Meet the Team at Mathnasium of Pittsford-Brighton

Mr. Tom

I am the Assistant center Director at Mathnasium of Pittsford-Brighton and have been with the center in various roles since 2017. Prior to my time in Rochester, I also was an instructor at a Mathnasium center in Langhorne, PA.
I have enjoyed math for a long time, but like many of our students, I've had struggles too. I didn't figure out long division for a full year after most of my other classmates did. I was almost dropped from honors algebra because I was on the verge of failing. And if we go way back, I had to re-do kindergarten because I didn't quite take to it the first time. So when a student tells me they failed a test and it's the end of the world, I can look them in the eye and tell them I repeated a grade where naptime was a part of the daily schedule. I think it's important that students know that everyone struggles. No one is born knowing how to add negative numbers or solve quadratic equations. The important thing is to keep trying and never be afraid to ask for help!
I always had great teachers to help me along the way, which inspired me to continue their work for the next generation of students. I graduated with honors from Penn State Erie with degrees in Pure Math and Math Education. I have taught in the classroom, tutored students from kindergarten to adults, and of course instructed at Mathnasium. Educating is it's own reward for me and I feel very lucky to have worked with so many students over the years.
Outside of Mathnasium I enjoy spending time with my wife and our newborn son. In my free time (which there has been suspiciously less of since becoming a father), I enjoy movies, podcasts, and running.

Miss Sav

Hi, I’m Sav and am currently a sophomore at Monroe Community College pursuing a B.A. in Business Administration with a concentration in accounting. I graduated from Brighton High School in 2022, where I completed up to AP Calc AB in math, scoring a 5 on the AP exam, as well as scoring a near perfect score (790) on the math sections of the SATs. From a young age, I was enrolled in a program very similar to Mathnasium, and though my seven-year old self was not happy with my parents for making me do extra math outside of school, I truly realized the value of the program as I grew up. I was able to work on improving my math skills in a non-judgement environment where I learned that it’s okay to make mistakes and ask for help! Through this experience, I have become confident with my math skills, but more importantly have come to enjoy math. I love the way there is a definite right answer, but many different methods to get to it. Like many other students, I have gone through many challenges and roadblocks when it comes to math, and I had great tutors and teachers to support me. As a member of the Mathnasium team, I strive provide the same support I was fortunate to receive in order to help students become more confident in their abilities, enjoy math, and realize that mistakes are perfectly okay to make. Outside of Mathnasium and the classroom, I enjoy volunteering, hanging out with my friends, and baking. I have found that treating myself to a brownie after a complicated math problem is the best kind of reward.

Miss Molly

I am in my 5th year of teaching. I have had many different positions throughout my previous 4 years of teaching. I have taught 8th grade Math, Math AIS (Academic Intervention Services), Regents Algebra 1 [for 8th Grade students], Regents Algebra 2 and Intermediate Algebra. This year I am teaching full time at a BOCES in Batavia as a Math Consultant Teacher for the Career & Tech program. So I work to incorporate high school commencement level Math standards into trade programs such as Cosmetology, Criminal Justice, Welding, Automotive work, etc. As far as my educational background, I graduated from SUNY Fredonia in December 2017 with a Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics and Mathematics Education (grades 7-12). I completed my Master's Degree in Mathematics Education (7-12) at SUNY Brockport back in December 2022. I first came across Mathnasium when I interned with them in the summer of 2015, and then returned as a part-time Instructor in the summer of 2020 and have stayed here ever since!

Mr. Kevin

I am a sophomore at Sutherland High School. I'm currently taking Pre-Calculus. I've always enjoyed math because of the way logic can be used to break down and solve problems that interest me. I also find it fascinating how math can be applied to nearly everything. Outside of math, I enjoy playing chess and have participated in multiple tournaments.

Mr. Karthik

Hi, I'm Karthik, a junior at Pittsford Mendon High School, and I will be taking multivariable calculus this year. I enjoy math because of the fact that it can be understood by people of all backgrounds, and also how most things in science and the world around us relate back to science. Whether it be the Fourier series when I play my viola or the Fibonacci spiral looking at the nature, math is everywhere and I hope to share my passion with students at the Mathnasium. Outside of math, I enjoy coding, playing tennis, and playing chamber music with my quartet groups and ensembles.

