Our Team at Mathnasium of Creve Coeur

Larry Martinek

Larry has spent his entire career finding better ways to teach math. From inner-city public schools to acclaimed magnet and private institutions, he has worked as both a teacher and consultant, designing curriculum and teaching strategies that make math more accessible. 

As the creator of the Mathnasium Method, Larry developed one of the most innovative and effective math programs ever produced. Though not an instructor at this center, he remains an invaluable resource, offering insights that help make every student visit more engaging and productive. 

Stuart Klamen

Stuart earned his Bachelor’s degree in Pure Mathematics from Hebrew University and has taught math from the elementary to high school levels. His experience in the classroom has given him a deep understanding of how to make complex ideas clear and engaging for every student. 

He loves helping kids build confidence through problem-solving and creative thinking. His favorite number is 32, which also happens to be his high school basketball jersey number. Outside of Mathnasium, Stuart enjoys cooking and is well known for preparing meals for large groups of family and friends. 

Renee Fredman

Renee brings over 15 years of public education experience and nearly two decades in marketing research to Mathnasium. She holds a Missouri teaching certification in mathematics and earned her undergraduate degree in business administration. In 2019, she completed her graduate studies in middle school math education. 

Renee loves helping students connect math to real-world situations and build lasting confidence in their abilities. Her favorite number is 18, the average of her two sons’ birthdays, a reminder of how math connects even to family moments. 

Matt Jones

Matt holds an undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering and has worked as both an engineer and an electrical technician. He enjoys helping students understand how math connects to real world problem solving, something he has used throughout his career. Outside of Mathnasium, Matt loves cooking, reading, and exploring new interests. His favorite number is 29.  

John Moritz

Mr. John Moritz received his undergraduate and graduates degrees in Engineering Management from Missouri Science and Technology University. After a lengthy business career, he earned his mathematics teaching certificate from the American Board in 2018. John is excited to be part of the Mathnasium team, and is committed to providing the best instruction possible to its dedicated students.

Hamid Bakhshi

Mr. Hamid Bakhshi has received his undergraduate and graduate degrees in chemical engineering. He earned a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering and has worked as a researcher at the University of Southern California (USC). He has experience in teaching and instruction at the university level for more than ten years. He believes that knowledge of math in children, as the universal language for science and engineering, not only enhances their logical thinking but also brings clarity to their minds, impacting all aspects of their lives. His favorite number is pi because of its unique characteristics.

Marina Riad

Ms. Marina Riad graduated from Scripps College with a degree in Science, Technology, and Society with a minor in Media Studies. Marina struggled with math in grade school but, with the help of Mathnasium, she came to love math. Now, Marina works on Mathnasium's online platform to teach kids just like her -- whether they love math or struggle with it! Marina's favorite number is 42 because it is the Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, The Universe, and Everything... and because she has always had a penchant for even numbers.

Noah Pipes

Mr. Noah Pipes is in his senior year of high school and has been homeschooled his entire life. He is an Eagle Scout and a National Merit Semifinalist. He plans to attend Mizzou in the fall of 2024 to pursue a bachelor's in Computer Science with a focus on artificial intelligence. When he's not doing school, he enjoys jogging and playing the piano. His favorite number is 27 due to an inside joke with his family. He is thrilled to be part of the Mathnasium team.

Savita Nijsure

Ms. Savita Nijsure received her Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Bombay and after a 16-year career in the Municipal Corporation of Greater Bombay, she moved to the United States with her husband and twin daughters in 2000. She became a stay-at-home mom after the move and found her passion for education while helping her daughters through their upper-level math courses. Once her daughters went to engineering school, she found an avenue to exercise her skills by tutoring children from elementary through high school in math and reading. She has been tutoring for the last 15 years and her favorite number is 17. As a recent first-time grandma, Savita enjoys spending as much of her free time with her granddaughter as possible.

Renell Brown

Ms. Renell Brown has over 13 years of teaching experience in Math and Chemistry. She completed her undergraduate studies at Bradley University where she majored in Chemistry Education and minored in Mathematics. She completed her graduate studies in Student Learning and Well Being at Mizzou. She is currently a high school chemistry teacher. In her free time, she enjoys attending concerts and watching K Dramas. Her favorite artist is Beyonce and her favorite number is 4.

Andy Basford

Andy Basford started working as an in-store locksmith after his tour of duty in the US Navy. Then, he went back to school and discovered that his knack for mathematics not only helped him in locksmithing but also helped him understand things like iterations and statistics. He holds a degree in Mathematical Science from Maryville University, and his favorite number is φ (because it’s pretty much the same if you subtract it from 1 or invert it to 1/φ). Andy's flair for dad jokes, however, seem to be rather pun-ishing. One time, Andy submitted 10 puns to a dad joke contest, figuring that at least one of them would have a chance to win, but unfortunately no pun in 10 did.

Ava O'Bryan

Ms. Ava O’Bryan is a high school junior at Parkway Central High School who hopes to pursue a career in music education. She is a student aide for her high school orchestra program and began a strings club at a nearby elementary school. She also teaches viola lessons and tutors in her free time. Her favorite number is 12 because it is the age she started playing the viola. She loves working with young students to foster a love for learning from a young age.

Rohaan Khan

Rohaan Khan is a rising junior at MICDS who hopes to pursue a career in medicine when he is older. Ever since he was young, his favorite subject was math, and he is one of the co-heads of the STEM research club at MICDS. Additionally, he also knows how to play the alto saxophone. In his free time, he likes to play pickleball or basketball with his friends. His favorite number is 8, since he was born on December 8th, 2008 and he loves working with kids to spread his math talents to others.