Co-Op board and frequently represents the organization at local PR events, where she can often be seen on the news discussing the importance of math! She holds several degrees in psychology, including developmental psychology, giving her deep insight into various learning types. Additionally, she has a master's degree in education and an endorsement in mathematics from the University of Chicago. Jana is dedicated to fostering a love of math in her students and enhancing their learning experiences. She believes every child can be a math whiz with the right instruction and is honored to be able to show students how fun math can be! Fun Fact: In her free time, Jana is a circus artist and aerialist, enjoying flying trapeze and acrobatics. You can catch her every spring performing with the Triton Troupers and has performed on the swinging trapeze, aerial cradle, stacking chairs, double stunts, acrobatics, and Spanish web!

Joe Pickering

Joe Pickering graduated from OPRF in 2018. While there he developed a love for mathematics, completing courses through Calculus 3. He then went on to combine that with a passion for sports to attend Syracuse University where he would study Sport Analytics. While at Syracuse, Joe had the opportunity to assist both the XFL and Syracuse University Ticket Office in the field of data analytics. Joe hopes to one day work for a professional sports team as an analyst. In the meantime he thoroughly enjoys tutoring, and has worked with ages from elementary school through college kids. Fun Fact: Joe has never heard the song "Hey, Joe" by Jimi Hendrix and does not get why everyone says "Hey, Joe" to him at work!

Charles Wilson

Charles, a graduate of Fenwick High School, is currently an undergraduate at Washington University in St. Louis pursuing his Bachelor’s in Applied Sciences of Chemical Engineering. Charles has always shown strong interests in science and math, which he credits to his lively teachers, professors, scholarly mentors, and friends. He has always enjoyed learning and explaining math, chemistry, and physics in casual settings between others and himself. Experience as a HighSight scholar who scored 30-32 composite ACT scores, a student amongst confused collegiate peers, and an older brother to an 11 year old sister has shown him first hand the difference an involved collaborator outside the classroom can make. Charles is enthusiastic to bring his style of that change to the OPRF Mathnasium team. Fun Fact: Charles has sung in multiple performances of the Nutcracker with the Joffrey Ballet!

Nathan Sanchez

Nathan is a graduate from DePauw University, majoring in computer science and minoring in Japanese. His experience as a teacher’s assistant sparked a passion for tutoring, which he continues to pursue while embarking on a career in software engineering. He loves sharing his knowledge, as it enables others to become teachers themselves. He also believes learning should be an enjoyable experience, a value his teachers instilled. Nathan enjoys traveling, watching movies, playing video games with his friends, and perfumery in his free time. Fun fact: Nathan once spent part of a summer in Tokyo conducting research in human-computer interaction!

David

David is a graduate of Oak Park and River Forest High School and the University of Michigan Ann Arbor where he studied mechanical engineering and physics. David's love for STEM started with his Lego robotics team in middle school. He then did Vex robotics in high school and went to the world championships twice! He also plays the drums and loves rock, metal, and swing music. David uses math every day, and thinks that mental math makes everything in life easier. David loved helping his classmates and friends with calculus, chemistry, and physics, and hopes he can help students at Mathnasium too. Fun Fact: David collects Runik's cube puzzles and can solve a 7-layer Rubik's cube!

Paloma

Paloma is a senior at Oak Park and River Forest High school. She is currently taking Calculus 3 and Linear Algebra and loves it! She plans to pursued a career in aerospace engineering, hopefully working at NASA one day. Paloma loves being a leader: she was captain of the soccer team at OPRF where she also started Italian club and is currently president. Her favorite class has always been math, and she is so excited to work with kids and hopefully to make math class their favorite too. Fun Fact: Paloma loves music and plays the lead guitar in an alternative rock band!

Will

Will is currently a senior at Oak Park and River Forest High school. Will has always had and developed a love for math at a very young age. Math has always been his favorite subject and he has been placed into advanced math classes since elementary school. Will is currently working on completing the Ap Statistics and Linear Algebra/Calculus 3 courses. Will has always enjoyed teaching and helping out fellow classmates with math related problems. Will is also a part of the soccer community in Oak Park and has been playing the sport for over 8 years now. Fun Fact: Will has previously played the flute for a total of over 5 years of experience!

