Our Team at Mathnasium of St. Michael

Mahalia

Education: 

I graduated from Champlin Park High School in 2022 and completed 2 years of a biomedical engineering program at Northwestern University.

Years of experience teaching math: 

I have been working at Mathnasium for four months now, and I have tutored many of my friends and younger kids in math throughout my life.

What do you like most about learning? 

I enjoy learning math specifically because I find it interesting to see the different ways people approach the same problem. There are various ways to approach a problem and still arrive at the right answer, and it’s fun to figure out which approach works best for each person.

What is the biggest impact you’ve had on a student’s ability to become proficient in math?

We had a student come into the center who was really behind in math and needed to work on many fundamental skills. They were also quite shy their first few days, so I made sure the center was a fun place where they could be themself. Now, after working with them for a few months, they have mastered many of the fundamental skills they need to succeed in math, and have come out of their shell a lot!

How do you make learning math fun for students?

It’s important to me that I start off every session with a short conversation about how the student’s week is going and what they’re doing outside of school. Learning about each student's interests outside of school helps me build a relationship with them. Then, if a student gets bored or frustrated during their session, I have a few conversation topics to bring up, so they can take a short break and talk about their interests before being redirected back to their work.

Joe

Education: 

B.S. in Finance

Years of experience teaching math: 

1 year

What do you like most about learning? 

There is always something you don't know. Learning is infinite.

What is the biggest impact you’ve had on a student’s ability to become proficient in math?

Helping break down math into simpler and easier to understand steps.

What type of math do you enjoy teaching most?

Algebra

How do you make learning math fun for students?

Enthusiasm and encouragement.

Jennifer

Education: 

B.S. in Business Admin - Finance

M.S. in Project Management

Years of experience teaching math: 

5+ years 

What do you like most about learning? 

Learning new things all the time helps to keep your brain active.

What is the biggest impact you’ve had on a student’s ability to become proficient in math?

A student was not interested in calculating compound interest or focusing on percentages in general. Since her was in high school, I asked if he likes money and approached teaching from a banking perspective. He really caught on once he could relate.

What type of math do you enjoy teaching most?

Practical. In my experience, when a child is struggling with math, their number one argument is that they will never use it. Any math that can easily show why it is needed daily can help garner interest.

How do you make learning math fun for students?

I like to find something they are interested in and use it to show how math can be used in every day life, or tie math to their interest. For example, using Legos or cooking to help understand fractions.

Isabella

Education: 

Current PSEO student at Anoka-Ramsey Community College

Senior at Rogers High School

Years of experience teaching math: 

<1 year

What do you like most about learning? 

I like the understanding stage because it provides a sense of happiness and confidence to further the learning.

What is the biggest impact you’ve had on a student’s ability to become proficient in math?

The biggest impact I've had is helping them work towards the understanding stage and achieving it.

What type of math do you enjoy teaching most?

Algebra! I also enjoy higher elementary and middle school math.

How do you make learning math fun for students?

Changing it and creating real life situations they might actually be in.