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Oak Park/ River Forest
1101 Chicago Ave Oak Park, IL 60302

Meet the Team at Mathnasium of Oak Park/ River Forest

Our staff is built to teach each student individually, to develop the skills they need to thrive in mathematics, and to foster a love of learning.

Our staff is built to teach each student individually, to develop the skills they need to thrive in mathematics, and to foster a love of learning.

Math Centers / Oak Park/ River Forest / Our Team
Eric Smith

Eric Smith

Center Director
As a lover of math and teaching, Eric has had an extensive career in education all over the world. Eric initially graduated from Hampton University with a degree in Accounting. After working several years in non-profit financial services within Washington D.C. and Chicago, Eric joined Teach For America and was placed in Las Vegas. It was during that time in Las Vegas where Eric both taught middle school mathematics and received his Masters of Education at the University of Nevada - Las Vegas. After teaching several years in Las Vegas, Eric moved to Dubai, UAE where he taught fourth grade in an International Baccalaureate school. After two years overseas, Eric decided to return to the United States and teach high school in Chicago. In Chicago, for the Noble Network of Schools, Eric served as an Algebra and Geometry teacher, Department Chair, and Basketball coach. Eric is a self described ‘busy body’ and ‘lover of music’. He can be found exploring new cities, trying new restaurants, or listening to a band in a variety of locations. He is excited to be at Mathnasium where he hopes to make an impact both within students' understanding of mathematics and within the Oak Park community. Fun Fact: Eric has been to over 40 states and 30 countries. He hopes to visit the remaining ten states within the next five years and eventually visit over 50 countries within the next ten.

Nick Woods

Assistant Center Director
Nick, a graduate of Oak Park and River Forest High School, loves to find ways to make math easy and give students that “lightbulb” moment. He won the OPRFHS Scholarship Cup and placed as a National Merit Finalist following his perfect score on the PSAT. Additionally, he has acquired years of experience working as a private tutor. Nick takes pride in his ability to adapt to students at any level of math, whether they need help with arithmetic, algebra, or his favorite subject: calculus. Fun Fact: In addition to his passion for math and teaching, Nick loves to act! He has an agent in the city, and he even booked a role in NBC’s Chicago P.D.

Charles Wilson

Lead Instructor
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!

Jana Frank

Owner
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!

David

Instructor
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!

Paisley

Instructor
Paisley is currently a senior at Oak Park and River Forest High School. She is taking Stats, and has previously taken Pre Calculus and AP Calculus AB/BC! As a student who received tutoring at Mathnasium in middle school, Mathnasium has helped her gain confidence not only with math, but also with other activities. She loves how math has many applications and is relevant to her everyday life. Her favorite subjects in school are French, history, and, of course, math. Fun Fact: In her free time, Paisley sings, practices piano and guitar, travels, and takes karate classes!

Alejandro

Instructor
Alejandro is a junior at Oak Park and River Forest High School. He is currently taking AP Calculus AB/BC, and has taken Geometry, Algebra, and Honors Pre-Calculus. Next year, he will be taking Calculus 3/Linear Algebra. 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!

Paloma

Instructor
Paloma is almost finished with her junior at Oak Park and River Forest High school. She is currently taking AP Calculus AB/BC and loves it! She is excited to take AP Physics Calculus next year. 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!

Gracie

Instructor
Gracie is currently a junior at Oak Park and River Forest High School. She loves math, both as a subject and a concept. Gracie is currently taking AP Calculus AB/BC and is excited to take Calc 3 next year. 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

Sophie

Instructor
Sophie is currently a Junior at Oak Park and River Forest High School. She has taken Geometry, Advanced Algebra and Pre-Calculus and is taking Calculus AB/BC 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!

Will

Instructor
Will is currently a junior 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 Calculus AB/BC course. 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!

Isabel

Instructor
Isabel is a current junior at Oak Park and River Forest High School. They are currently taking AP Calculus AB/BC and are looking forward to taking AP Statistics and AP Computer Science next 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

Instructor
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

Instructor
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

Instructor
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

Instructor
Calum is a student at Oak Park and River Forest High School. He has completed Calculus AB/BC as well as Linear Algebra, is currently taking Calculus III, and is looking forward to taking Differential Equations over the summer and AP Statistics next year. 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

Instructor
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

Instructor
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!

Leticia

Instructor

Nathan

Instructor
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!

Beining

Instructor

Emma

Instructor

David

Instructor

Jackson

Instructor

Brice

Instructor

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.
Amber W., Mathnasium Instructor

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