Our Whitefish Bay Team

Our staff is built to teach each student individually, to develop the skills they need to thrive in mathematics, and to foster a love of learning.

Whitefish Bay / Our Team

Ann Yurkowitz

Center Director

Welcome! I’m Ann Yurkowitz, the Center Director for Mathnasium of Whitefish Bay. I have a passion and love for teaching and mentoring students. As the Center Director at the Mathnasium of Brookfield for four years, I had the privilege of creating a welcoming learning environment where students successfully built math skills and fostered a love of math! After learning about the Mathnasium Method from my sons who were energetic Mathnasium instructors, I knew Mathnasium was the perfect home for me. I work to develop a true partnership among the student, parents, school, and Mathnasium staff to provide the support a student needs to develop and improve math understanding and achievement. Mathnasium is meaningful to me because students make impressive gains in math, but also improve self-confidence, homework habits, and attitudes toward school. I graduated from Indiana University in Bloomington with a degree in Elementary Education and spent 26 years teaching in the classroom. When I’m not at Mathnasium, I enjoy riding my Cruiser bike, playing cards, and traveling with my family.

Amber Wicklund

Education Director

Howdy! My name is Amber and I'm the Education Director at the Mathnasium of Whitefish Bay. I recently graduated from UW-Whitewater with a degree in Biochemistry, where solving complex problems is the name of the game. Ever since my brother was born paralyzed I have developed a passion for helping students reach their full potential and changing as many lives as possible. I also teach kids instrumentally for the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra (MYSO) and theatrically for Children’s Christian Theater. My hobbies include LEGO building, sports (especially Baseball), playing violin/cello/piano, crocheting, reading, baking, and of course laughing (so come to me with any jokes). Fun fact: a pizza that has a radius “z” and height “a” has volume Pi*z*z*a. Working at Mathnasium is an honor and I look forward to enhancing students’ math skills through 96.95% instruction and 3.05% jokes.

Amy Knox

Community Outreach Director

I am thrilled to be back in Whitefish Bay serving as the Community Outreach Director. For 12 years I taught at Richard's Elementary School as a 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade teacher. I also started the Richard's Running Club and a 4th grade Writing Club. Prior to teaching, I was the Director of Graduate Admissions at Cardinal Stritch University. So, in 2018 I decided to go back to Higher Education and worked at Mount Mary University for 2 years. Now, I am back in Whitefish Bay and feel at home. My family consists of my husband, Ken, and my two boys, Calvin and Jacob. Calvin lives and works in Chicago, and Jacob is graduating from UW-Whitewater with a double major.

Kate Sommerfeld

Director of People and Culture

Hi! My name is Kate, and I’m so excited to be here at Mathnasium! I graduated from UW-Oshkosh with a major in Elementary Education. As a former classroom teacher, I established a deep love of both the teaching/learning process and helping kids reach their full potential. It is gratifying being able to instill a love of learning while being a cheerleader for all of the lightbulb moments! During my time in the classroom, I was fortunate enough to also develop a strong passion for support. Being a positive asset who others feel comfortable seeking out when they need encouragement or personal development is an incredible motivator for me. As long as I’m here at Mathnasium, I will strive to make our instructors, students, and families feel appreciated and supported in whatever ways I can! In my free time, I love reading, watching competitive cooking shows or reality TV, playing board or card games, and spending time with my friends and family!

Rohita Shah

Owner

Hello! I'm Rohita Shah the Owner of Mathnasium of Whitefish Bay. Prior to opening this center in 2015, I enjoyed working as a project associate for the American Orthopaedic Association and doing research in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Rush University Medical Center. I have a Master’s degree in Bioengineering from University of Illinois. With my own children, I experienced both the frustrations of math and the rewards of overcoming the challenges through the Mathnasium method. Therefore, I'm passionate about helping every child truly understand math by teaching it in the way that makes sense to them. More importantly, I'm committed to bringing the Mathnasium Method to the children in the community. When I'm not at Mathnasium, I enjoy cooking, reading, spending time with family and friends, and traveling.

Nick

Lead Instructor

Hello! My name is Nick and I'm an instructor at Mathnasium of Whitefish Bay. I have bachelor’s degrees in Mathematics and History from St. Olaf College, as well as a Master's in Systems Engineering from Cornell University. Currently, I am pursuing another Master's in Public History at UW-Milwaukee and I hope to eventual work in Museum operations or some other History-related profession. Throughout my education, I've been struck by how much you can do with even a little knowledge of math, and one thing I've always loved about learning (and teaching!) it is discovering new ways of applying math in the world around us. Having previously worked as an independent tutor since high school, I love working with kids and especially love sharing that "aha" moment when they figure something out for the first time. I look forward to taking part in many more "aha" moments at Mathnasium.

