Our Team at Mathnasium of Encino

Hanishka

Hanishka is currently a junior in high school. In school, her favorite types of classes are math-based. She is planning to study business in college. Hanishka enjoys working with students and helping them build confidence in math. In her free time, she loves spending time with her family and friends, traveling, and going to the beach.

Izzy

Izzy is a stellar high school senior with a strong academic record, earning A’s in all her honors math courses and scoring a 5 on the AP Calculus exam. She has a passion for numbers and problem-solving, and she loves finding creative ways to make challenging concepts easier to understand. Outside of math, Izzy enjoys playing tennis, reading, and working on her stationery business, SOZY Pencils. She joined Mathnasium to inspire students to build confidence, deepen their understanding of math, and develop strong problem-solving skills, all while making learning an enjoyable and rewarding experience. Izzy is excited to help each student discover their potential and love for math.

Martin

Martin or Marty received his B.A. degree, summa cum laude, from UCLA, in Economics with a minor in Mathematics. He also received his M.B.A. from UCLA and his J.D. from UCLA. While at UCLA, Marty graded students’ calculus homework for the UCLA Mathematics department and was hired by the Mathematics department to tutor UCLA students in the school’s Pre-Calculus Lab. Marty recently retired from being a litigator and decided to follow his passion for teaching mathematics. Students routinely opine that Marty is a great “explainer” and that he is always patient with his students. Marty also enjoys being a magician member of L.A.’s Magic Castle.

Sam

Serli

I am a recent graduate from UC Berkeley, where I earned my degree in Astrophysics. With a strong foundation in problem-solving and analytical thinking, I enjoy helping students build confidence and develop a deeper understanding of math. I previously volunteered as a teaching assistant at King Middle School in Berkeley, where I discovered my passion for working with students and supporting their academic growth. I am excited to pursue a future in math and science education and am dedicated to making math engaging and accessible for all learners. Originally from Istanbul, Turkey, I bring a global perspective and a positive, encouraging approach to every lesson. In my free time, I enjoy swimming, spending time with friends, and listening to music and podcasts.

Shajiratul

Shajiratul is a passionate instructor with a BSc in Applied Mathematics from the University of Dhaka, specializing in financial mathematics and modeling. Born and raised in Bangladesh, he moved to the US to pursue advanced studies in math. He hadn’t always loved mathematics the way he does now; in fact, he was pretty scared of it until 5th grade. But that year, a great teacher not only overcame his fear of math but also made him fall in love with it. From then on, he has been enthusiastic about the various fields of mathematics, which inspired him to get a degree in Applied Mathematics. At Mathnasium, he channels this enthusiasm into teaching K-12 students, helping them conquer challenges in mathematical foundations, algebra, calculus, and beyond. For Shaz, the most rewarding experience is working with students to solve difficult problems together. Outside of math, he enjoys movies, gaming, reading, and listening to music.

Shai

Shai is a dedicated and motivated high school student who takes pride in putting in consistent effort and striving for personal growth. Shai enjoys collaborating with others and working with students, valuing teamwork and clear communication to help create a positive and supportive learning environment. Shai is always looking for opportunities to improve and grow, both academically and personally. Outside of academics, Shai likes watching sports and staying active, which helps build discipline, balance, and a strong work ethic that carries over into daily responsibilities.

Dan Saposhnik

Dan graduated from the University of Arizona in 1985 with a B.S. in Microbiology and from Hofstra University's Graduate School of Business in 1990 with an MBA in Accounting. He worked as a CPA with public accounting firm Price Waterhouse and has built successful companies in various fields including real estate and executive recruiting. Dan's passion for teaching and love for working with kids is rooted in family tradition. His mother was a highly regarded principal in Las Vegas for nearly 30 years. Dan has taught and tutored children of all ages and was a mentor for underprivileged children. Dan is committed to significantly increasing Encino children's math skills, their understanding of math concepts and their overall school performance. "We provide lots of warm encouragement in a very positive learning environment so that children build their confidence and develop a winning attitude towards math. Our kids learn math in a way that makes sense to them. They get excited about math and this spirit carries over into everything they do."

Laurie Wasser Saposhnik

Laurie graduated from UCLA in 1986 with a B.A. in Communication Studies. Before joining Mathnasium, she built a successful career working with Fortune 500 high-tech companies, including IBM, SAP, EMC, TIBCO, and MicroStrategy.
Laurie’s passion for teaching and working with children is deeply rooted in her family values. Her father, a dedicated special education teacher, spent over 30 years shaping young minds in California. Following in his footsteps, Laurie is committed to empowering children in the Las Vegas community by improving their math skills, fostering a strong understanding of mathematical concepts, and building their confidence to succeed academically.
In addition to her work at Mathnasium, Laurie volunteers as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), where she advocates for the best interests of children in foster care. This role reflects her dedication to making a meaningful difference in the lives of children and supporting their growth and well-being.