Olga Serebrennikov
MathAltitude Co-Founder and Principal
Olga Serebrennikov holds a B.S./M.S. in Electrical Engineering from Moscow Technical University and an M.S. in Electrical Engineering from WPI. She has extensive industry experience in the field of Telecommunications. Before opening her own school, Mrs. Serebrennikov taught mathematics for more than 10 years at WPI and at various after-school math programs in the Boston area. In 2016, she was awarded the IEEE-USA K-12 Stem Literacy Educator-Engineer Partnership Award for collaboration supporting the development of K-12 student math skills and their application in engineering. Olga teaches classes at all levels.
Boris Serebrennikov
MathAltitude Co-Founder
Boris Serebrennikov holds a B.S./M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Moscow State University of Engineering and an M.S. in Mechanical and Plastics Engineering from University of Massachusetts Lowell. Currently serving as a Senior Principal Scientist at Saint Gobain, Boris is renowned for his innovative work in polymer science, holding multiple patents that demonstrate his knack for turning complex concepts into practical solutions. Boris has a deep knowledge and understanding of math and science and a passion for teaching – a winning combination. He was instrumental in establishing the physics program at MathAltitude. In the classroom, Boris is known for his engaging teaching style and ensures that his students gain a solid understanding of topics covered. Boris is a mentor, innovator, and educator, committed to pushing the boundaries of his field while nurturing the next generation of thinkers and problem-solvers.
Karen Chandler
Assistant Principal and ELA Curriculum Coordinator
Karen Chandler earned a B.A. in Education from Boston College, and has over 30 years of experience in the field of education and office management. With a combination of teaching and administrative knowledge, she is heavily involved in the day-to-day operations of the school, interacting with students, teachers, and parents. Her strong organizational skills lend support to the flow of information in and out of the office. In addition, Karen coordinates the writing program.
Nathan Senecal
Math and Science Lead Teacher and Curriculum Coordinator
Nathan Senecal earned a B.S. in Mathematics with a concentration in Pure Mathematics Summa Cum Laude from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He plays an instrumental role in the development of the high school curriculum, including a unique physics curriculum. Nathan teaches online and in-person math and physics courses for students in grades 6-12. He is an enthusiastic instructor with a keen teaching style. He loves helping students explore the unexpected results and connections in mathematics, and helping them develop both the mathematical rigor and the curiosity and creativity needed to tackle interesting problems. His enthusiasm and love for math keeps students engaged in the learning process.
Liubov Smirnova
Lead Teacher
Luba Smirnova earned an M.S. in Engineering from Saint Petersburg Polytechnic Institute and began her career working as an engineer at the National Research Institute of Telecommunications in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Her passion and calling, however, was always teaching, and she taught middle and high school level math and physics for ten years at elite schools in Saint Petersburg. Luba is a dedicated and talented teacher and loves to challenge her students. There is a palpable energy in her classes. Luba recognizes the potential of each child, and enjoys bringing out the best in her students. They perform very well in math competitions. Luba teaches online math courses at all levels.
Jasmine Randhawa
Math Instructor and Office Manager
Jasmine Randhawa has an M.S. in Business Administration from Clark University and a Bachelor of Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Manipal Institute of Technology. Her programming and application software skills and extensive project management skills give her the ability to analyze, prioritize, and multitask efficiently. These competencies seamlessly align with Jasmine's dual role as a math instructor and office manager at MathAltitude. With a natural inclination towards teaching, Jasmine is an intuitive educator, adept at evaluating her students' needs and motivating them to achieve their utmost potential. Jasmine teaches middle school classes.
Charles Burns
Math Instructor
Charles "Chuck" Burns has been working in the field of education for over 30 years. He has a B.S. in Mathematics from Worcester State University and a B.S. in Pharmacy with Distinction from the University of Rhode Island. He is a personable, enthusiastic instructor, adept at working with students to develop plans to improve critical thinking, study and organization skills and bolster knowledge of material presented in class. Chuck has taught students at the junior high, high school, and college levels and we are happy to have him working with our middle school and high school students. Chuck teaches math classes and SAT prep, and tutors various STEM subjects.
Manjola Islamaj
Math Instructor
Manjola Islamaj holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Anna Maria College. She emigrated to the United States from Albania. She always had a passion for math and worked for many years in the private sector in business management and accounting, but her love was teaching. She now works in the Worcester Public School System. Manjola is a caring teacher who goes over and above to ensure that her students understand the concepts she is teaching. Her students are challenged and nurtured and encouraged to work to the best of their abilities. Manjola teaches courses for elementary students.
