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.

Michael Owens

Assistant Center Director

I attended college at PCC, majoring in political science. I love working with students and seeing that "ah ha" moment when they finally get it. I have been a part of the team since November 2024. I love to make art projects and play games with my friends, the nerdier the better! I am an Eagle Scout and use the leadership skills from the Boy Scouts every day.

Bonnie Gu

Assistant Center Director

I went to school at UCLA and I majored in Statistics and Data Science. At Mathnasuim, I love the welcoming environment and the problem-solving we do every day to help students. In my free time, I like to cook and take care of my houseplants. A fun fact about me is that I love nail art and enjoy experimenting with different techniques to turn my nails into tiny works of art.

Brandon Franco Castro

Lead Instructor

I currently attend Cal State LA, and I major in mathematics. I love working at Mathnasium because I love to help students understand and enjoy math as much as I do. In my free time, I like to read, play video games, watch movies, listen to podcasts, and make origami. One interesting fact about me is that I am a big fan of Harry Potter.

Jeffrey Han

Lead Instructor

I attended college at USC, majoring in computer science. At Mathnasium, I love the fact that we focus on helping students understand, instead of just focusing on test scores. In my free time, I like building computers, video games, cars, DIY repair, animation taekwondo, tennis, and soccer. An interesting fact about me is that I replaced my own iPhone screen and battery.

Caitlyn Alegria

Lead Instructor

I am currently attending PCC but I plan to transfer to CSULB. I am majoring in Electrical Engineering. At Mathnasium, I love that each student gets their own customized learning plan that can help and that we focus on learning and not just completing their work. In my free time, I like playing catch, going to Disneyland, and watching TV and movies. An interesting fact about me is that I have two younger sisters, a dog, and a cat.

Joaquin Phillips

Instructor
I am in my first year at USC, majoring in Astronautical Engineering. I really love talking about math concepts with kids and helping them understand them, while also getting to know kids and their interests. I love math, but I also like playing video games like Valorant, Overwatch, and Dark Souls, and I like sports like volleyball and swimming. I am also double-jointed in my pinky fingers.

Julianne Wong

Instructor
I am in my second year at USC film school, studying Media Arts and Practice, with a minor in web development. At Mathnasium, I love that even though I'm here to help students, it still feels like I'm spending time with some good friends. My favorite activities include drawing, speedrunning sudoku, video games, cooking, as well as taking blurry pictures of my food and ugly pictures of my cat. I have a fear of animatronics, so going to Disneyland is essentially picking which ride horrifies me the most.

Mateo Cortes

Instructor
I currently attend Los Angeles College Prep Academy, and I plan to major in psychology in college. At Mathnasuim, I love the fact that everyone leaves here with a smile. It is an incredibly positive environment. In my free time, I like solving Rubik's cubes and jigsaw puzzles, as well as journaling. I also like sports and have played soccer for over 9 years.

Orrin White

Instructor
I attended Northeastern University, and I am certified in both Mathematics and Physics. I love the congenial atmosphere at Mathnasium. I like whitewater rafting and wilderness conservation, and I used to work on a lobster boat in Maine.

Michelle Han

Instructor
I majored in Neuroscience at University of Southern California. At Mathnasium, I love the atmosphere of working together with the students and the team. In my free time, I like drawing, watching Minecraft or D&D series, and making self-improvement plans. An interesting fact about me is that I know how to Juggle.

Lucas DuBria

Instructor

I currently attend Pasadena City College, and I plan to major in Wildlife Biology. I love working at Mathnasium because I love to help others with math and it's a nice and friendly environment. In my free time, I play volleyball and work with animals. I also love to go thrifting. One interesting fact about me is that my elbows are double-jointed.

Austin Tong

Instructor
I graduated from San Marino High School and plan to major in computer science. At Mathnasium, I love meeting new students and making them enjoy math. In my free time, I love to play card games, board games, and any type of party games. An interesting fact about me is that I love working with statistics.

Nico Mostert

Instructor

I currently attend La Salle College Prep, and I am currently undecided on what to major. I love working at Mathnasium because I learn something new every day. In my free time, I like to play baseball, video games, and watch TV and movies. One interesting fact about me is that I can speak Dutch.

Hudson Taylor

Instructor

I currently attend South Pasadena High School, and I plan to major in mechanical engineering. I love working at Mathnasium because everyone here loves to help students in need. In my free time, I love to play video games or read. I also enjoy coding. One interesting fact about me is that I read the book Dune 4 times.

