Our Team at Mathnasium of Pasadena

Phoebe L.

Phoebe studied Anthropology at New York University, with minors in Social Work and Child Psychology. She has been part of the Mathnasium family since 2018, and joined Mathnasium of Pasadena in February 2024. What Phoebe loves most about Mathnasium is that it’s not a one-size-fits-all approach to education! She values how each student’s individual academic needs are recognized and supported so they can succeed both in school and beyond. Outside of the center, Phoebe enjoys going to theme parks, concerts, reading, and traveling. A fun fact about her is that she collects Disney pins! 

Rochelle H.

Rochelle earned her B.S. in Biology from California State University, Los Angeles and has been with Mathnasium since July 2020. What she loves most about Mathnasium is being able to use her knowledge of math to teach students and help them build confidence as they work through challenging concepts. She enjoys supporting students as they grow not only in skill, but also in self-assurance. Outside of Mathnasium, Rochelle enjoys drawing and reading. A fun fact about her is that she loves visiting theme parks, especially ones with thrilling roller coasters and rides!

Matthew B.

Matthew is currently attending Pasadena City College, where he plans to major in Education. He has been with Mathnasium since January 2023 and loves being able to teach and connect with students through math. Matthew appreciates how impactful Mathnasium can be and values the role it plays in helping students build a stronger, more positive relationship with math. When he’s not at the center, he enjoys playing video games and Magic: The Gathering. Some fun facts about Matthew are that he has visited four countries, played soccer for over seven years, and is afraid of the dark. 

Darron C.

Darron earned his M.A. in Sociology from California State University, Los Angeles and has been with Mathnasium since April 2017. What he loves most about Mathnasium is helping students experience those rewarding “ah-ha” moments while also easing their math anxiety over time. He enjoys being part of an environment where students can build both understanding and confidence. Darron also likes cooking, fencing, playing Magic: The Gathering, and making music. An interesting fact about him is that he also teaches at local universities and hopes to teach at community colleges!

Doug L.

Doug studied Business Finance at San Diego State University and Azusa Pacific University and has been with Mathnasium since October 2022. What he enjoys most about Mathnasium is the positive atmosphere and the way students feel safe and encouraged to participate. He values working with both the staff and students and appreciates the supportive environment Mathnasium creates. In his free time, Doug enjoys basketball, carpentry, motorcycles, mountain biking, and wrestling. A fun fact about him is that he coached a National Champion Cadet Girl Wrestler, who won Nationals in Oklahoma City. He was also born in Amityville, New York, the same town made famous by the movie.

Lizzie J.

Lizzie studied Electrical Engineering at Cal Poly Pomona and has been with Mathnasium since January 2024. What she loves most about Mathnasium is how everyone works together to help each child learn and grow. She enjoys being part of a team that is focused on supporting students and helping them build confidence in math. Lizzie enjoys reading, taking nature walks, and watching movies. A fun fact about her is that she has ridden on a float in the Rose Parade.

Samantha S.

Sam attends Pasadena City College, where she is majoring in Engineering. She has been with Mathnasium since October 2024 and loves interacting with students and helping spread positivity about math. Her hobbies include watching anime, thrifting, and playing video games. An interesting fact about Sam is that she has 11 chickens!

Ryan S.

Ryan attends California State University, Long Beach, where he studies Finance. He has been with Mathnasium since May 2025 and loves seeing students become more confident in their math abilities, while encouraging them to think about the reasoning behind solutions. His hobbies include running, lifting weights, investing, watching sports, and exploring new places. An interesting fact about Ryan is that he has run 18 miles in a single run!

Erik F.

Erik attended California State University, Long Beach, where he earned his M.S. in Marketing Analytics, and Sonoma State University, where he earned his B.S. in Statistics. He has been with Mathnasium since August 2025 and enjoys helping students understand and appreciate math, as well as the balance of routine and the uniqueness each student brings to every day. His hobbies include playing video games, watching YouTube, badminton, tennis, and building LEGOs. An interesting fact about Erik is that he has built four PCs and two keyboards.