Fiona

Lead Instructor

Hello! My name is Fiona and I am a lead instructor here at Mathnasium. I began working here during my junior year of high school in Whitefish Bay (I was one of the first high school instructors for our center), but I have recently graduated from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities with a Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education and a Spanish Minor! Within the next few years, my hopes are to become a middle school math teacher, preferably for 7th or 8th grade, and work as a high school soccer coach outside of school. Since I began working here, my passion for math and working with students of all ages has deepened and I hope that I can help all students develop the same love for math that I have!

Jon

Instructor

Hello! My name is Jon and I am an instructor here at Mathnasium. I’ve recently retired after 31 great years teaching middle and high school math and computers here in the Milwaukee area. It’s been outstanding working with so many enjoyable, diverse students over the years, and I'm excited to be at Mathnasium, continuing to help youth discover the wonderful world of mathematics. It’s gratifying to see their faces light up as they move beyond the basics to make higher-level connections and find new ways to apply their knowledge, along the way increasing confidence levels in their math abilities. In my free time I very much enjoy hiking & biking, skiing & snowboarding, and camping & traveling with family and friends. I look forward to helping the spirited students of the community find success here at Mathnasium!

Tali

Instructor

Hi! My name’s Tali and I’m a senior at UW-Milwaukee studying elementary and middle education with a focus in math. Along with working as an instructor at Mathnasium, I spend a lot of time outdoors doing fun stuff like hiking and picnics, hanging out with my friends, reading, and playing my trumpet and guitar! I also really love to cook. I’m super excited to be able to share my love of math with the kids at Mathnasium!

Valerie

Instructor

Hello! My name is Valerie and I’m a student at UWM majoring in psychology with a minor in sociology. I’ve always loved math and originally majored in computer science and electrical engineering before joining the Navy’s nuclear power program. In my spare time I spend time with friends in social settings, playing games and helping others. One of my passions is working with people and figuring out how to help them understand a problem from a new perspective and how to approach funding a solution, so working at Mathnasium is an absolute joy.

Rich

Instructor

Hi! My name is Rich and I'm an instructor at Mathnasium of Whitefish Bay. I worked for 35 years as an actuary, consulting to the largest companies in the country. I also tutor adult students toward their GED through Literacy Services of Wisconsin. While new to Mathnasium, I love working with kids to help them learn math to be successful in school and beyond. I especially like teaching math tricks and the unique Mathnasium approach that gives students a clearer understanding of how to solve math problems. I graduated from the UW - Madison with a degree in Actuarial Science. I have always loved math and knew this was the right field for me very early in life. My two sons are very strong in math, and I’m proud they are also Mathnasium instructors. In my spare time, I like reading, cycling, and volleyball. I have lived in Wisconsin most of my life and am a diehard Packers, Brewers, and Badgers fan!

Tess

Instructor

Hi! My name is Tess, and I’m a senior at Whitefish Bay High School. I love math and working with kids, so Mathnasium is a perfect fit for me! Outside of Mathnasium and school, I swim competitively and play the piano. I also love reading, hiking, and playing with my yellow lab, Murray. I’m very excited to inspire a love of math in other students!

Annabel

Instructor

Hi!!! I’m Annabel. I’m a junior at Whitefish Bay HS. I came from Taiwan almost 1 year ago! Taiwan is where I grew up, and my first language is Mandarin. My dad’s from Whitefish Bay so my English isn’t that bad….it’s getting better. I love math because it’s the same in any country, it’s like a international language!! I don’t have to make any changes where ever I go. I just like solving problems and numbers, they’ve never let me down:) I also love to teach and interact with kids, I'm so thrilled I get to have the chance to let them understand and be not afraid of math. I’m so happy to be joining Mathansium!!!!

Quinn M

Instructor

Hello! My name is Quinn and I'm currently a junior at Whitefish Bay High School. Some other things I enjoy doing outside of working here at Mathnasium include sports such as Soccer and Baseball. Another thing I enjoy doing outside of school is traveling and volunteering in Latin America during the summer. Over the next year, I am hoping to broaden my horizons by participating in theatre and helping kids reach their math goals at Mathnasium!

Lydia L

Instructor

Hello, I’m Lydia and I am a junior at Whitefish Bay High School. Math has always been my favorite subject, and I hope to apply that knowledge towards becoming an engineer someday. I am excited to share my love of math with kids in a fun and happy environment. My other passions are playing volleyball and downhill skiing for my High School teams.

Ben

Instructor

Hello! My name is Ben Plum and I’m an Instructor at Mathnasium of Whitefish Bay. I love to help others understand new and difficult concepts, and can’t wait to work with all sorts of students. Outside of the learning center, I enjoy running, writing for the high school robotics team, and playing D&D. I’m looking forward to seeing new faces at the center!

