Math was never my best subject. Looking back, I think the shaky foundation began in middle school. I did well enough to earn solid B’s, but I never really comprehended the subject matter, which created much bigger problems once I got to high school. At that point, I had to put in a lot of time and effort just to earn an average (or sometimes below-average) grade.
I survived, but I most certainly did not thrive.
We recognized so many of these same things with our son beginning last year in 5th grade when we noticed his math grade steadily declining over the course of the first trimester. While a C+ in 5th-grade math won’t directly impact college admissions down the road, I knew from my own experience that math wasn’t going to get easier for him. If he was starting to struggle in 5th grade, we needed to get a handle on things before middle school.
Enter Mathnasium…
Mathnasium is a math-only learning center for children in grades 2-12. There are over 1,000 centers in the United States and Canada, and we are fortunate to have one right here in Pensacola! I first heard about Mathnasium from a friend and fellow military spouse who experienced some of the same issues with her own son. Not only did Mathnasium address those learning gaps for him, but he’s also now taking Geometry Honors and Algebra II Honors simultaneously as a high school sophomore!
Getting Started
I booked a free 90-minute in-center assessment for my son on the Mathnasium website to help identify his specific learning needs – what he knew and where he needed help. The accuracy of the assessment process was very impressive. In about an hour, we had a very clear picture of his learning gaps and a plan for addressing them.
The Center Director and Owner, Adana Elder, spent time with us afterward to review the results and walk us through the Mathnasium Method, which would build upon what he already knew through a customized learning plan. Adana, a self-professed “math nerd,” opened Mathnasium of Pensacola in January of 2018. Her passion for Mathnasium and its mission is palpable in her interactions with each student – she wants them to succeed, and along with the staff of excellent tutors, she is cheering them on every step of the way!
In addition to the incredible learning environment at Mathnasium, families are also afforded a lot of flexibility. You can choose either “In-Center” instruction or “Mathnasium @Home,” which allows your child to receive the same tutoring and direction via an online connection from your home computer. This flexibility has certainly been a huge benefit as we have navigated Covid-19 this past year.
More Than Just Math Tutoring
Just as the name implies, practicing math skills is a lot like working out. I think we can all agree that the more we exercise, the more confident we feel about ourselves. Exercising regularly keeps us strong and in tip-top shape. And when we get out of our fitness routine, it’s harder to get back in the groove the longer we stay away.
Math is no different.
“Children don’t hate math. They hate being confused, intimidated, and embarrassed by math. With understanding comes passion, and with passion comes growth – a treasure is unlocked.”
–Larry Martinek, Mathnasium Co-Founder, and Chief Instructional Officer
Mathnasium isn’t just about remediation or getting your child through a rough patch. It’s about changing their outlook on math, creating a solid foundation, and building their confidence. And that is something they will benefit from for the rest of their lives.
Are you interested in seeing what Mathnasium is all about?
Mathnasium of Pensacola is offering a FREE 30-minute Homework Help Session for PMC readers*
(*Offer valid through Feburary 15, 2021 and must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance)
Contact Mathnasium of Pensacola at 850-490-3606 to schedule your child’s risk-free assessment, or click here to use the online scheduler.