Thadeus T.

Barbara G.

Barbara attends Pasadena City College, where she studies Biomedical Engineering. She has been with Mathnasium since September 2025 and loves seeing the progress in students’ abilities. Her hobbies include biking, fishing, dancing, baking, and taking on academic challenges, especially in physics. An interesting fact about Barbara is that she has two cats.

Ken V.

Ken attended California State University, Los Angeles, where he studied Human Health Psychology and earned a Single-Subject Credential in Math. He has been with Mathnasium since December 2024 and loves interacting with students and helping develop their passion for math. His hobbies include cooking, reading manga, and playing video games. A couple interesting facts about Ken are that he has performed at Carnegie Hall and can solve a Rubik’s Cube.

Sonya C.

Sonya studies Biology at Citrus College and has been with Mathnasium since October 2025. She loves the positive atmosphere at Mathnasium and enjoys getting to work with math every day. In her downtime, she enjoys playing video games and spending time with her cat. Some fun facts about Sonya are that she was born in Hawaii, and her cat’s name is Megatron.

Francesco F.

Alejandra C.

Alejandra graduated from the University of California, Riverside in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics. Shortly after graduation, Alejandra joined the Mathnasium of Pasadena team as an instructor and advanced her way to Center Director over the course of 3 years. As Education Specialist, she is now in charge of all student learning plans, training of new instructors, and furthering the training of current instructors.

Angel R.

Angel has been with Mathnasium since Spring of 2025, leading our on-campus School Partnership program with over a half-dozen PUSD elementary and middle schools. Angel graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a degree in Physics in 2022. I love what Mathnasium is able to accomplish by helping students grow their confidence in and change their attitude towards math, and I love seeing the change first hand in the kids we work with - I'm very passionate about giving them everything we can so that every kid gets to have that experience. In my own time, I love board games and card games and you can find me playing games with friends and family every week. 

Jesse D.

Jesse graduated California State University of Long Beach in 2023 with a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts with an emphasis in Animation/Game Design. He previously worked as a Lead Instructor at Mathnasium of Seal Beach from 2021-2023. He transferred to Mathnasium of South Pasadena and served as a Lead Instructor from 2023-2025.  As District Support Specialist, he is working his way up to working with all our Mathnasium centers ensuring quality service to our students and families.

Max N.

Hi! I’m Max. I’ve been with Mathnasium since 2019 when I started as an instructor as a high school senior. When I graduated, I went to NYU for two years to study biochemistry, but later decided to come home and change my major to Business Administration. I’m currently working full time at Mathnasium while attending classes part time at Cal Poly Pomona to finish my degree. I love what we do here because the idea of making math fun for kids is such a unique philosophy, and it’s something I resonate with a lot because I love to learn. In my own time, I’m a huge nerd for science, history, sci-fi, fantasy, superheroes, and more, and once you get me started, I could talk for hours about these things. I also enjoy outdoor activities, and even built a skimboard out of plywood a couple years ago so I could learn to ride it at the beach. If you see me in the center at any point, don’t be afraid to say hi!

Andrew M.

Andrew graduated from the University of San Diego in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in Economics. After graduation, he joined the team at Mathnasium of South Pasadena as a Math Instructor. After moving his way up to Lead Instructor and Assistant Center Director, Andrew became the Center Director for the Mathnasium of South Pasadena. Due to the wonderful time he had managing the South Pasadena center over the course of 3 years, Andrew looks forward to his new role as District Manager. As District Manager Andrew will oversee the management of the Mathnasium centers located in Monterey Park, Pasadena, San Marino and South Pasadena. He is excited to continue to provide top tier customer service at each Mathnasium location as well as helping to build his students’ confidence so they can succeed at any goal they set for themselves.