Paresh Birla and his wife Suman are making math fun for students with encouragement and positive reinforcement.
Mathnasium of Langhorne opened up its doors in November 2016 and offers a unique type of tutoring for students with a program that its operators know works. The company’s slogan sums up their mission: “We Make Math Make Sense.”
Originally from Mumbai, India, Paresh, a graduate of MIT Sloan School of Management and a computer engineer, and Suman, a teacher, saw the value in what the Mathnasium program offered students to help them become successful in their math. Students at Mathnasium have individualized learning plans that are customized to their specific needs and learning abilities. Paresh explained that each student receives their own binder and individualized attention.
“Unhappy kid walking in; happy kid walking out,” Paresh said, adding, “I know my program works.”
Paresh met with Larry Martinek, the founder of Mathnasium and immediately knew the former classroom teacher “got it.”
The center offers tutoring services for elementary, middle, and high school students. It operates within the Bensalem, Bristol Township, Council Rock, Neshaminy and Pennsbury school districts.
Mathnasium’s tutors teach math in a way that makes sense to each individual student. They focus on the core problem rather than handing students a worksheet to complete. They also offer enrichment programs for students who have succeeded above their grade level in the traditional school setting where they are unable to move forward but are able to continue learning and being challenged with Mathnasium, Paresh said.
Paresh explained, “the more challenging it is for the kids, it is more fun. If a challenge is taken out, they start going away from the math and then all of a sudden the math becomes more complex.”
Paresh thinks of his program as a complement to what students are learning in school. “There is no homework. What we want is an unhappy kid walking in and a happy kid walking out.”
Paresh explained that he believes that every child has the potential to succeed in math with encouragement and positive reinforcement. The walls of the center are depicted throughout with equations and quotations pertaining to math. Students also see while at the center the large red A+ on the back wall.
Recently, a student came in crying before completing an assessment. The boy, according to Paresh, thought he was not good at math. Since working with Mathnasium, he has since scored 100 percent on two consecutive tests. When a student achieves their first 100 percent, they are acknowledged on the blackboard. When that student achieves their second consecutive 100 percent, they are recognized on the front windows of the center.
Paresh always leaves his office door open, unless he is meeting with parents. He enjoys talking with parents as to how their child is doing while their child receives instruction from a tutor. He said he values the feedback he gets.
Paresh, Suman and their staff want to make a difference in the community. He hopes down the road a former student will stop in and let him know how well the instruction helped him.
The center operates Monday through Thursday from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays 9;30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The center offers once or twice per week instruction. Tutors must pass all background checks in addition to taking an assessment test scoring 85 or above. High school students interested in tutoring must score on their assessment test 96 or above. Student tutors are observed as to how they interact with the children.
Mathnasium’s goal is to make sure students get the most of their lessons while having fun. The goal of the Langhorne location is to fulfill the company’s mission to “make math make sense.”
(215) 909-6284 (MATH) | 154 North Flowers Mill Road, Langhorne PA 19047 | Visit Mathnasium of Langhorne’s Website
