Insights from a Mathnasium of Spokane South Instructor

1. What is the most common thing you see in new students coming to Mathnasium for the first time?

A: A lot of new Mathnasium students struggle with confidence and asking for help. With COVID, many students were unable to get the specific help they needed to learn new concepts and slipped through the cracks. I see many students who really want to do well and understand, but are simply so frustrated they don't know where to start.

2. If there was one thing you could tell parents before they bring their student to Mathnasium what would it be?

A: Something I would tell parents before they come in is that Mathnasium is not a quick fix. It's here to help fill in the gaps of math learning while being fun! Encourage their students to ask questions, participate in the activities and just try their best. There is no pressure to go a certain speed, it's self paced.

3. What things do the most successful students have in common?

A: The most successful students come to Mathnasium consistently! At least 2-3 times per week! Another trait is knowing when to ask for help! This is sometimes very hard to do in a normal classroom environment so learning to talk with your instructors makes for the best progress.

4. What are some of the ways you teach math to your students?

A: While we do have worksheets that explain concepts in words and step-by-step instructions, our instructor are trained and love to explain concepts visually. They use whiteboards, manipulatives and real world examples to help every type of learner here at Mathnasium.

5. What do you think is the coolest thing about Mathnasium?

A: The coolest thing about Mathnasium is the environment we have created here in Spokane. Watching students come out of their shells and start to become passionate about learning because they feel safe and comfortable is a gift I never expected.