Miss Sophia

Sophia earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics as well as her Initial Certification in Adolescence Education from SUNY Geneseo. As a high school teacher, she has taught Geometry, Algebra II, Pre-Calculus, and Calculus. Sophia is currently enrolled in the Mathematics graduate program at SUNY Brockport. She hopes to obtain her doctorate in Mathematics as well and become a professor of Mathematics. Sophia began working at Mathnasium in October of 2023 and enjoys sharing her love of math with students at a variety of ages and levels.

Mr. Musa

Hi, I'm Musa, an upcoming junior at Pittsford Mendon High School, and I will be taking AP Calculus BC this year. Through Mathnasium, I aim to enable students to grow a passion for math in the same way I did, via teachers who supported me and challenged me throughout my journey in this complex subject. Outside of Mathnasium, I enjoy playing tennis, running, working out, and partaking in school clubs such as Model UN and DECA.

Mr. Kyle

I am an alum from Monroe Community College, where I earned my Associates Degree in Mathematics. I have always found the subject of math to be interesting and enjoyable, and I aim to convey to students at Mathnasium that it can be the same for them. I believe that understanding and learning become easier when there is a genuine interest in the subject. Outside of academics, I am very active and have participated in various adult leagues and sports teams, including basketball, flag football, softball, and even dodgeball. Additionally, I enjoy trivia and playing board games with my family and friends.

Miss Julianna

Hi, I’m Julianna. I earned a Bachelor’s Degree with Honors in pure math at CUNY Hunter College and am currently pursuing my Master’s Degree in color science at RIT. Previously I have worked at the NYC Mathnasiums and am excited to continue up here in Rochester. I enjoy math since it is the same all over the world, acting as a universal language across cultures. For me, teaching math is all about the aha moment when the method finally clicks. Outside of math, I enjoy playing the violin and reading thrillers.

Mr. Adam

I am a former-Mathnasium student, and a junior attending Brighton High School. I am currently enrolled in AP Calculus AB, and I am passionate about all things math & computer science.

Mr. Mikail

Mikail Is a sophomore at Saint John Fisher University studying pre-medicine and psychology. He also plays for the Saint John Fisher tennis team in singles and doubles. In his free time, Mikail likes to work on cars, stock trading, and basketball. In addition, Mikail likes to devote his time outside of school and work to tennis by going to the gym daily and training for tennis. He hopes to become a psychiatrist so that he can make a difference in his community and help people who struggle with mental health.

Mr. Aariv

I’m Aariv, a senior at Pittsford Sutherland High School and will be an engineering major at Cornell University next year. I’ve loved math ever since kindergarten and enjoy observing how this tool can be used to explain real world phenomena. I have taken two years of calculus (BC and multivariable) as well as linear algebra at the U of R and have explored their applications through creating mathematical simulations and engaging in courses like economics, statistics, physics, biology, and chemistry. As an elementary schooler, Mathnasium had instilled me with my initial fondness for the subject, and I want to pass this excitement down to other kids and have done so for the past two years! In my free time, I also enjoy practicing tennis, playing the piano, skiing, and travelling.

Miss Ashley

Ashley O’Brien is a proud Spartan hailing from Michigan State University who holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics with a Minor in Environmental and Sustainability Issues. While she was a student, she also worked in the MSU Math Learning Center, tutoring her peers in classes such as College Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus, Calculus I, II, & III. She later became a Teaching Assistant for the Math Department where she lectured for College Algebra and Survey of Calculus. Ashley was also a Learning Assistant for the Department of Physics during her final year of school and would tutor students and assist in the classroom for Physics as well. Outside of the classroom, she also has two cats at home. Ashley has always had a passion for helping students learn and grow in academia, and is thrilled to be able to do so here at Mathnasium. She is excited to contribute to a community dedicated to helping students gain a better mathematical understanding while connecting with her students through mutual interests. As a member of the Mathnasium team, Ashley strives for students to have fun while “making math make sense."

Mr. Joel

I’m Joel, a freshman at Cornell University. Ever since taking Calculus, I have been fascinated by math–especially how everything comes together and is backed by logic. Because I love math and helping students, I decided to apply to work at Mathnasium, and have loved being an Instructor here since January of 2022. Outside of working at Mathnasium, I love spending my time reading and learning math!