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:

Karen De Silva, Education Director

Karen directed our first Mathnasium center in Newton where she created many of our parent communication systems, instructor training, and member support systems.  We are so thrilled to have her back as Center Director of the Wellesley center.  Formerly an Elementary School teacher, Karen has a love for learning and teaching and strongly believes that an accurate assessment of a student’s strengths and weaknesses, together with an individualized teaching approach, is very effective in developing any child’s math skills.

Myrtha Chang, Owner/General Manager

Myrtha received her math education in Singapore. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Science degree in Information technology from M.I.T., Cambridge, MA. After a rewarding career in information systems, Myrtha is excited to open the first Mathnasium Center in the Boston area. As a Newton parent, she understands first-hand the high value families in the community put on education, especially in the area of Math, which will drive the majority of our children's careers. Having been schooled under the Singapore Math curriculum—with its strong emphasis on basic core skills—and now having children in the Newton public school system, Myrtha is familiar with the strengths and weaknesses of the traditional core skills approach vs. modern explorative approach.

Larry Martinek, Chief Instructional Office, HQ

Larry has spent his entire career finding a better way to teach math. From inner city to 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 designed to help students and teachers learn math more effectively. He has trained teachers in the art and science of boosting student's ability to "do" math, thereby increasing student's math scores and feeling of self-worth. Larry is the developer of Mathnasium's educational program - one of the most comprehensive and innovative curriculums ever produced for teaching math.