Our Team at Mathnasium of Temple

Larry Martinek

Larry has spent his entire career finding a better way to teach math. From inner city public schools, to acclaimed magnet schools, to leading private and parochial schools, Larry has served as both a classroom teacher and as an educational consultant. He has designed curriculum, teaching strategies, and teaching materials to help students and teachers learn math more effectively. He has trained teachers in the art and science of boosting students' ability to “do” math, thereby increasing students' math scores and feeling of self-worth. Larry is the developer of Mathnasium’s educational program – one of the most comprehensive and innovative curricula ever produced for teaching math. While Larry is not an Instructor at our Center, he is a valuable asset we can call on to ask about specific students' scenarios for guidance and advice. This has helped to make visits more productive and enjoyable for many of our students.

Learn more about Larry and Mathnasium here!

Ethan Bruner

Ethan is a Texas native, born in Killeen and has lived around the state his whole life. Though at home here in the Lone Star State, he aspires to experience the world and all it can offer with his best friend and spouse. After graduating from Texas State University with a degree in Music and Technology, Ethan has returned home to continue honing his teaching experience to educate and inspire new generations of inventors, artists, athletes, and more. Ethan’s passion for inspiring creativity and discovery fuels his ability to connect with students and encourage them to explore math with confidence and curiosity.

Favorite number: 299,792,458: the speed in meters per second of light in a vacuum. It is the theoretical speed limit of the universe! "We guarantee certainty, clearly referring to this light mnemonic."

Favorite math joke: Are monsters good at math? Not really, unless you Count Dracula!

In five years, I will be: A homeowner, continuing to build my future and forge my own path. I will have seen several countries and be planning my next adventure!

I love Mathnasium because: There exists countless opportunities to open students' eyes not only to beauty and necessity of math, but to learning as a whole. We're given the chance to understand our learners and inspire them to tackle problems with confidence and enthusiasm.

Makayla Bruner

Makayla  grew up in a military family and lived all over before settling in Central Texas, which she now proudly calls home. She studied History and Entrepreneurship at the University of Texas at Austin and has a passion for all things creative—from cooking and baking to arts and crafts. Makayla is married to her high school sweetheart, and together they are lovingly ruled by their two charming cats.

Favorite Number
14 — it’s her birthday number, and if 7 is lucky, doubling it just feels like a great life strategy!

Favorite Math Joke
Q: Why was 6 afraid of 7?
A: Because 7 8 9!

Five Years From Now
Makayla hopes to be a homeowner, starting a family, and making memories through adventures both big and small.

Why She Loves Mathnasium
Makayla loves that every day brings something new and that she gets to create fun, engaging ways for families to learn about Mathnasium. Planning Parents’ Night Out events and seeing students excited about math makes the job incredibly rewarding.

Kinlee Zickel

Kinlee is a hard-working and dedicated student at Belton High School who enjoys math almost as much as band. She aspires to push her boundaries in educational settings and hopes to make math more enjoyable, and hopefully more fun, for the kids she teaches. As a future graduate of 2026, she hopes to attend Stephen F. Austin University and major in accounting and finance. Kinlee’s enthusiasm and dedication make her a patient and encouraging instructor who supports students as they build confidence and skills.

Favorite number: 13, because it was the day I was born. Besides, who doesn’t like Friday the 13th? 

Favorite math joke: There is a fine line between a numerator and a denominator, but only a fraction would understand. 

In five years, I will be: Graduating from Stephen F. Austin University and securing a freelance accountant position outside of the U.S. 

I love Mathnasium because: It’s a program that not only helps kids learn math, but also teaches them the inner workings of it and as well as what circumstances it will be necessary to in everyday life.

Emily Jeong

Emily is a student at Lake Belton High School who takes part in a variety of different activities. One of her favorite weekend activities is competing in various math competitions alongside her classmates. She also enjoys spending time with her family and friends. Emily’s competitive spirit and team-oriented attitude help her motivate students to engage deeply with math challenges and enjoy learning collaboratively.

