Our Team at Mathnasium of Yorba Linda

Michelle Z.

My name is Michelle Zhou, and I am the Center Director at Mathnasium of Yorba Linda. I graduated from Biola University with a degree in Theater and Theater Education, which allowed me to combine my love for the arts with my passion for teaching.Before joining Mathnasium, I worked as a kindergarten teacher and a children’s theater director. These experiences shaped my deep commitment to child development and creative learning. I am strongly passionate about educating the younger generation in both the arts and academic subjects.My goal at Mathnasium is to create a safe, warm, and encouraging environment where students can develop a genuine passion for math and learning. I believe children should build their love for learning through problem-solving, because it strengthens confidence, critical thinking skills, and perseverance. When students grow in their problem-solving abilities, they gain the confidence and skills they need to move forward successfully in school and in their future careers.

Sophia P.

Sophia is a Lead Instructor and first-year student at California State University, Fullerton, majoring in Mathematics with a concentration in Teaching. She aspires to become a high school math teacher and loves seeing students light up when a tough concept finally makes sense.  

Building strong connections with learners and helping them build confidence through understanding is one of her favorite parts of teaching. When she’s not teaching, she likes drawing, singing, playing the ukulele, and winding down with books, music, or a favorite movie.

Niki K.

Niki has graduated from UC Riverside with a B.S. in General Applied Mathematics and is currently a first year graduate student at CSUF working to obtain her M.S. in Computational Applied Mathematics. She has around 10 years of tutoring experience in both K-12 and college level math, and has previously worked at another Mathnasium center for about 3 years. She has always credited her success in understanding math to her tutors growing up, and wishes to be the same influence to kids who are currently struggling now. Her passion in helping others and having them bridge the gap between the unknown and the "aha" lightbulb moment is what drives her to always come back to instructing. In her free time, she enjoys going to concerts/music festivals, reading, and playing video games.

Patrick K.

Patrick is currently a second year student at Irvine Valley College planning to transfer to a 4 year university to either major in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering. After getting his degree, Patrick hopes to work in an industry where the work being done there can positively impact people. With a strong passion in math and knowing first hand the feeling of being left out academically by peers and teachers, Patrick hopes to help students conquer their fears of felling inadequate not just just in school, but in any situations students may face in the future. When not working with students or at school, Patrick can be found playing soccer and basketball with close friends.

Ryan D.

Ryan is currently attending Fullerton College and plans to transfer to a four-year university. He’s aiming for a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, followed by an MBA in Business. While reflecting on his high school days, Ryan remembers the tough nights when he wished for extra help, which sparked his passion for tutoring. He believes that teaching others is an incredible skill to develop. With a strong appreciation for math, Ryan is working hard to become part of a community that helps everyone discover the joy of numbers.

Jonathan S.

Jonathan earned his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of California, Riverside, and brings over 10 years of experience in the tutoring industry. He loves helping students experience their “ah-ha” moment and believes that confidence in math is an important foundation for confidence in every aspect of life.

Outside the center, Jonathan enjoys hiking, camping, and spending time with his family. He loves being outdoors and appreciates the chance to disconnect from the busyness of everyday life and simply enjoy nature and quality time with the people he cares about most.

Corey B.

This is Corey, he is a Grad student at UC Riverside getting his Master’s degree in Computer Engineering. He likes to play instruments and is a father with two kids. He loves math and helping students with difficult material because he was once in their shoes.

Allison D.

Aria S.

Ryan L.

Ryan is a current third year student at Santiago Canyon College, transferring to UC Davis in the fall for environmental engineering before pursuing a masters in the same field. He has experience tutoring students from a wide range of backgrounds ranging from kindergarten through college students. Growing up Ryan was a student at the former Mathnasium location himself and credits his early success in math to the program. His positive experience at Mathnasium growing up led him to return to Mathnasium in hopes of becoming one of the tutors he looked up to as a kid.

Megan W.

Megan is a current Yorba Linda High School senior, in the upcoming fall she plans to attend UC Davis in the fall as a communications major. As a former student at Mathnasium, Megan understands the importance of a helping hand in math concepts and can relate to the frustrations that can come with not understanding math. Through Mathnasium, Megan strives to make every student feel welcome, comfortable, and excited to learn about math in a safe environment. In her free time, she enjoys musicals, spending time with friends, watching movies, and listening to music.

Jacob B.

I am currently a third-year student at Fullerton College and will be transferring to California State University, Fullerton next semester to pursue a degree in biochemistry. I enjoy helping students build confidence in math and working with them to break down difficult problems into manageable steps. I am passionate about making challenging ideas easier to understand and helping students strengthen their problem-solving skills. Outside of tutoring, I enjoy golfing and camping.