Elise R

Instructor

Hi! My name is Elise, and I am a junior at DSHA. Outside of working at Mathnasium, I love to stay active, travel, and spend time with family and friends. I play volleyball and tennis, as well as ski. I have always had a profound love for learning, and since I was young, I have been asking questions about why and how things work. I am thrilled to share my love of learning with students at Mathnasium!

AJ

Instructor

Hi! I'm AJ, a junior at Whitefish Bay High School. I have always liked math because it's analytical and involves problem solving. I really enjoy playing club soccer at Bavarians and participating in 5Ks. In my free time, I often play video games, go hiking, and spend time with my family/friends/dogs. I am excited to be part of the Mathnasium team and help others enjoy math as much as I do!

Clare

Instructor

Hi! My name is Clare and I am a senior this year, hoping to major in Elementary Education next year! I love cooking, hiking, and spending time with my family and friends! I love working at Mathnasium and getting to know the students!

Rohit

Instructor

Hello! My name is Rohit, and I am a sophomore at Whitefish Bay High School. If I had to pick a favorite subject, it would be math. Not only do I like math, but I also really like to help others learn and understand it better. On top of that, I like to apply -- as well as seeing it applied -- math to real life like with finance. Besides that, I also like to read, listen to music, cook, and go on walks in the trail with my friends and family. I am so excited to be a tutor at Mathnasium, and I cannot wait to help others love and learn Math!

Elise G

Instructor

Hi! My name is Elise, and I’m a senior at the University School of Milwaukee. I’ve always loved math and working with youth, so I’m excited to be tutoring here at Mathnasium! In my free time, I love exploring, so I enjoy anything outdoors and testing a number of hobbies, like tennis, lacrosse, hiking, and reading. I’m grateful for my teachers who developed my skills and passion for math, and I hope I can help others do the same!

Yana

Instructor

Hi! I'm Yana and a senior at Whitefish Bay High School. For as long as I can remember, math has always been my favorite subject. I feel so blessed to be able to share this passion with students. I love seeing them grow both in their math skills but also in how they feel about the subject. There is nothing more rewarding than when a student not only finally understands a topic, but is excited to explore the concepts further. Outside of school, I participate in both musicals and plays at the high school and do ballet at Milwaukee Ballet School and Academy. I'm so happy to be a part of the Mathnasium team!

Matthew

Instructor

Hi, I am Matthew Noack, a junior at Whitefish Bay High School. Math has always been a favorite subject in school. I love to solve problems and consider the many ways math is used in everyday life. I hope to teach others math in ways that make learning fun! When not at school I love playing competitive sports, piano, violin and spending time with family and friends. I look forward to meeting you at Mathnasium!

Carter

Instructor

Hi I’m Carter Schmidt. I’m a UW-Madison Student majoring in Mechanical Engineering. I’ve been at Mathnasium for a couple years now and I really enjoy it. I don’t just enjoy teaching the kids but also talking to them and getting to experience their unique personalities. Outside of Mathnasium I love golfing, working out, and driving around with friends. Overall, I believe math is important academically and for understanding the world around us. I look forward to seeing you all soon!!

Leora

Instructor

Hi! My name is Leora and I am a sophomore at Brookfield Academy. I’ve always had a passion for math and I’m very excited to be working with kids at Mathnasium. Outside of Mathnasium I enjoy spending time outside with my friends and family, traveling, and walking my dog to the lake. I play soccer, softball, and I run cross country at Brookfield Academy.

Lydia M

Instructor

Hi! My name is Lydia and I am a senior at Whitefish Bay High School. I love math and hope to one day work in the STEM field. I am so excited to work with and help kids develop a passion for math, just like I did when I was a student here. Outside of working at Mathnasium, I enjoy being outside, spending time with friends and family, and I run cross country and track for the WFB high school.

Gillian

Instructor

Hello! My name is Gillian, and I am a junior at DSHA. As an instructor, I really enjoy working at Mathnasium because every day is different. I get to impact the days of new kids each time I work as I help them become confident in their math skills. Math is my favorite subject, and I hope one day I can work in the medical field. Some other hobbies I enjoy are skiing and playing lacrosse for my high school.

Natalie

Instructor

Hi! I'm Natalie and I'm an instructor at Mathnasium. I am currently a senior at Whitefish Bay High School. In addition to working here at Mathnasium, I run cross country in the fall and track in the spring for my school. I love being outdoors and spending time with my family. I have enjoyed math since I was in elementary school and I'm thrilled to be a tutor here at Mathnasium.