Favorite number: 14, because it’s double the luck (two lucky sevens) 

Favorite math joke: Why was the equal sign so humble? Because it knew it wasn’t greater or lesser than anyone! 

In five years, I will be: Attending my dream college alongside many friends! 

I love Mathnasium because: It gives students the opportunity to thrive in a subject that will help them every day.

Cyril Kuhns

Cyril has unique background in math, computer science, education, and the arts. After earning a BA in Math & Computer Science from Bard College, they worked as a computer science teacher, software engineer, tech support agent, and even a tattoo artist. Outside of Mathnasium, Cyril enjoys tutoring at Temple College and spending time with their dog. They love helping students experience those exciting “aha!” moments when math finally clicks.

Favorite number: 20 — because they got married in 2020.

Favorite math joke:
“A dozen, a gross, and a score,
Plus three times the square root of four,
Divided by seven,
Plus five times eleven,
Is nine squared and not a bit more.”

In five years, I will be: Still teaching and learning math.

I love Mathnasium because: I love seeing students finally understand a concept in a way that makes sense to them.

Kay Baker

Kay is a student at Lake Belton High School. She loves to bake and read in her free time. She often strives to be just as academically advanced as her two older brothers were, making it into the top 2% of her class. She graduates in 2026 and after she wants to go to Texas A&M for biomedical engineering. 

Favorite number: 0, because it's easy to start from and is easy to add, subtract, multiply, and divide with. 

Favorite math joke: Why does the obtuse triangle lose every fight? Because he's never right! 

In five years, I will be: At Texas A&M finishing my Biomedical Engineering degree and continuing on to medical school. 

I love Mathnasium because: I like being able to help children and give them the opportunity to further their understanding and love for math.

Elementary Math Experts

Mathnasium of Temple instructors are experts at helping with elementary math topics.  The Mathnasium Method focuses on building a strong foundation in basic math skills by ensuring that students master essential concepts like addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and fractions. Mathnasium helps students develop the math proficiency they need to succeed in more advanced math as they progress.

Mathnasium instructors are trained to identify and address struggles in elementary math early on, helping students develop math confidence and a deep understanding of key concepts. Focusing on elementary math tutoring allows instructors to close gaps in knowledge and build a solid mathematical foundation for future success.

The Mathnasium approach doesn’t just teach students the "how" of math, but also the "why," helping them to avoid common misconceptions that can hinder their progress. This early intervention ensures that students are well-prepared for higher-level math.

By prioritizing math help at the elementary level, Mathnasium provides the essential tools to boost confidence and improve math skills, setting students up for lifelong success in math!

Click here to learn more about our unique Mathnasium Method!

• Mathnasium instructors specialize in elementary math tutoring

• We focus on building a strong foundation in basic math skills

• Mathnasium Instructors are trained to identify struggles and improve math confidence

• The Mathnasium Method helps close knowledge gaps, ensuring students are prepared for advanced math

• Mathnasium teaches both the "how" and the "why" of math to avoid misconceptions

• Early math intervention supports lifelong success in math

Middle School Math Experts

Mathnasium instructors are experts in middle school math tutoring because we know this stage is crucial in building a strong foundation for future success in high school math and beyond. Here’s why our expertise is essential:

1. Bridging Gaps in Math Learning
Middle school math acts as a bridge between elementary concepts and more advanced topics like algebra, geometry, and pre-calculus. There is a strong focus on important concepts such as solving equations, working with variables, and understanding ratios. Mathnasium instructors help identify and address gaps in math skills, ensuring students are well-prepared for high school math.

2. Developing Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking
Problem-solving and critical thinking are essential in math. Mathnasium instructors specialize in helping students develop these skills, ensuring they can approach math problems logically and confidently. This is key to excelling in advanced math and on college entrance exams.

