Meet the Team at Mathnasium of Cliffside

Larry Martinek

More than thirty-five years ago, Larry Martinek was inspired to find a better way to teach children math. As a teacher-trainer and consultant in public and top private schools, and father to a mathematically gifted son, Larry possessed an incredibly comprehensive view of education. In his work with both stellar and struggling math programs, he clearly identified a common theme in mathematics instruction: a “serious disconnect between students’ basic skills training and the curriculum they are expected to master in the years to come.” Spurred by the challenges in math education, Larry Martinek decided to find an approach that would provide grade-school children with the strong mathematical foundation they need to succeed. Over the next three decades, Larry painstakingly developed and assembled a blend of methods and materials that proved highly effective for students of all ages. Instead of relying on traditional rote memorization and repetitive exercises, Larry’s work focused on helping children build deep mathematical understanding—number sense—by honing their math instincts and getting them to think like Mathematicians.

Renat

I am a passionate mathematics enthusiast and a dedicated educator. From a young age, I have found excitement in the intricate patterns and logical puzzles that numbers and equations offered. During my high school years, I was part of math clubs and have participated in math contests, such as the Cayley Waterloo math contest. I often went ahead and studied more advanced topics beyond the confines of classrooms. Now, I study Computer Science at the University of Toronto, applying analytical prowess to solve complex coding challenges, and, as a passionate educator at Mathnasium, I conduct engaging math sessions that not only demystify intricate concepts but also kindle a love for the subject in my students.

Tanuj

Tanuj is currently studying computer science; Math has always been his favorite subject. He finds it fun and challenging for kids, and he breaks down questions into simple steps and makes solving problems easy to understand. He loves teaching math and seeing students understand and master new concepts. Tanuj is passionate about empowering kids and believes that anyone can be a ‘math person’ and loves seeing that spark of excitement when a student finally understands a challenging concept. He loves playing Chess, soccer, and cricket in his free time.