Local Business Spotlight Mathnasium of Buffalo Grove and more

This Patch article is sponsored by Mathnasium of Buffalo Grove, Crystal Lake & South Elgin.

Local businesses are the heart of our communities. Patch had a chance to talk with Michael J Ammer, Mathnasium Math Learning Center, of Mathnasium of Buffalo Grove, Crystal Lake & South Elgin.

Patch: Tell us a bit about your business or organization:
Michael J Ammer: For decades the Mathnasium Method™ has transformed the way kids learn math. We build a foundation for math mastery through deep understanding by starting with what they already know, addressing any learning gaps, expanding their mathematical thinking, and adding new concepts in sequence. This proprietary method works for kids of all ages and skill levels, whether they’re struggling in math, doing okay but could be doing better, or are already excelling but need more of a challenge. When kids see what they can achieve because of their proficiency in math, it can alter the course of their entire lives.

Patch: How long have you been doing business in town?
Michael J Ammer: Mathnasium was started in 2002 and we have been open locally since 2014.

Patch: What attracted you to the line of work you’re in, and how did you get started?
Michael J Ammer: I Opening a Mathnasium center allowed me to combine my love of children and math while providing a valuable service to the community. There are a lot of kid centric activities in this community. The schools in this area are considered very good schools. We are very active with-in the Chamber of Commerce and with the park district & we sponsor many school and PTA/PTO events. I have always had a passion for math. In High School, I would go to the math class during my study period and help the students that were having a hard time. The students enjoyed my help much more than the teachers. I still remember the week of Mathnasium training I went to in Los Angeles. There were so many things they taught us. I could not help thinking, ""WOW, this makes so much and it is so much easier to think about solving a problem the way it was shown. Why don't we teach kids this way in school!"" Changing Lives Through Math" is not just a tag line, it is what we do!

Patch: What's the most common piece of advice you give to customers?
Michael J Ammer: We are contacted by parents just like you every day looking for a math tutor. Tutoring is one way of getting help if your child is or has been struggling with math. What parents have found is that they thought that tutoring was the way to get help for their child. In most cases TUTORING IS NOT THE RIGHT ANSWER! If your child has done very well in math and then all of a sudden they are struggling, that could be a good sign a tutor might be needed. Tutoring helps with todays homework or to prep for a test and it is a short term solution. Many of the parents that contact us, have children that have been struggling for well over six months. In almost all cases when there has been struggling for more than a short period of time, tutoring is not the answer. Mathnasium is, the answer. We fix the reason they are struggling in the first place.

Patch: What’s the most satisfying part of your job?
Michael J Ammer: Watching kids have the "AHA" moment!

Patch: How would you say your business or organization distinguishes itself from the others?
Michael J Ammer: To us you are not a customer, you become part of our family. We understand that you are trusting us with the most important thing in your life, your child! We are really big on created relationships with our families that join Mathnasium. If you have ever struggled with math you know the anxiety is real and it can shut down your brain. We are a safe zone for your child. We make math fun and we are changes lives through math.