3. Personalized Math Help for Every Student
Mathnasium offers personalized math help to match each student’s unique learning style. Whether students need extra support with visual aids, hands-on practice, or a slower pace, Mathnasium instructors tailor their approach to meet the needs of each learner.

4. Addressing Common Struggles in Middle School Math
Many students face challenges in middle school math, such as working with fractions, negative numbers, and basic algebra. Mathnasium instructors are skilled at helping students overcome these difficulties, offering step-by-step explanations to boost math confidence and understanding.

5. Building Confidence for High School Math
A key part of middle school math tutoring is fostering math confidence. Mathnasium instructors ensure that students feel capable and confident in their math abilities, which is crucial for succeeding in high school math and beyond.

6. Support for Various Math Curricula
Whether students are following a traditional middle school math curriculum, an advanced math program, or something like Common Core Math, Mathnasium instructors provide customized support, helping students succeed in their current math class and be well-prepared for the challenges ahead.

Click here to learn more about how Mathnasium students become Middle School Math Masters!

High School Math Experts

High school math courses include advanced topics that require specialized knowledge and a deep understanding of complex concepts. Our instructors are brilliant, engaging math experts that guide our students through these challenging topics. 

Here's why their expertise is essential:

1. Advanced Math Topics Require Specialized Knowledge
High school math covers subjects like algebra, geometry, trigonometry, calculus, and statistics, which require advanced problem-solving skills. Mathnasium instructors are skilled in teaching these challenging topics, breaking them down into clear, understandable steps that help students succeed in high school math.

2. Preparing for College and Standardized Tests
High school math tutoring is crucial for preparing students for college math and standardized tests like the SAT and ACT. Mathnasium instructors can provide targeted test prep, ensuring students understand the necessary math concepts to perform well on these exams.

3. Filling Gaps in Math Knowledge
Many high school students have gaps in their math knowledge from earlier grades. Mathnasium instructors are experts at identifying these gaps, whether from pre-algebra or earlier, and providing the math help needed to fill them. This ensures that students have a strong foundation for tackling high school-level math.

4. Personalized Instruction for Every Student
High school math tutoring at Mathnasium is personalized to fit each student’s learning style. Whether students need more visual aids, hands-on practice, or a slower pace, Mathnasium instructors tailor their teaching methods to ensure students grasp complex math concepts and succeed in their courses.

5. Building Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills
Problem-solving and critical thinking are key in high school math. Mathnasium focuses on developing these skills, helping students approach complex math problems logically. This not only improves their performance in high school math and on college entrance exams, but also strengthens their overall math problem-solving abilities.

6. Support for Various High School Math Curricula
Whether students are following a Common Core, IB, AP, or another high school math curriculum, Mathnasium instructors provide tailored support that aligns with these programs. They also help students prepare for AP exams and math sections of the SAT/ACT, ensuring they’re prepared for any challenge.

7. Boosting Math Confidence for Success
Math confidence is essential for success in high school math and beyond. Mathnasium not only improves math proficiency but also focuses on boosting students' confidence, empowering them to approach advanced math topics with a positive mindset and excel in their coursework.

Click here to learn more about how we help our high school math students.

Mathnasium instructors are high school math experts because they have the knowledge and experience to help students master advanced math topics like algebra, calculus, and geometry. Their personalized approach ensures students get the math help they need to succeed in high school and test prep for college, setting them up for lifelong success in math!

Experts in Math, ANY Math!

Mathnasium helps students no matter which math curriculum or standards they are using in class.  Our approach provides students with a full understanding of the core concepts of the topic, not just the memorized algorithm.  This sets them up for success in any math class or on any college entrance exam.  Plus, we set aside time to help them with their homework at the end of each session, so we can demonstrate exactly how the skills we practice at Mathnasium apply to their schoolwork.

Click here to learn more about the results of our program!

Our instructors are experienced with a wide range of math curricula and standards, including:

• Eureka Math

• Singapore Math

• IXL

• Saxon Math

• Teaching Textbooks

• Math-U-See

• Common Core

• State Standards

• And more!