Meet the Team at Mathnasium of St. George

Kassidy Shumway

Kassidy Shumway grew up in Bountiful, Utah, and graduated from Brigham Young University in 2011. While at BYU, Kassidy earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering, was a TA in the math department, and also found time to be an All-American and a team captain and member of the BYU Women's Soccer Team. Kassidy has many years of experience coaching children of all ages in soccer. She has been helping students at Mathnasium since January 2013. Kassidy and her husband have two kids and two active dogs.

Fun Fact: I was in a video on YouTube with over 6 million views.

Education: Bachelor of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering from BYU

Why I love Mathnasium: I love helping kids realize that math can be fun. The favorite part of my job is going into elementary schools and putting on Math Nights. Laughing and having fun with kids while we do math is so rewarding!

Reed Brown

Reed has always loved math and enjoys helping kids learn to love math and how to use math in their daily lives. Reed earned a BS of Electrical Engineering degree from Brigham Young University and a Masters of Business Administration degree at Boise State University. Reed has spent over 25 years as a successful engineering and operations executive at Hewlett Packard, Quantum, and Iomega. In 2004, he decided to test his entrepreneurial skills and created Matchbin (now Radiate Media), a successful internet software company. Over the last 10 years, Reed has been active in the Utah technology community. As a member of the Governor's Technology Initiative Advisory Board for the State of Utah, he has helped to grow funding for engineering programs at Utah Universities and Colleges. Reed and his team are committed to helping children grow their interest and confidence in math and prepare them for a successful college education and career in technology, business, finance, medical, manufacturing, science, biology, or other fields that require strong math skills. Fun Fact: I decided to become an Electrical Engineer because of an 8th-grade shop project making a DC motor. Education: Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from BYU and Masters of Business Administration degree from Boise State University

Brandon Hadlock

Some of my favorite math classes I have taken are Calculus 1 (Fall 2021) and Ordinary Differential Equations (Spring 2024). Some things I enjoy doing include competing and performing dance as well as bowl on a frequent basis. In high school I was the first ever male dance sterling scholar for Stansbury High School and went on to compete at the state level. I have done ballroom for about 7 years and I am currently the dance captain for the Utah Tech Ballroom team. Bowling is one of my biggest hobbies. I also collect decks of cards.

Fun Fact: When I tell people I am a frequent bowler the most common question I get is "What's your highest score?" I used to only be able to say I have gotten 3 - 267's, but now I have gotten a 279 which was 9 strikes in a row before missing one pin and sparing/striking again.

Favorite Number: 17 is my favorite number. It is such an interesting prime number that honestly is different than any other number we use in math.

Education: I will be graduating in Spring 2025 with my Bachelor of Science in Secondary Mathematics Teacher Education. This will be an add-on to my Honors Associates of Science I received in Spring 2023.

Why I love Mathnasium: I enjoy working at Mathnasium because you can really tell when the students start to get what they didn't understand before. Students have that ah-ha moment and it is truly amazing to see them start to enjoy something they didn't even like to look at before.

Brady Postma

Brady has taken Calculus, Statistics, and Computer Science courses. He also used to participate in LAN parties. Some of his favorite hobbies are reading, learning about U.S. history, and what he calls "nerd stuff." He also loves Snickers (especially mini Snickers), Panda Express, and Barnes & Noble.

Fun Fact: In 7th grade, I got second place in the state competitive math test. The guy that got first place was a classmate and friend of mine. We got our names in the local paper.

Favorite Number: Pi

Education: I went to Pineview High School and Dixie State University.

Why I love Mathnasium: Once you get the hang of it, math is beautiful, exciting, even creative and artistic. I want more people to grow up knowing that delight.

Caleb Adams

Caleb has taken Pre-Calculus, Trigonometry, Statistics, Calculus 1, and Calculus 2. In high school he was on the Cross Country & Track teams, and was a member of the Washington City Youth Council. He loves puzzles! Jigsaw puzzles, Rubik's cubes, Sudoku, pretty much any puzzle! He also loves anything outdoors! Running, swimming, and hiking especially.

Fun Fact: I can say the alphabet backwards. I also have 33 digits of pi memorized.

Favorite Number: My favorite number is 14! When I was a freshman in high school the joke between my friends and I was that if we didn't know the answer on a math assignment, then the answer was 14.

Education: I graduated from DSU Success Academy in 2020 and am currently studying Marketing and Web Design at Utah Tech University.

Why I love Mathnasium: I love math! But I feel like math gets a bad rap sometimes, so I hope I can help the kids see how great and fun math really is!

Emma Ripley

I've taken up through Math 3 (about the equivalent of college algebra), math 1050, and am scheduled to take 1040 next semester. I am on the presidency of the Service Club, I was the president of the badminton club last year, I am part the social deductions club and I am on the seminary council! I like baking cakes, playing badminton, reading, and spending time with my family.