Sophie

Sophie is currently a senior at Oak Park and River Forest High School. She has taken Geometry, Advanced Algebra and Pre-Calculus, Calculus AB/BC, and is currently taking Linear Algebra/Calculus 3 this year. Sophie’s favorite subject is math, and she would like to major in Mathematics or Economics in college. Sophie is a part of the Tennis and Lacrosse teams at OPRF, as well as the Women in Leadership club. Sophie loves music and has been taking piano lessons since she was four. During her free time, she enjoys reading and likes to bake with friends. Fun Fact: Sophie loves swimming in the ocean, and hopes to one day swim with dolphins!

Isabel

Isabel is a current senior at Oak Park and River Forest High School. They are currently and taking AP Statistics and AP Computer Science and have enjoyed AP Calculus AB/BC last year. They are currently planning on majoring in mathematics in college and are hoping to continue teaching math in some way. Isabel is a part of the varsity ultimate frisbee team at OPRF and is also an involved member of the boxing club. In their free time Isabel likes to practice piano (a hobby they have had for over 10 years) and participates in recitals twice a year. Fun Fact: Isabel can solve a Rubik's cube in under 3 minutes!

Thomas

Thomas is a student at Oak Park and River Forest High School where he plays football as a center and long snapper. Thomas has been interested in math since his elementary school Lego robotics summer camp. He is currently taking Pre-calculus and has completed Algebra 2 and Geometry. Thomas also loves sharing his passion for math and science. He thinks that math makes it easier to understand the world around you and helps in many other aspects of life. When Thomas graduates, he wants to become a mechanical engineer and keep the world moving with math. In his free time Thomas like to play sports, go to the gym, and hang out with his friends. Fun Fact: Thomas has 47 cousins and 14 biological aunts and uncles!

Sophia

Sophia attends Oak Park and River Forest High School. With completed courses in Geometry, Advanced Algebra, and Pre-Calculus, she is currently tackling AP Calculus AB/BC. Sophia finds joy in the logical nature of math, especially when she can apply it to her interests in music and economics. She is passionate about bringing literacy to kids in need, and leads a charity that provides free books to underprivileged children. At OPRF, Sophia competes in Math Team, Model UN, and DECA. She also writes for the school newspaper. Outside of the school community, she can be found practicing piano, playing pickleball, or spending time with friends. Fun fact: Sophia loves to sing karaoke (but is not very good)!

Mackenzie

Mackenzie is currently a student at Oak Park River Forest High School. She has taken Geometry, AP Pre Calculus, and this year is excited to tackle AP Calculus AB! Next year she will be taking AP Statistics. Mackenzie first fell in love with math through doing logic puzzles as a kid. Now she finds the most joy in math’s puzzle solving nature, and how it helps her pursue her favorite pastime, music. In her free time Mackenzie plays piano, performs in show choir, participates in musicals at both OPRF and Ovation, writes poetry through Spoken Word Club, and contributes to the school newspaper. She also enjoys spending time with friends, baking, and reading. Fun fact: Mackenzie thinks her pumpkin bread recipe is much better than Starbucks’!

Calum

Calum is a student at Oak Park and River Forest High School. He has completed Calculus AB/BC as well as Linear Algebra, Calculus III, and Differential Equations. Currently, Calum is enjoying taking AP Statistics. He is considering majoring in mathematics, history, or music in college and hopes to continue teaching or tutoring in some way. Calum has had a strong interest in math from a young age, and participates in the OPRF math team. He has also been playing violin for 7 years, and is involved in the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra and various chamber groups. In addition, he mentors middle school students in violin through his school's PING! program, and helps organize concerts for seniors through the organization Harmony for Hearts. Fun fact: Calum loves doing the New York Times crossword!

Elsa

Elsa is a student at OPRFHS, currently taking AP Calculus AB/BC, and planning on continuing her high school math career to Linear Algebra and Statistics. Alongside loving math, Elsa is a yogi, which taught her the value of individualized learning and the importance of having passionate instructors. Elsa wants to study math and science in college and pursue a career in medicine. Elsa is a member of the synchronized swimming team, competes with the OPRF Science Olympiad, and plays piano, occasionally competing. Fun fact: Elsa is a black belt in taekwondo, where she also taught younger students!