Cody Kingman
Math Instructor
Cody Kingman graduated from UMass Lowell with a B.A. in Math and a M.S. in Teaching. Cody is passionate about math and enjoys working with children of all ages and backgrounds, and especially embraces the challenge of working with those who possess certain learning disabilities. He has an innate ability to relate to students with educational challenges. Cody strives to engage with his students in a fun, creative manner in an effort to make the learning experience as enjoyable as possible. He is a sensitive, patient, and understanding teacher, and strives to always find the most effective ways for his students to advance both socially and academically. Cody teaches courses at the elementary level and middle school levels.
Elena Kori
Math Instructor
Elena Kori earned a B.S. and M.S. in Applied Mathematics and a B.S. in Education from Kharkov State University in Kharkov, Ukraine. Before joining MathAltitude, she worked as a software engineer in industry in both Israel and the United States. Elena has always had a passion for teaching and is excited to share her knowledge and love of mathematics with the students at MathAltitude. Elena teaches online and in-person courses at all levels.
Violet Manxhari
Math Instructor
Violet Manxhari holds a B.S. and M.S. in Bioengineering from Northeastern University, and works as an Associate Consultant at a life sciences/healthcare consulting firm in Boston. Violet previously worked as a teaching assistant for multiple upper-level math and bioengineering courses. This experience made her realize how much she enjoyed teaching math and engineering focused courses. Violet brings her love for teaching math to our MathAltitude team. She has a wonderful rapport with our students and creates a warm, positive atmosphere for learning in her classroom. Violet teaches elementary and middle school courses.
Ivanna Matushchak
Math Instructor
Ivanna Matushchak holds both B.S. and M.S. degrees in Applied Mathematics from Lviv State University. Fluent in three languages, she devoted 35 years to teaching mathematics at the middle and high school levels in Ukraine. After emigrating to the United States nine years ago, she has continued her teaching career at a private school in Worcester. Ivanna is deeply passionate about mathematics and her students’ success. She believes that mastering mathematics requires a systematic approach and a commitment to lifelong learning. With a remarkable ability to address the unique learning needs of each student, Ivanna fosters a classroom environment where students develop a deep and lasting understanding of mathematical concepts. Ivanna teaches elementary and middle school courses.
Michelle Meyer
Math Instructor
Michelle Meyer holds a B.A. from Ithaca College in New York. She is an engaging, caring educator who has a strong rapport with students, families, and fellow teachers. Michelle brings a diverse background of teaching, creative arts, technology, administration, and leadership experience to our MathAltitude team. Working one-on-one, in small groups in public and private school settings in the Boston area, Michelle fosters a positive learning atmosphere in her classroom, and develops strategies to improve the growth of her students. Michelle is well-versed in Scratch Coding, Lego EV3 Robotics, and Stykz Digital Animation. Michelle teaches primary and elementary level classes.
Ragini Narasimhan
Math Instructor
Ragini Narasimhan has a B.Tech. in Computer Science and Engineering from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) and a Ph.D. in Computer Science from SUNY, Albany. After working at Microsoft for ten years, Ragini earned an M.Ed. and taught Calculus and Physics for 12-years at University Prep in Seattle. At MathAltitude, Ragini tutors high school students in math and physics. She believes in tying math and physics to real world applications. She likes to build personal relationships with her students to understand their goals and achieve these as a joint venture. She inculcates a deep interest in mathematical thinking and problem solving. She feels a true sign of her success is that students reach out to her many years after they graduate.
Svetlana Panikova
Math Instructor
Svetlana Panikova holds a B.S. and M.S. in Mathematics from Chelyabinsk State University in Chelyabinsk, Russia. Her career encompasses a broad range of experiences in education and industry. She has taught students from elementary school through college. In 2015, Svetlana moved to the United States and started teaching at the Academy for Children in Milford and Ashland. In 2022, she joined MathAltitude and initially taught the Pre-K and Kindergarten classes. Svetlana is known for her caring and compassionate approach to teaching, creating a warm and inviting classroom environment. She guides her students with a gentle hand as they embark on their journey in mathematics. Svetlana teaches in-person at the primary, elementary, and middle school levels.