Fun Fact: I love making fascinators and I have a lot of them!

Favorite Number: 24, it's the year I graduate and it's a nice, round number. Also, since a lot of teachers assign numbers based on last names, I'm often number 24!

Education: I'm a senior at Desert Hills High school!

Why I love Mathnasium: It seems like a good place to work because they are actually doing good in the world.

Peter Vasilik

I have taken Honors PreCalc, am a member of the Computer Science Honor Society and Code Camp. I enjoy piano, baking, and playing with Desmos.

Fun Fact: I like number theory!

Favorite Number: 42, because It is the answer.

Education: I go to Crimson Cliffs High School and will graduate in 2025.

Dana Steinhorst

I've tutored classes through Multivariable calculus and differential equations and taken math up to Complex Analysis (calculus with imaginary numbers!). I played volleyball, basketball, and track all through high school, then went on to coach all three. I was also on the BYU racquetball team! I have tutored math for the last 15 years. I worked in the BYU tutoring center helping with upper level math classes for two years while in college. I then went on to teach high school math and just finished my 8th year. I love to mountain bike, paddle board, play/coach volleyball, rock climb, roller skate and rescue cats!

Fun Fact: I've been sky diving and bungy jumping!

Favorite Number: My favorite number is 2 because it is the only even prime number.

Education: I got my Bachelors from BYU in 2016 and double majored in Math and Math Education and minored in PE and coaching. I also got my Masters degree from BYU in 2022 in Math Education.

Why I love Mathnasium: I love math and I love helping young people understand and love math too!

Karen Peterson

I took pre-calculus in HS and then calculus and trigonometry in college. I was originally planning on being an accountant, so I also took statistics, but I eventually changed to Education. I was class VP my Senior Year in HS. I ran in 3 half marathons and 1 marathon, plus a Ragnar Race. I am a certified teacher and can teach grades Kindergarten thru 5th and Middle School Math 6-9th. I ran a preschool business in my home for 4 years. I have played women's community volleyball and our team took 1st place, twice. I enjoy the outdoors, hiking, kayaking, and being in nature. I enjoy reading. I love playing math games. I love to dance, play volleyball and pickle ball. I love to travel, and I especially love Disneyland and the ocean.

Fun Fact: I am slightly ambidextrous. I can do many things either left or right- handed.

Favorite Number: Number 7. I was born as number seven in my family, maybe that's why I like that number.

Education: I went to Roseville High School in California. I attended Brigham Young University and received my BS in Education. I went to Utah Tech University and received my Middle School Math Endorsement

Why I love Mathnasium: There is nothing more that I enjoy than helping students learn. I believe all students have the ability to learn math if they are given the proper tools, guidance and confidence to grasp the language of math.

Celeste Nielson

I have taken math up to Honors Precalculus and am taking AP Calculus this year. I am currently the Book Club President and Creative Writing Club President. I have also been Student of the Year at Crimson in AP Psychology, AP Environmental Science, Language Arts, and Theater. I also am competing in SkillsUSA for Advertising Design and am a member of HOPE Squad! I love reading, especially when it comes to the classics and nonfiction books on history and psychology. Music is a crucial element of my life whether it be playing guitar, collecting vinyl records, singing, or going to concerts! I spend extra free time watching movies and enjoying time with friends.

Fun Fact: I'm left-handed.

Favorite Number: My favorite number is the number 4 because I love even numbers. The brain also has 4 different lobes.

Education: I am a Crimson Cliffs High School senior and will graduate in 2025.

Why I love Mathnasium: I love being able to help others, especially when it comes to education. I have realized the importance of being excited to learn and I love getting the opportunity to help others find that passion.

Kellee Wyse

I’ve taken elementary education math classes in college and I like to swim and spend time with my family.

Fun Fact: I have twin daughters

Favorite Number: My favorite number is 13. It was the day my daughters were born.

Education: I have a bachelors in elementary education from Northern Arizona University and my masters in curriculum and instruction from Grand Canyon University

Why I love Mathnasium: I’m looking forward to working with the students and watching them grow and grasp concepts from the help and curriculum of Mathnasium.

Jordynn Boteler

I've taken calculus in college about two years ago. In high school, I was in student council as well as the softball team. I graduated high school with my associates degree. I am a senior in college and I have gotten multiple academic scholarships and have been on the deans list multiple times. I have tutored all throughout high school. I also worked for a Boys and Girls Club previously. I enjoy hiking with my dog and I oil paint.

Fun Fact: I once owned 52 hamsters.

Favorite Number: 15 because it was mine and my older sisters softball jersey number.

Education: I go to school at Utah Tech and I am in my senior year. I major in integrated studies emphasizing in English and Humanities & Philosophy.

Why I love Mathnasium: I enjoy teaching and working with youth. It is a fun and interactive environment!