Our Team
Our specially trained math instructors will teach your child how to understand math in an individual setting; our unique approach enables us to explain concepts really well and lend a helping hand to every student. Our tutors foster a caring, encouraging environment that helps kids thrive and learn! Read below to learn more about our talented team:
Mitch Gelfand, Center Director/Owner
Mitch is the Center Director at Mathnasium of Ventura. Prior to opening his Mathnasium center, Mitch worked as a middle school math teacher in the Conejo Valley. Since his days of attending and working at summer camp, he always knew he wanted to work with kids - there is simply nothing like seeing a kid do something for the first time that they did not believe they could do! He has an Master's degree in Education from Azusa Pacific University and a BS in Marketing from the University of Arizona. While Mitch excelled at math as a student, he was always eager to help those around him to improve their math skills because he always understood the importance of math in life. He believes that the Mathnasium Method is the best way for kids to learn and truly understand math and he's excited to bring success to the students of Ventura. Married with 1 fur baby (dog) and one very new human baby (boy), Mitch enjoys the Dodgers all summer and skiing in the winter.
Chris, Assistant Director
What do you like to do when you're not at Mathnasium? I like to work with my hands
Fun fact: I used to 3D print small goodies for friends
Favorite number: 7, because it's an "ugly" prime number that I often look to as a prime other than 5
Favorite math joke: An infinite number of people walk into a restaurant. The bartender asks, "What will it be?" The first says, "One soda please!" The second says, "One half soda, please!" The third says, "One quarter soda, please!" The bartender finally interupts, "OK, OK, 2 sodas coming right up!"
In five years, I will...be finished with school and living in Oregon
Jen, Lead Instructor
Where do/did you go to school? Buena, VC, CSUN, and then got my teaching credential, master's, and doctorate from Cal Lutheran
What do you like to do when you're not at Mathnasium? Work out (Crossfit), walk my dog, travel
Fun fact: I have been to almost every major league baseball stadium - I have less than 5 left to see!
Favorite number: 13. Most people fear the number but it's my lucky number
Favorite math topic: Linear equations and graphing
Favorite math joke: What number does a pumpkin fear? Pi!
In five years, I will...be working with kids and building on helping others with their nutrition and fitness
Kevin, Instructor
Where do/did you go to school? I graduated from UC Riverside with a degree in Applied Mathematics
What do you like to do when you're not at Mathnasium? Read, listen to music, study computer programming and math
Fun fact: I actually applied to college as a creative writing major to begin with
Favorite number: 2, because it forms the basis for binary (computer language), it's the first number in the constant "e", and since we can't all be first, it's not so bad to be 2nd!
Favorite math topic: Complex analysis
Favorite math joke: Why was 6 afraid of 7? Because 7 eight 9!
In five years, I will...be done with my 2nd degree (computer science) and working in the tech industry
William, Instructor
Where do/did you go to school? Oxnard College
What do you like to do when you're not at Mathnasium? Play basketball
Fun fact: I raise turtles for their eggs
Favorite number: 3. Though it's not even, the value feels symmetrical to me!
Favorite math topic: Calculus us fun, though I'm not an expert
Favorite math joke: Teacher: Why are you turning in a blank piece of paper? Student: Because all my answers are imaginary numbers!
In five years, I will...be a math teacher
Laurie, Instructor
Where do/did you go to school? I just graduated from Biola University
What do you like to do when you're not at Mathnasium? Read and spend time outdoors
Fun fact: I danced for 12 years
Favorite number: 7, because it sounds good and odd numbers are better than even numbers!
Favorite math topic: Multiplication
Favorite math joke: What do baby parabolas drink? Quadratic formula
In five years, I will...be an elementary school teacher in Ventura County
Ariella, Instructor
Where do/did you go to school? Graduated from Cornell University. Currently getting my Master's at USC
What do you like to do when you're not at Mathnasium? Work on original music for a musical I wrote
Fun fact: I used to be in the circus (Spanish web and flying trapeze)
Favorite number: 16, because my sister and I were both born on the 16th
Favorite math topic: Logic statements
Favorite math joke: What's the derivative of optimus? Optimus prime!
In five years, I will...be performing in the musical I wrote
Daniel, Instructor
Where do/did you go to school? Santa Barbara City College
What do you like to do when you're not at Mathnasium? Play basketball at the gym nearby, spend time with family and friends
Fun fact: I have run a mile in 4 minutes, 40 seconds
Favorite number: 21, because it was my first number when I started playing basketball, my favorite NFL running back's number, and is similar to my dad's favorite, 41
Favorite math topic: It's currently linear algebra because it is so important to computer science, my major in college
Favorite math joke: Pi and i get in an argument and pi exclaims "C'mon i, get real," to which i responds "Only if you stop being irrational!"
In five years, I will...be a post graduate scholar with a masters in computer science and a bachelor's degree in mathematics
Rachel, Instructor
Where do/did you go to school? Azusa Pacific University
What do you like to do when you're not at Mathnasium? Read and watch movies
Fun fact: I had blue and purple hair for a year
Favorite number: 56, because 56=7x8
Favorite math topic: Abstract algerbra
Favorite math joke: Are monsters good at math? Not unless you Count Dracula!
In five years, I will...be teaching calculus to high schoolers!
Dmitry, Instructor
Where do/did you go to school? California State University Channel Islands
What do you like to do when you're not at Mathnasium? Keep practicing my mathematical skills
Fun fact: I started photographing daily life around me way before it became mainstream
Favorite number: i^i
Favorite math topic: An empty set: where is it located?
Favorite math joke: Why couldn't the angle get a loan? His parents wouldn't cosine!
In five years, I will...be making a 7 figure income with my graduate degree in mathematics!
| Sun | 1:00-4:00 pm |
| Mon | 2:00-7:00 pm |
| Tues | 2:00-7:00 pm |
| Wed | 2:00-7:00 pm |
| Thurs | 2:00-7:00 pm |
| Fri | CLOSED |
| Sat | CLOSED |
Mathnasium of Ventura Reviews
Mar 18 2019
Fractions. If just thinking about them makes you shudder, you’re not alone. For kids who st...