Math Addvantage Tutors

Our tutors have an unmatched level of math expertise and include licensed teachers, engineers and mathematicians. Beyond their technical understanding of mathematics, they are able to teach difficult concepts in a variety of ways. Our expertise, coupled with our understanding of a student’s unique learning style, set us apart from other tutoring services. To ensure peace of mind for our parents, we professionally screen all of our tutors prior to hire.

Lisa Finke

Lisa Finke is the director and founder of Math Addvantage. With over 25 years of tutoring experience, she currently specializes in teaching the science and math portions of the ACT as well as high school math. She has a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Tulane University.

“I enjoy getting to know each student and watching him or her become competent in a subject that was once difficult. I am particularly perceptive about how to teach students with different learning styles. It is important to me to establish a caring and fun environment at the center for all the students. Tutoring is my passion!”

Laura Petersen

Laura Petersen has a degree in Mechanical Engineering and worked for  5 years in both manufacturing and design engineering of computer systems. She has been tutoring at Math Addvantage for 14 years.   

“I feel fortunate that I have gotten to know so many students from tutoring — our students are the best! I am always inspired by the students who come to us so frustrated but continue to work really hard to gain understanding. Tutoring is really rewarding to me.”

Sue Knight

Sue Knight attended St. Olaf College and the University of Minnesota–Twin Cities where she studied psychology and education. She worked for 18 years in the travel industry before taking time off to raise her three children. She has been with Math Addvantage for 10 years.

“I love working at Math Addvantage! I consider it a privilege to be able to help students improve their math while getting to know each student as an individual.”

Allison Burnett

Allison Burnett graduated from Iowa State University and went on to work as a manufacturing engineer and as a business analyst. She has been tutoring since high school and has been with Math Addvantage since 2006. 

“I try to make each tutoring session fun and see how my student learns so I can tailor each session to his or her exact needs. I have a special place in my heart for kids with dyslexia and dysgraphia. Both my brother and son are faced with the challenges those diagnoses bring. My favorite tutoring quote is ‘Kids won’t care what you say or what you know until they know you care.’”

Mickey Sheu

Mickey Sheu graduated from Stanford University with a degree in mathematics. He has been working at Math Addvantage for 3 years and tutored 5 years before joining our team. 

“I tutor because I find math (and the thinking behind it) useful and fascinating; and I love to help others see it the same way. I seek to find ways to not only solve the problem at hand, but also connect it to prior material to improve understanding and usability. I’m not about cramming for tests, but about real learning, working hard and reaping rewards. No one remembers their calculus formulas, but the skills and reasoning you learn from working through math subjects do stick. That’s why I tutor.”

Jenna Clark

Jenna Clark attended Eagan High School and received her bachelor’s degree in Teaching Mathematics from the University of Minnesota–Duluth. She began teaching her peers at the university’s tutoring center. She is currently a math teacher at Burnsville High School and is working toward a master’s degree at Concordia University. She has been tutoring with Math Addvantage for 3 years.

“Tutoring is a great way to build the math skills and confidence of my students.  My favorite quote is ‘They can because they think they can.’"

Jocelyn Winter

Jocelyn Winter graduated from Luther College in 2010, with a degree in Social Work.  She spent the past school year tutoring middle school students in North Minneapolis.  She just started tutoring at Math Addvantage this school year. 

“I love tutoring math because I enjoy watching students finally understand something that they didn't understand before.  I believe that the math material is just as important as the tutor-student relationship I have with them.”

Spencer Ingaldson

Spencer Ingaldson is a graduate of Purdue University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He currently works for the Trane Company as a Sales Engineer. Spencer has a background in athletics and coaching including playing baseball in college for Purdue and currently teaching hitting and fielding lessons.  This is his first year tutoring with Math Addvantage.

“I'm excited to match my coaching skills with my strength and interest in mathematics.  My goal is to help students appreciate and enjoy math just as I do.  Seeing the students make progress, find solutions and grow their confidence is extremely rewarding.”
 

Ryan Finke

Ryan Finke is a graduate of Iowa State University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He recently moved back to the area after working for a company that designed theater stunts. This is his first year tutoring with Math Addvantage.

“I have a passion for teaching.  I come from a family of coaches, teachers and tutors and this background has instilled in me the desire to help teach, encourage and motivate.  I am ready to assist my students however I can and maybe along the way we will have a bit of fun!”