When Joel Tillman was working as an alternative education and substitute teacher, he enjoyed working with the kids, but he felt that there was something missing in the way in which he was able to meet their needs in the classroom.
“I didn’t feel like I was able to reach as many kids as I could,” says Tillman. “With the restrictions on how classrooms are, there are always students who need more help, and then there are kids who are bored because they learn so quickly.”
That’s when Tillman came across the
Mathnasium concept, a math tutoring franchise that allows students to learn in individualized ways that make sense to them. The center is designed for both students who need additional help to keep up, and gifted students who are ready to move ahead of their peers.
“They explain math in terms that students have already been exposed to,” Tillman says. “With this individualized approach, I can reach more kids and help them overcome their fear toward math.”
On June 18, Tillman will open the Lansing area’s first Mathnasium in a 1,200 square foot space within Jolly Oak Convenience Center at the northeast corner of Jolly and Okemos Roads.
CBRE|Martin now reports that the center is at 100 percent occupancy.
“When I moved to Okemos, I got to know the community,” says Tillman. “I realized it was a community that cares about education.”
Tillman will hire four part-time instructors to help him run Mathnasium. Should the Okemos center be well received, he hopes to open additional Mathnasium centers in the future.
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