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About Us

We were built to build math capacity.

Eurekii was founded in 2019 by math lovers dedicated to transforming math education, one student and one classroom at a time. Our mission is to make a difference in students’ math learning and performance and to build math capacity in schools across the country. 

The program quickly grew to classrooms and schools through in-person and virtual math tutoring and math educator training. Today, through its unique Eurekii 3D school program and other options, Eurekii is helping schools change how they teach math to build math capacity and better futures.   

Our story is also one of transformation. When founder Phyllis Hillwig, EdD, created Eurekii, the focus was on math tutoring through one-on-one in-person or virtual sessions with individual students. Eurekii got results with its singular approach of infusing joy and fun using the latest brain science research on how kids best learn and cutting-edge math pedagogy. By creating customized, fun, challenging, and engaging lessons, students were learning to love math – all while improving both confidence and math scores.  

phyllis at an open house

Connection + fun + rigor = student math success

This simple equation drives everything we do in schools and with individual students through our program for families. It all starts with a connection. Our tutors connect with students and teachers. Families and schools connect with our philosophy and proven techniques. And we ensure that every one of our programs are steeped in fun and rigor and connected to nationwide benchmarks to measure progress.

We are part of the solution.

Giving back is a founding principle at Eurekii. We’re deeply committed to making quality math education more equitable for all students and offer free programs to many of our underserved schools. We offer:

  • Free, four-week virtual enrichment program that challenges and motivates your highest achievers, setting a new culture and bar for your school.
  • Free math teacher and staff observations that guide leadership on next steps in strengthening their school-wide math capacity.
  • Books, puzzles, and other needs a school may have but cannot afford.
Let Us Help

We love what we do.

We are a group of fun, humble, eager learners that love helping people learn math. If that sounds like you, we’d love to have you as part of our team. Our requirements? An open mind for learning, a love for working with children, and a desire to be a great team member.

In return, you will develop a deep appreciation of math, work in a growing company, enjoy a flexible schedule, and get a ton of training and connections that will help you grow as a professional.

Join Eurekii
Students smiling

Our Team

Dr. Phyllis Hillwig

Founder

30+ years in education, training teachers, creating math curriculum products, tutoring students, and teaching at K-12 through college

B.S., Mathematics, Lafayette College

M.A., Ed.D., Teachers College, Columbia University with a focus on urban education

Fun Facts:  Born in Taipei, Taiwan and started her MBA training at age six, working in her family’s Chinese restaurant. She learned about customer service, burning rice, and how to fold napkins in the shape of a bird. She’s started four education companies and has built award-winning products for major education publishers. Her passion is watching the lightbulb go off when a student understands something new.

Specialized Grades: K-12 and Higher Education, Professional Development in Mathematics Education

Leah Del Rosario

Program Director

 B.A., Elementary Education, Math Concentration, Towson University 

Fun Facts: Collects llama-themed mugs and has a brother named Luke. Loves to hike, exercise, and make nutritious meals that would make any celebrity chef jealous. 

Specialized Grades: Pre-K to 8

Content Areas: English, Reading, Math, Science, Social Studies

Specializing in K-8 mathematics, classroom management content strategies.  

Leannette Goodwin

Senior Tutor

BSE, Elementary Education, M.S., Library Media and Information Technology, TESOL certification, B.S. and M.A., University of Central Arkansas 

Fun Facts: As a retired teacher and Instructional Technology Specialist, being a Eurekii tutor is the perfect fit. She’s a blogger and novelist who also writes short stories for an ESL company in Hong Kong and loves digital and physical art projects and baking bread.

 Specialized Grades: K-6
Content Areas: Reading, ELA, Math, Technology, STEM/STEAM

Alec Marschke

Manager, Family Programs, Tutor

B.S., Biology, Summa Cum Laude, Towson University

Fun Facts: Alec has many different talents and interests. Prior to Eurekii, he was close to finishing his computer science degree but decided to try education instead. Alec used to work for a zoo and is an avid Orioles fan who never misses opening day.

Specializes:  Grades 1-12 Mathematics, Biology, Physics, Computer Science, some Chemistry

Arly Hernadez

In-Person School Coordinator

B.S., Family and Human Services, Towson University

Fun Facts: Arly is creative, fun, raised by educators, and a proud Taylor Swift devotee. She’s also watched more TV shows than she can count. 

Specialized Grades: K-12

Content Areas: Elementary Math, English, SAT Prep

Sanil Kumar

Senior Tutor

B.S., Mathematics and Geometry, M.S., Data Analytics, EdD., University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) 

Fun Facts: Sanil spends his free time making music, traveling, enjoying scary games and learning about Japanese history. His favorite color is pink and he’s a lead guitarist in a rock band and tours twice a year selling t-shirts.

Specialized Grades: 6th-College

Content Areas: SAT and ACT Prep, Calculus and Geometry and History

Laura May

Virtual Team Lead and Trainer

B.A. Psychology, Cum Laude, UT Texas

Fun Facts: Laura found math challenging when growing up but learned that she was very good at it because she found new ways to approach the subject. She loves the outdoors and camping with her children.  

Specialized Grades: K-8

Content Areas: English and Math

Yakira Bryan

Tutor

Associates Degree Strayer University

Fun Facts: Yakira loves working with children at Eurekii and helping her son in math. She enjoys learning new skills and curling up with a good book.

Specializations: Elementary math K-5.

Sean Turner

Tutor

B.S. in Elementary Education, York College
TEFL and TESOL certification 

Fun Facts: Sean taught in South Korea and Spain for 10 years. While he loves tutoring students, he also enjoys baking and living abroad. He and his wife run a bakery outside of Spain and are five minutes from the beach.

Specializes: Grades K-8 Mathematics and English, ESL

Tim Spangrud

Tutor

B.S. in Computer Science, B.S. in Mathematics, University of Minnesota

Specializes: Grades 3-12 Mathematics 

Fun Facts: Tim enjoys exercise and once exercised with Richard Simmons, a famous fitness coach. Tim is learning the Karen language from the Burma and Thailand areas.

Amy Bowden

Tutor

B.S. Mathematics, University of Mary Washington 

MAT (Master of Arts in Teaching), Goucher College

Certification in Secondary Education in Mathematics

Fun Facts: Amy loves women’s basketball and cheering for the Washington Mystics and the University of Maryland women’s basketball team. She’s passionate about Baltimore and working in-person with our scholars.

Specializes: Grades 1-12 Mathematics

Dreemur Dixon

Tutor

Associates Degree from Baltimore City College and York College of Pennsylvania.

Fun Facts: Dreemur always enjoyed working with kids and engaging audiences. She went to college for music production and has taught children and adults taekwondo for four years. Dreemur likes to go to the gym, listen to good music, and picnics!

Specialization K-5 math

Kate Kim

Tutor, Project Team Member, Tutor training

M.S. Mathematics Education, Maryland

Fun Facts: Kate likes helping students become friends with math whether they love to do math or the opposite. Also, she often learns from students and is amazed by students’ creativity in solving problems. Kate loves animals, outdoor activities and is a National Park lover.

Specialized Grades: K-12Content Areas: Math and Science

Padmaja

Tutor

Bachelor of Science in Electronics and Mathematics

Post Graduate Diploma in Management and Computer Applications

Padma loves working with children and is passionate about helping them enjoy solving math problems.
She believes that fun and interactive learning is the key to a student’s success!

Padma loves exploring nature trails and relaxing with a good book under a tree.

We are always adding to our staff! This could be you. If you enjoy working with kids and have a passion for learning, let’s connect!

Check back often! We are always adding new tutors to our family!