Anna Perelstein
Math Instructor
Anna Perelstein has an M.S. in Applied Mathematics and Physics from Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (Phys Tech). Anna has been teaching elementary and middle school students at an after-school math enrichment program in Boston for over ten years. Anna enjoys teaching all grade levels since every age presents a different set of challenges, but she especially loves the enthusiasm of students in Grades 2-4. She feels that is the optimum time to begin to study “extra” math because that is when a child’s natural curiosity is at its highest. As an instructor at MathAltitude Anna teaches online and in-person courses at all levels.
Ed Suyer
Computer Science Instructor
Ed Suyer holds an M.S. in Computer Science from WPI. He has been a part of the MathAltitude community as a parent for over 12 years. Ed is a programmer by trade and has worked in the industry for over 20 years as a software architect and developer, writing code and mentoring programmers. He has taught Scratch programming at the elementary school level, as well as coordinating a Cloud programming internship program for high school students. Ed enriches our computer science classes with his wealth of knowledge and engaging instruction.
Ian Carlson
Online Math Instructor
Ian Carlson’s education and experiences have given him a very broad and diverse skill set. He has a B.S. in Media, Culture & Communication from New York University, Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, but math has always been his passion, and he chose computer engineering and mathematics courses as electives in college. Coming from a family of educators, it was only natural for him to pursue a career in teaching. While finishing his M.S. in Education, Ian has been teaching in the public and private sector in Worcester. At MathAltitude, Ian teaches elementary and middle school classes. He encourages his students to explore challenging topics, and enjoys sharing his knowledge and love of math with a new generation of students at MathAltitude.
Dina Krotin
Online Math Instructor
Before joining our staff at MathAltitude, Dina Krotin taught at the elementary and middle school levels in Russia and Israel, and presently teaches in private school in New York. With degrees from Minsk State Pedagogical Institute in Minsk, Belarus, and Achva College in Be'er-Tuvia, Israel, she brings her passion for teaching into classrooms in the U.S. and develops a special rapport with all of her students. Her patient and skilled methods keep students challenged, and her constant encouragement gives students confidence to succeed. Dina teaches math courses for students from Pre-K through middle school.
Dale Pasino
Online Math Instructor
Dale Pasino is a dedicated and energetic educator with over 30 years of teaching experience working with diverse populations in public, private, and alternative schools, as well as college settings. He has an M.S. in Education from Northern Arizona University and a B.S. in Physiology from Michigan State University. He has a passion for teaching and has always been drawn to mathematics, teaching courses in junior high math and science and leading math clubs and camps in public and private school settings. His analytical mind and good sense of humor are a great asset in the classroom. As Math Club instructor, Dale exposes his students to interesting math concepts and techniques beyond what is seen in their other math classes and encourages his students to view math in a creative way! Dale teaches online courses for middle and high school students.
Karen Higgins
ELA Instructor
Karen Higgins holds an Ed.S. in Curriculum and Instruction from UMass, Lowell; an M.A. in English from Worcester State University; an M.A. in Teaching from Clark University, and a BLS from Assumption University. She taught Language Arts for over ten years in the public- school sector, and joins MathAltitude as an instructor in our writing program. Her passion for writing excites even the most reluctant writers in the classroom. She places great emphasis on grammar and essay structure and the importance of effective communication. She incorporates a diverse mix of literature to explore an in-depth study of writing. Karen teaches online and in-person courses for middle school and high school students, including SAT Prep.
Matthew Walsh
ELA Instructor
Mr. Walsh is an M.A./Ph.D. Teaching Associate at UMASS Amherst specializing in Early Modern Literature. He has a wide variety of educational experiences that he brings to the classroom. Working with students one-on-one and in large group settings, Matthew is conversant in all genres of literature as well as SAT/ACT preparation. As a Teaching Associate in UMASS Amherst's Writing Program, Mr. Walsh teaches the University’s first-year writing requirement. His students survey a range of genres, including personal, analytic, research-based, and civic writing, and are encouraged to play with the conventions of these various genres in their sensitivity to argumentative purpose and target audience. Matthew teaches online and in-person courses for high school students.
Tim Antonelli
Chess Instructor
Tim Antonelli earned a B.S. in Biomedical and Electrical Engineering from Duke University and a Ph.D. in Biomathematics from North Carolina State University. He is currently a math professor at Worcester State University, where he teaches a range of classes from developmental algebra to probability and mathematical statistics. Tim is especially passionate about chess, both as a leisurely activity and a tool for teaching patience, concentration, and pattern recognition. Above all, he believes learning is fun, and incorporates humor and active learning to foster a collaborative classroom environment where all feel welcome.