Elia

Elia is a current student at Oak Park and River Forest High School. She is taking AP Calculus AB/BC and has previously taken Geometry, Advanced Algebra A, and AP Precalculus. Elia finds enjoyment in teaching and works with kids regularly through various volunteer tutoring programs. She finds importance in influencing and aiding students and hopes to pursue a career in which she can work with children. At Mathnasium, Elia hopes to continue her love for teaching while learning new skills that will help her later in her life. Fun fact: Elia has played the piano for fourteen years!

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Emma

Emma is a senior at Oak Park and River Forest High School. Math has always been her favorite subject. She is currently taking Linear Algebra and Calculus 3. She plans on majoring in business in college. Emma has been dancing since the age of three. She has lots of experience working with kids through teaching dance and previous camp counselor jobs. Fun Fact: Emma has two younger brothers, and she often helps them with their math homework

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Brice

Brice is currently a Senior at Oak Park and River Forest High School. He has taken Geometry, Advanced Algebra, Pre Calculus, and Calc AB, and is currently taking Calc BC and Calc 3. His favorite class is his AP Physics class, which is the perfect blend of complex topics and how math can be used to make sense of them. He plans on pursuing a double major in physics and computer science in college, with a possibility of going to graduate school after. He loves to play tennis, ping pong, and badminton, watch soccer, and read. Fun Fact: Brice is an avid Doctor Who fan, and loves to rewatch old episodes.

Simon

Simon, a graduate of Oak Park and River Forest High School, has always enjoyed math and working with young children, finishing AP Calculus BC at OPRF and supervising kids at Chicagoland summer camps with the West Suburban Special Recreation Association (WSSRA) for two summers. Although he went on to study Political Science and International Relations at St. Olaf College, he wants to keep math a part of his life and inspire students to recapture their love for it, as he knows how it feels to be discouraged by it at one point or another. Simon spent ten months in Mexico City after graduating from St. Olaf volunteering at a migrant accommodations center, played the oboe in his high school band and his college band and orchestra, and loves sports of all kinds. Fun fact: Simon loves speaking and learning about Spanish!

Ishani

Ishani is currently a senior at Oak Park River Forest High School. Last year, she took AP Calculus AB/BC, and is now working on Linear Algebra/Calculus III. Ishani has always loved the satisfaction of problem solving and logic in math. In college, she hopes to use math in economics and the fight against global warming. She loves spending time with friends, making pottery for OPRF Empty Bowls, listening to music, and traveling! Outside of school, you can find her dancing and performing. Fun Fact: Ishani has been dancing since she was 6 years old!

Gracie

Gracie is currently a senior at Oak Park and River Forest High School. She loves math, both as a subject and a concept. Gracie is currently taking Calc 3 and has completed AP Calculus AB/BC. She loves to help others learn while also extending her own knowledge. Gracie looks forward to using her skills and understanding to help others thrive to their best ability. Fun Fact: Gracie's favorite game is Monopoly

Alejandro

Alejandro is a senior at Oak Park and River Forest High School. He is currently taking Calculus 3/Linear Algebra and has taken Geometry, Algebra, Honors Pre-Calculus, and AP Calculus AB/BC. Alejandro appreciates math for its daily applications, as well as the incredible number of ways in which a problem can be solved. His favorite subject are Spanish, Chemistry, and Math. Alejandro plays viola and competes in OPRFHS’s Speech Team, receiving the Degree of Distinction from the National Speech & Debate Association. He enjoys playing volleyball, as well as acting. He is a captain of OPRF’s Noteworthy , and a member of Psychology Club. Alejandro is excited to help students fall in love with math. Fun Fact: Alejandro is obsessed with playing Sudoku!

Angel

Angel is currently a student at Triton College studying computer science and music. He has loved math ever since he could recall: completing Calculus III, Algebra, Geometry, and Trig. In his four years of teaching experience, Angel has worked with many students by helping to phrase challenging concepts in easy-to-digest pieces. His favorite aspect of teaching is when a student has that "lightbulb moment" where everything clicks and they understand a tricky idea. He believes there is value in taking pride in one's work, and loves it when his students show off their math skills. Fun Fact: Angel has worked as an intern for the Walt Disney Company and can tell you fun secrets about Disney World if you ask him!