POINT LOMA — Mathnasium is a math-tutoring center offering students and adults a fresh way to look at numbers. “What makes it fun is just the fact our teachers love kids and love watching them succeed, and they are willing go as slow as the kids need to go,” said Glenn Creswell, who owns Mathnasium with his wife, Laura. The Creswells, both with bachelor’s degrees and master’s degrees in mathematics, believe math does not have to be as difficult and daunting as some fear. “Private tutoring just puts out the root fires,” said Glenn. As a result, Mathnasium prepares a child for a lifetime of problem solving, he said. “We take responsibility for figuring out what they need.” Creswell said. Mathnasium has locations nationwide. Glenn taught math at a community college prior to starting his own custom cabinet and furniture business. Laura went on to teach calculus. However, they decided to open a Mathnasium tutoring center once they learned of its unique teaching method. Glenn said the program presents children — or adults — ways of thinking about math problems that are less programmed and more about a cognitive approach. One example is the manner in which children are taught to determine percentages. The example he used was finding 7 percent of 200. “The paper-and-pencil way is to turn it into .07 and multiply by 200,” Glenn said. However, the Mathnasium way encourages the children to determine percentages by breaking it down and figuring it out logically. Educators teach the children the meaning of percent, which is per 100. Next, the teachers say seven per each 100. Then, they explain that the children simply have to double the answer. Neither paper nor pencil is necessary. “It gives them new confidence,” Glenn said. “They [students] like it because it makes sense,” Glenn said. Each child who signs up for tutoring receives individualized learning plans. Mathnasium tests students to determine the inefficiencies. This process is irrespective of the student’s age and focuses on the developmental age. It can take 6-12 months’ worth of tutoring to not only present the necessary knowledge, but also create new learning habits, which will help the child to better solve problems on his or her own. “What we try to do is help kids develop new habits for learning math,” Glenn said. Students range from second-graders to seniors in high school. However, Mathnasium also tutors adults who struggle with math or are preparing for the Graduate Record Exam — necessary for many graduate school applications — or trade school exams. “It [Mathnasium] gives them back control over numbers,” Glenn said. It is not all work though. The center also uses games as a way to teach. “It’s fun to see them [students] getting excited about something they were intimidated by,” Glenn said. MAKING SENSE OF MATH Typical tutoring hours at Mathnasium are 3 to 7 p.m. Mondays though Thursdays, and from 9 a.m. until noon on Sundays. Additional private tutoring hours are available for adults or older children. Mathnasium is located at 3555 Rosecrans St., Suite 110B. For more information, call (619) 224-MATH (6284), or visit www.mathnasium.com/pointloma or call (619) 224-MATH (6284).