Raden Estridge

Instructor

School Attended: South Pasadena High School

Major:

What I love about Mathnasium: I love working with the kids and helping them have fun while learning math

With Mathnasium Since: March 2025

Hobbies and Interests: I like playing soccer, running, and reading

Interesting Facts: I like to sew

Kevin Aung

Instructor

I attend Pasadena City College, and I majored in computer science. I love working at Mathnasium because of the welcoming and supportive team that is dedicated to helping students. In my free time, I like to swim, play board games and chess. One interesting fact about me is that I got runner-up in a state chess championship.

Peach Chuensukanant

Instructor

I attended college at PCC, majoring in biochemistry. At Mathnasium, I love that eureka moment where a student finally understands something. In my free time, I like playing video games, doing arts and crafts, and listening to music. An interesting fact about me is that I made a realistic bear mask for Halloween last year.

Tendo Williams

Instructor

I currently attend South Pasadena High School and plan to major in civil engineering in college. At Mathnasium, I love the fact that we find a balance between hard work and fun. In my free time, I like to play volleyball, football, or video games. I'm also watching anime. An interesting fact about me is that I can solve a Rubik's Cube in under 1 minute.

Vivek Wong

Instructor

I attended college at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, majoring in computer science. I love working with students and helping them see math differently. I have been a part of the team since August 2025. In my free time, I love to cook, play board games, and draw. I can make hand-torn noodles and my own chili oil.

Reignne Park

Instructor

I currently attend South Pasadena High School. I love working at Mathnasium because of the organized structure that we use to help students of all levels. My hobbies are cooking, drawing, editing videos, and playing my guitar or piano.  Some interesting facts about me are that I have 3 siblings and I lived in Egypt for 10 years.

Derek Leung

Instructor

I attended UCSB, and I majored in financial math and statistics. I love working at Mathnasium because I love the collaborative environment among the staff, as well as working with kids excited to come in and learn math. In my free time, I love playing video games and working out. One interesting fact about me is that I'm an Eagle Scout.

Shayan Ameri

Instructor

I currently attend South Pasadena High School, and I plan to major in biology. I love working at Mathnasium because I love meeting new students and teaching them the very same topics I was taught at their age. In my free time,I love to listen to music and play sports. A fun fact about me is I can almost do a handstand.

Andrew Molina

Director of Operations

Andrew graduated from the University of San Diego in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in Economics. After graduation, he joined the team at Mathnasium of South Pasadena as a Math Instructor. After moving his way up to Lead Instructor and Assistant Center Director, Andrew became the Center Director for the Mathnasium of South Pasadena. Due to the wonderful time he had managing the South Pasadena center over the course of 3 years, Andrew looks forward to his new role as District Manager. As District Manager Andrew will oversee the management of the Mathnasium centers located in Monterey Park, Pasadena, San Marino, and South Pasadena. He is excited to continue to provide top-tier customer service at each Mathnasium location as well as help build his students’ confidence so they can succeed at any goal they set for themselves.

Alejandra Cermeno

Education Specialist

Alejandra graduated from the University of California, Riverside in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics. Shortly after graduation, Alejandra joined the Mathnasium of Pasadena team as an instructor and advanced her way to Center Director over the course of 3 years. As Education Specialist, she is now in charge of all student learning plans, training of new instructors, and furthering the training of current instructors alongside Xavier, the District Support Specialist.

Max Nuckols

District Manager

Hi! I’m Max. I’ve been with Mathnasium since 2019 when I started as an instructor as a high school senior. When I graduated, I went to NYU for two years to study biochemistry, but later decided to come home and change my major to Business Administration. I’m currently working full time at Mathnasium while attending classes part time at Cal Poly Pomona to finish my degree. I love what we do here because the idea of making math fun for kids is such a unique philosophy, and it’s something I resonate with a lot because I love to learn. In my own time, I’m a huge nerd for science, history, sci-fi, fantasy, superheroes, and more, and once you get me started, I could talk for hours about these things. I also enjoy outdoor activities, and even built a skimboard out of plywood a couple years ago so I could learn to ride it at the beach. If you see me in the center at any point, don’t be afraid to say hi!

Jesse De La Roca

District Support

Jesse graduated California State University of Long Beach in 2023 with a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts with an emphasis in Animation/Game Design. He previously worked as a Lead Instructor at Mathnasium of Seal Beach from 2021-2023. He transferred to Mathnasium of South Pasadena and served as a Lead Instructor from 2023-2025.  As District Support Specialist, he is working his way up to working with all our Mathnasium centers ensuring quality service to our students and families.

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.

Quote Quote
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

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Student using math cubes to solve fractions
Student working with a math tutor at a local math learning center

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