SVL Instructors

  • Taylor Dudek (she/her)

    6th Grade Math Teacher

    “I love working through the complex or ‘scary’ problems and feeling that sense of accomplishment after finally understanding something difficult.”

  • Nessie Slyker (they/them)

    Working on Math and Dance Degree

    “I love exploring people's natural curiosities when it comes to math since I believe math can always be fun and engaging.”

  • Joey Grabowski (he/him)

    Algebra 1 Teacher

    “I love how math is a giant web of different connections, pathways, and solution strategies!”

  • Nicole Casale (she/her)

    Working on Math Education Degree

    “I love incorporating art and math as much as possible & bringing ‘real world’ context.”

  • Jaileen Baptista (she/her)

    Middle School Teacher

    “I love increasing the representation and exposure of historically marginalized identities in math. It is my favorite way to support all math learners, but especially my female students and students of color”

  • Izzy Brady-Myerov (she/her)

    Working on Pure Mathematics Degree

    “I love the challenge of using logic to investigate complex problems.”

  • Elena Babson (she/they)

    Working on Special Education Degree

    “Showing all students that they are capable and able to succeed in math!”

  • Steve Zakon-Anderson (he/him)

    Middle School Math Teacher

    “Making it relevant to real life situations, addressing the question ‘When will I ever use this stuff?’”

  • Sarah Cohen (she/her)

    Working on Psychology Degree

    “I love using pictures and real world situations to show math can be used in everyday life, and the true importance and significance of it.“

  • Michelle Donato (she/her)

    Inclusive Pre-School Teacher

    “I love using manipulatives to make a problem more relatable and understandable .“

  • Gabby (she/her)

    MS/HS Support Teacher

    “I love that there are many ways of doing or explaining problems, whether that is drawing a picture, moving things around, or crunching some numbers.”

All of our instructors have experience teaching mathematics and have completed a training program that ensures we are delivering consistent high-quality support. Each instructor shares our vision of high-quality individualized mathematics instruction and has access to ongoing support from our team.

SVL Leadership

We started this company because we fundamentally believe that ALL students can learn mathematics deeply.

 

Mike Hayes

Co-Owner, Executive Director

Mike has 25+ years of experience working on math education in a variety of roles.  He has been a teacher, curriculum administrator, principal, and has taught current and future teachers in higher education.  Mike’s passion is to help every student to learn math deeply, no matter what their prior experiences in math are.

 

Joe Agron

Co-Owner, Director of Curriculum and Instruction

Joe has been working in mathematics education as a teacher, mentor, instructional coach, and professor for over 15 years. He is grounded in the belief that math can actually make sense and feel meaningful to everyone. He is committed to making high quality math education accessible to all students, but especially to those that are most often underserved by the current system.

 

Claudine Margolis

Co-Founder, Director of Research

Claudine taught middle and high school mathematics in Western Massachusetts before moving to Ann Arbor, MI. She is currently completing a Ph.D. in mathematics education at the University of Michigan where she studies how visual representations support conceptual understanding.

 

Alfie Alschuler

Co-Founder, Math Instructional Coach

Alfie has been teaching for over 25 years in settings ranging from elementary school to graduate school and in public, private and charter schools. He spent the bulk of his career working in middle schools teaching English Language Arts and Mathematics. Most recently he was an adjunct professor of education at Worcester State University. Alfie has a Masters of Education in Critical and Creative Thinking where he focused on the cognitive development of creativity.

 

Emily Williams Catt

Math Instructional Leader

Emily has taught mainly middle school math over the past 8 years and she is certified to teach grades 5-12. She has worked in a variety of educational settings including traditional public schools, charter public schools and now she has taken on the role of virtual math instructor and coach. While transitioning from in-person teaching to virtual has its challenges, Emily has enjoyed learning how to build community from across the country and connect with students and instructors through a variety of innovative tools and platforms.