Growing the STEM: Influencing Math Attitude AND Aptitude

Lilian Smith is a junior at Coeur d'Alene High School who enjoys cross country,  tennis, Scholastics, debate, student council, and Mathletes.  Lilian loves to teach students new tricks through interactive games and to see their growth over the year. Lilian is also a co-founder of Growing the STEM, serves as president of the GTS Board of Directors, and coaches the Borah STEM Club. This is her third year coaching at Fernan.

Abby Buzolich is a sophomore at Coeur d’Alene High School and hopes to become a nurse. She runs cross country and track and loves to swim, hang out with friends, and be outdoors. Abby enjoys coaching because she thinks it is fun to see the kids grow in their math skills and make life long memories and friends. This is Abby’s second year coaching at Fernan.

James Hagman is a sophomore at Coeur d’Alene High School who plans to study engineering in college. His interests include clarinet, video games, and bowling. James thinks it is fun to see kiddos work math problems, as it reminds him of his own learning process and his strong interest in math. This is James’ second year coaching at Fernan.

Lance Emry is an eighth grader at Coeur d’Alene Charter Academy who aspires to a career in business. He is a member of the state champion water polo team and enjoys fishing, cross country skiing, video games, and math. Lance enjoyed Math is Cool as an elementary student and likes coaching because he wants other kids to have fun math experiences. This is Lance’s second year coaching at Fernan

Jayden Johnson is a senior at Coeur d'Alene High School and this is his first year teaching at Fernan. He participates in soccer, tennis, bowling, mathletes, and scholastics. Jayden wants to be a cardiovascular surgeon when he grows up. Jayden loves to help little kids become interested in math and see their smiling faces everyday.

Addy Curtis is a junior at Coeur d’Alene High School who hopes to go into business and marketing. She participates in Scholastics, National Honor Society, Key Club, skiing, and tennis. Addy thinks Math is Cool is a good opportunity to apply her math skills in order to help elementary school kids.

Olivia Jacobsen is a sophomore at Coeur d’Alene High School with an interest in pursuing law. She enjoys participating in Ski Club, tennis, and Key Club. Olivia is excited to help out young kids, teach them new math skills, and have fun.

Michael Spoerl is a seventh grader at Canfield Middle School interested in pursuing music as a career. He enjoys participating in baseball, basketball, and bowling. Michael loves math and working with kids to watch them succeed in something they love. 

Cooper Irwin is a seventh grader at Canfield Middle School. He enjoys soccer, Rubik’s Cubes, hiking, fishing, and bike riding. Cooper likes working with kids and watching them grow in math.

Payson Irwin is a seventh grader at Canfield Middle School. He participates in soccer, juggling, bike riding, fishing, and camping. Payson decided to coach because he wanted to see what teaching is like and he likes working with kids.

Owen Mangini is a seventh grader at Coeur d’Alene Charter Academy interested in a sports-based future career. He enjoys playing baseball and made it to regionals last year. Owen coaches Math is Cool because he likes math and loves teaching younger kids how to do math they’re struggling with.

Ms. Heather Mangini is the Advanced Learning Program teacher at Fernan STEM Academy.

Lilian Smith is a sophomore at Coeur d'Alene High School who aspires to a career in chemistry research and teaching. She enjoys cross country, tennis, Scholastics, debate, student council, and working at Abi’s Ice Cream. Lilian loves to teach the Math is Cool students new tricks through interactive games and to see their growth from the beginning of practices to the competition. Lilian is also a co-founder of Growing the STEM and serves as president of the GTS Board of Directors.

Abigail Buzolich is a freshman at Coeur d’Alene High School and hopes to become a nurse. She runs cross country and track and loves to swim, hang out with friends, and be outdoors. Abby enjoys coaching because she thinks it is fun to see the kids grow in their math skills and make life long memories and friends.

Lance Emry is a 7th grader at Coeur d’Alene Charter Academy who aspires to a career in business. He is a member of the state champion water polo team and enjoys fishing, cross country skiing, video games, and math. Lance enjoyed Math is Cool as an elementary student and likes coaching because he wants other kids to have fun math experiences.

James Hagman is a freshman at Coeur d’Alene High School who plans to study engineering in college. His interests include clarinet, video games, and bowling. James thinks it is fun to see kiddos work math problems, as it reminds him of his own learning process and his strong interest in math.

Ms. Heather Mangini is the Advanced Learning Program teacher at Fernan STEM Academy.