Meet the Team at Mathnasium of Sayville

Chris Carrion-Alfano

Chris is the co-owner and Assistant Center Director at Mathnasium of Sayville. In June 2019, she retired from the Middle Country Central School District after 34 years classroom experience working with students in grades K-7 as a Special Education Teacher. Chris has been recognized by the district, her peers, and her students’ parents for her unique, highly effective teaching style, team leadership skills, and unwavering dedication to working with and helping challenging students. In 2019, she was selected by the NY State Board of Regents as one of two finalists for the Helen Bach Moss Memorial Better Beginnings Award, which “recognizes elementary teachers who are gifted in finding and nurturing the strengths of each student and fostering trusting relationships among pupils, parents, teachers, and administrators.” She was selected by her district's special education department leadership team to leverage her knowledge and experience to facilitate monthly meetings as the Parent Trainer and Counselor for parents of special needs students. She self-published Animals Can Demonstrate Values Too—a character education book used by teachers as a springboard for discussion alongside school district character education curriculums. Chris holds a Master of Science in Education from Adelphi University (with 90 educational field credits post-Master degree), and a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Dowling College. Chris is excited about expanding her reach by working with her husband, Rich, to help students in the Sayville, Oakdale, and surrounding communities develop their number sense and gain competence and confidence in their math skills. Chris is known for inspiring self-confidence and a can-do attitude in her “Cool Cats,” and brings this same energy to Mathnasium of Sayville, where she works with our youngest students and students with special needs, and coaches and trains our staff!

Alaina

Alaina is a student at SUNY Binghamton pursuing a degree in Chemistry. In 2020, she graduated from Connetquot High School, where she was a member of the marching band, as well as the track and cross country teams. Alaina was enrolled in BC Calculus during her senior year and completed honors coursework throughout her time in high school. Math has always been her favorite subject and she hopes to help students discover their own love for the subject.
Favorite Math Topic: Sequences and Series
FavoriteNumber: 26
Favorite Math Joke: What do baby parabolas drink? Quadratic formula.
Favorite Fun Fact: I’ve been to 8 places outside of the U.S.

Simon

Simon received his B.A. in Philosophy from Cornell University in 2018. He is most interested in topics in Logic, Philosophy of Science and the History of Philosophy and is planning to pursue a PhD in Philosophy. His interest in Mathematics started in high school where he took math courses through AP Calculus AB and continued in college where he took math courses through Multivariable Calculus and Linear Algebra as well as several courses in Mathematical Logic. He has participated in many competitions including the Putnam Competition and University of Rochester Mathematical Olympiad and has also participated in an undergraduate research project on a topic in Dynamical Systems. Simon thinks math is useful, interesting and sometimes beautiful. He hopes to help others cultivate their mathematical and reasoning abilities and hopes they too might see beauty in the subject.
Favorite Math Topics: Mathematical Logic, Dynamical Billiards
Favorite Mathematician: Tadashi Tokieda
Favorite Number: 213
Favorite Math Related Movie: The Imitation Game
Favorite Shape: Möbius Band
Hobbies: Music, Basketball, Chess, Bowling

Samantha

Sam is a student at SUNY Binghamton, majoring in Mathematics. She took multiple honors level courses in High School, including AP Calculus BC. She has spent her school years involved in the marching band and the Model UN. She has had a great love for math since childhood and is aiming to become a high school math teacher. Sam wishes to help students see that math can actually be quite fun.
Favorite number: 13
Favorite math topic: Factoring polynomials
Favorite shape: Cylinder

Rachel

Rachel is a student at Binghamton University studying Biomedical Engineering. In 2019, she graduated from Bayport-Blue Point High School, where she was a member of the band and Science Olympiad club. Rachel studied AP Calculus AB and AP Statistics during her senior year. Math has been her favorite subject in school since childhood. Rachel hopes to make math fun for all students!
Favorite Math Topic: Statistics
Favorite Number: 20
Favorite Math Joke: How does a mathematician plow fields? With a pro-tractor.
Favorite Shape: Circle

Ben

Ben received his B.S. in Applied Mathematics & Statistics at Stony Brook University in 2022. He was a peer mentor while at Bayport-Blue Point High School taking AP Calculus AB. At Mathnasium, his goal is to help students be successful for their later studies and future careers.
Favorite Math Topic: Statistics
Favorite Number: 74
Favorite Math Joke: Why can't circles construct arguments? Because they have no points!

Joey

Joey is a student at Stony Brook University studying Physics. In 2018, he graduated from Sayville High School. As a high school student, he was a member of the Sayville HS bowling team as well as the Wind Ensemble and the Quiz Bowl team. He aims to ensure that all students excel in mathematics as well as enjoy the process of learning math.
Favorite Math Topic: Calculus
Favorite Number: 17
Favorite Math Joke: What’s the square root of 2? While it may be irrational, it sure is radical!
Favorite Shape: Hexagon

Sarah

Sarah is a student at Connetquot High School, and will soon be a student at Quinnipiac University in the fall of 2023 studying psychology and elementary education. While in high school, she was a member of her school’s Kickline and Colorguard, as well as National Honor Society and Future Teachers of America Club. Math has always been her favorite topic in school. She aims to help all students learn and grow in mathematics, and to show students how they can use their math knowledge to help them in the future.
Favorite Math Topic: Algebra 2.
Favorite number: 20.
Favorite Math Joke: Why is 6 scared of 7? Because 7 8 9.
Favorite Shape: Circle

Amanda

Amanda is a student at Hofstra University studying Geology and Secondary Science Education. In 2020, she graduated from Connetquot High School where she took all honor-level math classes, including AP Calculus BC. Math has always been one of her favorite subjects throughout school since solving math problems feels like solving puzzles! At Mathnasium, Amanda hopes to help students enjoy learning while growing their math skills.
Favorite number: 4
Favorite Math Joke: What keeps a square in one place? Square roots.
Favorite Shape: circle