Emily

Instructor

Hi! My name is Emily, and I’m a junior at Whitefish Bay High School. Math has always been one of my favorite subjects in school, and I hope to pursue a career where I can apply math in computer science. Outside of Mathnasium, I dance at Milwaukee Ballet and enjoy reading, making pottery, and going on hikes with my family. I’m so excited to be working at Mathnasium and helping students learn to love math!

Connor

Instructor

Hello! My name is Connor, and I'm a junior at Whitefish Bay High School. I really enjoy math and I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to share this passion with Mathnasium students. Outside of Mathnasium, I enjoy traveling, spending time with friends and family, and playing sports such as soccer and golf.

Tim

Instructor

I’m Tim, and I am a high school English teacher. Yes, that’s right! I am an English teacher who adores numbers! I have been teaching English in the Milwaukee area since 1988 and tutoring since 2008. As a tutor, I have coached middle school students to improve their executive functioning skills, helped so many high school students with their literary analysis and research assignments, AP preparation, and all five sections of the ACT, including the math section. I have also tutored university students and helped future doctors with their medical school applications. Now, I will be helping students appreciate the magic, the beauty, and the creativity of mathematics! I am thrilled to be joining the team here in Whitefish Bay!

Jonathon

Instructor

Hi, I am Jonathan Lee, a junior at Nicolet High School. I am currently an instructor in Mathnasium because I enjoy math and teaching others about it. I love how math works out with one clear answer (sometimes, not always.) When it doesn't, that's another fun thing about math! Besides that, I enjoy being outside with friends or family, and sports like golf, skiing, gym, and basketball. I also love to play video games with my friends. I'm excited to work with you guys at Mathnasium!

Vikram

Instructor

Hi! I'm Vikram. I'm a senior at USM and captain the robotics team with my twin brother. I moved from Alabama a year ago, and before that, I lived in Florida. My favorite subjects in school are math and physics, but out of school, I like rock climbing, playing board games with my family, doing art, and hanging out with my dog. I love helping kids improve their math skills. Each day I work, I love my job even more!

Eitan

Instructor

Hi! My name is Eitan and I'm a Junior at Nicolet High School. I am a Mathnasium instructor because I've always loved helping and teaching others. In my free time I play sports, like basketball and volleyball, as well as hang out with my friends. At my school, I participate in various other extracurriculars such as my school's robotics team and our Hebrew Club. I'm super excited to start working with everyone!

Alice

Instructor

Hello! My name is Alice and I’m currently a junior at Shorewood High School. Math has always come naturally to me and I’ve had a strong passion for it ever since I was in elementary school, so I’m thrilled to work with everyone at Mathnasium and further that passion. Because of my love of math and science, I hope to one day pursue a career in STEM. Outside of Mathnasium I also play guitar, I’m a member of my schools chamber choir, I’m the class of 2025 vice president on student council, and I’m an LT at YMCA Camp Minikani.

Stella

Instructor

Hi! I'm Stella and I'm a Junior at Shorewood High School. I've always loved math and I've recently found that I enjoy working with and teaching kids. I spend a lot of my free time outside and I teach youth sailing lessons during the summer. Some of my hobbies are theater tech, rock climbing, mountain biking, and camping. I'm super excited to be working at Mathnasium!

Lauren

Instructor

Hello! My name is Lauren and I am an instructor here at the Mathnasium. I am currently a junior at UW-Milwaukee pursuing my bachelors degree in secondary education - science. Hopefully that means one day I'll be teaching high school biology! In my free time I enjoy having game nights with my roommates and spending time with our cat, Jack. I also like to spend time playing my cello, guitar or ukulele. I am looking forward to my time at the Mathnasium and helping some cool kiddos get really good at math

Our Mathnasium Mission

Teach children math so they understand it, master it, and love it. Math can change their lives, and they can change the world.

What I love about Mathnasium is the ability to teach problem-solving skills and make math make sense, while also making a student smile.

Amber W., Mathnasium Instructor

Schedule Your Math Skills Assessment Today

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Call (414) 763-9441

Want to join the Mathnasium team?

Are you interested in changing lives through math? We're looking for outstanding individuals with a high level of commitment who are passionate about teaching math. Find out if there's a Mathnasium position that's just right for you!

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Whitefish Bay

Meet the Team at Mathnasium of Whitefish Bay

Ann Yurkowitz

Amber Wicklund

Amy Knox

Kate Sommerfeld

Rohita Shah

Nick

Fiona

Jon

Tali

Valerie

Rich

Tess

Annabel

Quinn M

Lydia L

Ben

Elise R

AJ

Clare

Rohit

Elise G

Yana

Matthew

Carter

Leora

Lydia M

Gillian

Natalie

Emily

Connor

Tim

Jonathon

Vikram

Eitan

Alice

Stella

Lauren

Our Mathnasium Mission

Want to join the Mathnasium team?

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