Meet the Team at Mathnasium of New Braunfels

Jennifer Speer

Jennifer has a unique perspective that allows her to understand your kids and help them.

She is a successful business owner and homeschooling mom of 3! She has the perspective of an educator as well as a busy parent and knows the challenges of both. Jennifer knows how to engage the kids and hold their interest. She keeps them progressing in math in a way they will actually enjoy!

Jennifer has always had a strong grip on Mathematics, earning her B.B.A in Finance at Southwest Texas State University and then owning and operating a successful business for over 10 years in the Brazos Valley alongside her husband James.

After finding Mathnasium and seeing what it can offer kids, they made a tough decision to sell their successful business with its comfortable lifestyle and start all over again. As scary as that sounds, they knew that parents in the Brazos Valley wanted the best for their children at an affordable price. There was already so much available for the many college students in Bryan/College Station, but not for elementary, middle, and high school students. Now, after being open for several years and expanding to multiple locations, we have hundreds of amazing success stories as a result of our passionate instructors, inspiring learning environment, teaching style and curriculum at Mathnasium! Let us help your student! 

Favorite Math Joke: There are 3 kinds of people in this world... Those who can count, and those who can't.

Fun Fact: Graduated college in 3 1/2 years with a 4.0!

I love Mathnasium because: I get to be a part of a great organization that changes kids' lives! Who wouldn't want to be a part of that?!?

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 curriculas 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.

Lori Miller

The Team Player Award, Spring 2021 & Fall 2021

Lori graduated from DeVRY Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems. She completed all the coursework for a Master's degree in Computer Science at North Central College while working as a software testing engineer at AT&T Bell Laboratories. Lori changed careers to education after moving to Texas, and worked for Comal ISD as an inclusion aid and Special Education Teacher, with students from preschool through twelfth grade. Her last three years were teaching Algebra I, Geometry, and Math Models at Canyon High School. Lori's hobbies include reading all types of fiction, crocheting and knitting for charities, and volunteering at Cross Lutheran Church. She has two daughters, one attending Princeton University, and one working at Mathnasium of New Braunfels.

Favorite Number: 42, because it was my uniform number in high school, and because it was the "Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, The Universe, and Everything" in Douglas Adams's The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series.

In five years, I will be: The mother of two college graduates and the owner of a successful proofreading business.

I love Mathnasium because:We make math fun and understandable!

Andrea Miller

Andrea is an avid baker, successful succulent cultivator, novice orchid caretaker, and sci-fi enthusiast. Her favorite party trick is being able to recite pi to 31 places. She plans to resume pursuing her Bachelor's of Landscape Architecture degree from Texas Tech University in the fall of 2020.

Favorite Number: 42, because it's the answer to life, the universe, and everything. The real question is what is the Ultimate Question.

In five years, I will be: A certified landscape architect who owns a lovable dog.

I love Mathnasium because: I enjoy showing others how much fun math can be!

Jackson Stevens

Jackson is a Junior in high school and loves to play tennis and eat.

Favorite Number: 7, it's annoying but fun to work with!

Favorite Math Joke: I think I saw my math teacher with some graph paper yesterday. He must be plotting something.

In five years, I will be: Hopefully successful!

I love Mathnasium because: It gives great opportunities to help others and allows you to get a unique work experience that few others get to have.

Roman Gonzales

Roman is a student at Canyon Lake High School. He plays baseball and for a travel team. He likes to workout and is a very active person. He likes to learn anything new about math and discover new ways to solve problems. He thinks math is the coolest thing in the world because it is used world wide and crosses all language and cultural barriers.

Favorite Number: 12, because it was my first number on a baseball team.

Favorite Math Joke: Why is 6 afraid of 7? Because 7 8 9!

In five years, I will be: Hopefully graduating college or already graduated and starting my career as a software engineer.

I love Mathnasium because: I love Mathnasium because it is a safe learning atmosphere different from school and lets kids learn math in a new way and have fun doing it.

Jeremiah Briseno

Jeremiah has a simple life, he’s got 2 dogs he loves (although he prefers cats). He goes to school, work, and home. Then every so often he spends quality time with family and friends. Other than that his free time is used to explore his interest in the criminal justice field or of course video games.

Favorite number: 3561, it’s just the last digits of my Xbox name since forever lol!

Favorite math joke: Write the expression for the volume of a thick crust pizza with height "a" and radius "z". Pi • Z • Z • A!

In five years, I will be: Graduated and pursuing criminal justice somewhere I just haven’t quite figured that out yet.

I love Mathnasium because: It gives me the incredible opportunity to give back to the community.

Lauren Hinnen

Lauren is a senior at New Braunfels High School. They enjoy gaming, indoor rock climbing, exercising, anime, manga and spending time with close friends.

Favorite number: 24 is my favorite number since it was my assigned number in 2nd grade and because it’s just a solid number.

Favorite math joke: I had a hen who could count her own eggs. She was a mathemachicken.

In five years, I will be: In five years I will hopefully have graduated college with a bachelors degree in computer science and have gotten a job in that field. Hopefully I will successfully begin paying off my student debts then too.

I love Mathnasium because: The workers are friendly and enjoy their jobs as well as the fact that Mathnasium provides a positive environment to grow and learn in.

Rahul SureshBabu

Rahul enjoys playing Tennis and cooking. He also loves trying new things, and playing his violin and piano.

Favorite number: 0, because it serves as the foundation of the number system.

Favorite math joke: Why did the student wear glasses in math class? ­ To improve di­vision.

In five years, I will be: Starting Med-school and have successfully finished college.

I love Mathnasium because: It's a safe place for kids to nurture their love for math.

Isabella Hickey

Isabella is a junior at Smithson Valley High School where she is a debate captain and active member of the student council. She loves kids and plans on becoming a pediatric oncologist. Her favorite hobbies are hiking, listening to music, re­reading her favorite books, and hanging out with her closest friends.

Favorite number: 27 because my favorite prime number is 3, and 3 cubed is 27, and 27 is 3 away from 20. Therefore making 27 the perfect multiplier of three. As well as the fact that my birthdate only has 2's and 7's in it.

Favorite math joke: See that circle over there? She's so smart, she has 360 degrees.

In five years, I will be: I will be entering my senior year of college as a biology and pre­med student and be planning my applications to medical school and studying for the MCAT.

I love Mathnasium because: I cherish the ability to assist any child on their learning journey and the look on a kid's face when the concept finally clicks is priceless.

Katie Hale

Katie is a senior at New Braunfels High School. She runs cross country and track, draws, and participates in many clubs and extracurriculars. She enjoys spending time with friends, trying new challenges, and adapting to new environments.

Favorite number: 7. It’s the number everyone says if you ask them to pick a number from 1­-10.

Favorite math joke: How do you make seven even? You subtract the “s”.

In five years, I will be: Completing my undergrad for a major in architecture.

I love Mathnasium because: It provides a friendly and safe atmosphere for kids to advance their skills in math.

Lilly Gallaga

Lilly is a junior at New Braunfels High School and enjoys playing the clarinet and biking in her free time. She is a member of the band and has participated in several ensembles and clubs. She has always had a passion for math, both for its logic and for how it can bring people together.

Favorite number: 23 because it is both a happy and evil number. When you continuously add the squares of its digits you will eventually reach 1, making the number happy. When you put 23 in binary expansion there are an even number of 1’s, making it an evil number as well.

Favorite math joke: You know what’s odd? Every other number.

In five years, I will be: Finishing up my senior year of college, pursuing a degree in either math or music.

I love Mathnasium because: It provides a safe and positive environment for students to improve their skills in math while also learning to have fun in the process.