Our Team

Chris Carrion-Alfano, Owner and Assistant Center Director

Chris is the co-owner and Assistant Center Director at Mathnasium of Sayville.  In June 2019, she retired from the Middle Country Central School District after 34 years classroom experience working with students in grades K-7 as a Special Education Teacher.   Chris has been recognized by the district, her peers, and her students’ parents for her unique, highly effective teaching style, team leadership skills, and unwavering dedication to working with and helping challenging students.  In 2019, she was selected by the NY State Board of Regents as one of two finalists for the Helen Bach Moss Memorial Better Beginnings Award, which “recognizes elementary teachers who are gifted in finding and nurturing the strengths of each student and fostering trusting relationships among pupils, parents, teachers, and administrators.”  She was selected by her district's special education department leadership team to leverage her knowledge and experience to facilitate monthly meetings as the Parent Trainer and Counselor for parents of special needs students.  She self-published Animals Can Demonstrate Values Too—a character education book used by teachers as a springboard for discussion alongside school district character education curriculums. Chris holds a Master of Science in Education from Adelphi University (with 90 educational field credits post-Master degree), and a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Dowling College.  Chris is excited about expanding her reach by working with her husband, Rich, to help students in the Sayville, Oakdale, and surrounding communities develop their number sense and gain competence and confidence in their math skills.  Chris is known for inspiring self-confidence and a can-do attitude in her “Cool Cats,” and brings this same energy to Mathnasium of Sayville, where she works with our youngest students and students with special needs, and coaches and trains our staff!

Our Instruction Staff

Our staff consists of highly qualified, experienced, and rigorously trained women and men who must first pass a comprehensive set of verbal and written assessments covering all aspects of mathematics and instruction philosophy before even being considered for a position.

Background checks are an essential part of the hiring process, as is a "trial run" interaction with the students.

Finally, all instructors are required to undergo continuous training.  Our staff not only does an excellent job of teaching math, but they create a positive, enthusiastic atmosphere providing the support and encouragement your child may need.

All of our instructors are passionate about math and love to work with the kids. They are there to help your child succeed in school and in life.

We welcome you to drop by and meet us anytime!

Christian

Favorite Math Topic: Statistics

Fun Fact: One of my hobbies is learning how to solve puzzles such as rubik's cubes.

Favorite Math Joke: Dear Math, I am not a Therapist... Solve your own problems!

Eugene is a student at Queens College, working towards his bachelors degree in secondary math education.  In 2017, he graduated from William Floyd High School, where he took all honors classes throughout his high school career, including BC Calculus. He was also heavily involved in the school's Math Club and Quiz Bowl Team. Prior to joining Mathnasium of Sayville in June 2020, Eugene gained experience teaching in all levels of math at other Mathnasiums for 3 years. Eugene studies hard at Queens College during the academic school year and works hard at our learning center to help our students dominate math all year long!

Favorite Math Topic: Calculus

Favorite Movie Quote: “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.”

Fun Fact: I played baseball my entire life and am still a massive fan of the game. Go Yankees!

Favorite Mathematician: Pythagoras

Favorite Shape: Diamond

Favorite Number: 25

Alaina is a student at SUNY Binghamton pursuing a degree in Chemistry. In 2020, she graduated from Connetquot High School, where she was a member of the marching band, as well as the track and cross country teams. Alaina was enrolled in BC Calculus during her senior year and completed honors coursework throughout her time in high school. Math has always been her favorite subject and she hopes to help students discover their own love for the subject.

Favorite Math Topic: Sequences and Series

Favorite Number: 26

Favorite Math Joke: What do baby parabolas drink? Quadratic formula.

Fun Fact: I’ve been to 8 places outside of the U.S.

Simon received his B.A. in Philosophy from Cornell University in 2018. He is most interested in topics in Logic, Philosophy of Science and the History of Philosophy and is planning to pursue a PhD in Philosophy. His interest in Mathematics started in high school where he took math courses through AP Calculus AB and continued in college where he took math courses through Multivariable Calculus and Linear Algebra as well as several courses in Mathematical Logic. He has participated in many competitions including the  Putnam Competition and University of Rochester Mathematical Olympiad and has also participated in an undergraduate research project on a topic in Dynamical Systems. Simon thinks math is useful, interesting and sometimes beautiful.  He hopes to help others cultivate their mathematical and reasoning abilities and hopes they too might see beauty in the subject.

Favorite Math Topics: Mathematical Logic, Dynamical Billiards

Favorite Mathematician: Tadashi Tokieda

Favorite Number: 213

Favorite Math Related Movie: The Imitation Game

Favorite Shape: Möbius Band

Hobbies: Music, Basketball, Chess, Bowling