Meet Noah Watkins, the center director at Mathnasium of Omaha West (www.mathnasium.com/omahawest).
Tell us a little about your business. – Mathnasium is a math-focused learning center that helps students build their competence and confidence in math. We help students from kindergarten through the end of high school with instructors who sit with students, meet them where they are, and give them strategies to help overcome any difficulties they have.
How did you get started in the business? – Originally, I went to college as a physics major, but quickly added an education major when I realized how rewarding and fun it was to help my classmates through difficult questions. I started at Mathnasium as a part-time instructor and fell in love with the ability to work with students one-on-one and get to know them. It’s been five years since I began, and I couldn’t be happier to continue to do what I love and make a difference in the lives of students.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – Overcoming the perspective that math is annoying. When topics become difficult for students they become a source of anxiety, frustration, and stress. It’s a slippery slope that leads to negative feedback loops where they don’t understand a lesson, do poorly on an assignment, and tell themselves that they are bad at math. I want to give those students the tools they need to regain their confidence in math.
Tell us a little about your family. – My dad and I will go out to new restaurants and talk about our favorite sci-fi shows. My mom is responsible for my love of math, as well as my cheesy sense of humor. I have three younger sisters who have helped me grow into the caring man I am today. Finally, our dog Maggie is the most relaxed dog on the planet.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – Whenever I find myself with a free afternoon, I really enjoy a good bike ride or playing board games with a few friends.
What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? – I had to retake my first math class in college. After getting straight A’s in high school, I hit a brick wall with Calculus II. It was a new level of difficulty I wasn’t expecting, and I was too proud to admit that I needed tutoring. It took me a few months to get over that hurdle and learn how to ask for help. Thankfully, I can look back on that experience and draw from it.
If you could have a super power, what would it be? – Cloning myself. I could be in two places at once, get more things done, play myself in chess like that one Pixar short…it’d be great.
What is your greatest talent that you don’t utilize in your daily work life? – I can bike with no hands, I think that’s pretty cool.
If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? – I think working at a national park next to some mountains would be a grand time.
What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? – Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is a hilarious read, but if you’re looking for something a bit more heartfelt, The Princess Bride is a classic.
What is your favorite movie? – Probably About Time, but Airplane is a close second.
What is your favorite local restaurant? – I love breakfast so I’ll say First Watch.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – (402) 676-6121; omahawest@mathnasium.com; Mathnasium of Omaha West (www.mathnasium.com/omahawest).