Meet the Team at Mathnasium of Spanish Fork

Hannah Gibson

Hannah has taken algebra 1, geometry, pre-calculus, and calculus. She played soccer in high school and has tutored a girl through algebra 1. Hannah enjoys listening to music and painting.

Fun fact: I am a twin

Favorite Number: My favorite number is the one that pops into my head so it changes every time I'm asked

Education: Graduated high school in 2018

Why I love Mathnasium: I love working with children.

Jay Talbot

I have taken Trigonometry, Multivariable and Integral Calculus, Linear Algebra and Matrices, and Statistics. I was the former president of the Utah Scholastic Chess Association, Math Olympiad coordinator, Spelling Bee organizer, and Timberline master. I have taught middle school math full and part-time for 7 years. I am an avid board gamer, content creator, and enjoy anime, alternative music, reading, and writing.

Fun fact: I like to crack jokes a lot.

Favorite Number: i, because it's our attempt to comprehend the impossible

Education: I attended Ricks College, graduated from BYU, and did some post-graduate work at UVU. I majored in English, with minors in business and communications.

Why I love Mathnasium: I like helping students understand that they are better at math than they think.

Omar Beltran

Omar has taken Algebra 1 and 2, Geometry, Precalc, Calculus 1-3, linear algebra, economic statistics, and probability. He started a chess club "Tuesday Knights Chess" that meets in Provo every Tuesday night. Omar also enjoys powerlifting and CrossFit. He was a Mathnasium Instructor for 4.5 years in Arizona as well as a teaching assistant at the University of Arizona. Omar frequently travels outside the state for chess tournaments and he loves to be active, lift weights, run, and play sports.

Fun fact: My Birthday March 14th which is Pie day. I think this is the only reason I like math.

Favorite Number: 74. I was born on the 74th day of the year

Education: University of Arizona. MS in Economics, BS in Math. Graduated 2017

Why I love Mathnasium: I really enjoy working with students and helping them overcome their "fear of math". It is extremely rewarding to see their growth, both their skills and confidence, throughout the program.

Timothy Keith

Timothy Keith was born and raised in Utah and is currently studying math at BYU. He studied AP Calculus and Statistics in high school, and in college has studied calculus III, analysis, linear algebra, probability theory, and topology. Besides math, Tim's favorite subjects are history and social studies, and he also loves reading and playing the trombone. He used to play football and still loves to watch and play sports. He is currently trying to perfect his homemade pasta recipe.

Fun fact: I can speak a language spoken by less than .0014% of the world.

Education: Studying math at BYU

Why I love Mathnasium: When I was in high school, I had a calculus teacher who got me excited to learn as much math as possible, and I hope to help the kids of Utah feel as excited about math as I do.

Lucie Green

I have taken Math II Honors and currently in Math III Honors (Pre-Calculus). Next year I will be taking AP Calculus. I used to compete in Math Olympiads, currently in FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America), have a high P-SAT score, and have a 3.9 cumulative GPA. I have been invited to a rigorous academic summer camp based on my P-SAT score. I have been a volunteer math tutor to peers and younger students. I have cared for many children for years, and think that hanging out with energetic kids can be quite awesome. I love belting out Harry Styles songs, binge reading new book series, and taking care of my cyclamen plant Alfred.

Fun fact: Sometimes when I hiccup, I sound like a pterodactyl.

Favorite Number: My favorite number is 4. It's the perfect square of 16 and even. It just feels right to my brain.

Education: I am a Sophomore at Springville High School.

Why I love Mathnasium: I love to help people understand and enjoy new ideas. Making learning enjoyable is a strong value of mine. Working with others to figure things out is fun!

Matthew Walker

I have taken 1060, and AB Calculus. I scored a 5 on my AP exam for calculus. I am currently taking Accounting I and BC Calculus. I got a 36 on my math ACT score, and I won $50 in a piano competition. I love to play the piano, especially when I am working on an exciting piece. I also love computer science. I spend a several hours programming every week.

Fun fact: I like camping.

Favorite Number: Zero is my favorite number. It greatly simplifies almost any equation while also having several surprising abilities.

Education: I am a senior in at American Leadership Academy.

Why I love Mathnasium: I love explaining math. Helping people understand a challenging topic is fun.

Soren Turner

I have taken AP calculus AB, which I got a 5 on and I’m currently taking AP Calculus BC. I’m on the Spanish Fork Youth City Council, where I help plan and run service activities throughout the city. I also play on the Spanish Fork high school boys tennis team. I currently am an engineering intern at US Synthetic, where I get to improve my engineering skills. I like to play tennis, and I also like to play the cello, which I play for the Spanish Fork high school orchestra. I also like designing things to 3D print.

Fun fact: I collect small instruments. Right now I have a ukulele, an otamatone, a kalimba, and an ocarina.

Favorite Number: My favorite number is pi, because you see it everywhere, especially in places you wouldn’t expect. When I first learned about pi, I thought it would rarely appear, but the more I learn about different branches of math, the more I see it. It shows how math is all connected.

Education: I’m currently a senior at Spanish Fork High School, and will be graduating in May.

Why I love Mathnasium: I love how impactful this job is. Every day I work, I get to help kids grow and learn to love math, and I really feel like I’m making a difference.

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 is 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: Decided to become an Electrical Engineer because of 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

Kassidy Shumway

Kassidy Shumway grew up in Bountiful, Utah and graduated from Brigham Young University in 2011. While at BYU, Kassidy earned a Bachelor's 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: Is 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. My 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!