Faculty & Staff Directory

Mary Carroll

Math Department Chair &
Math Teacher
mcarroll@catsboston.com

BA, Mathematics, Carleton College, Minnesota. MA, Liberal Studies, Reed College, Oregon

Mary Carroll is the Chair of the mathematics department. She works with teachers to provide a challenging math curriculum to suit the needs of all students. She also teaches Multivariable Calculus Honors, AP Statistics and Honors Statistics. Prior to joining CATS Academy, Mary taught high school mathematics in Costa Rica, Turkey, Spain and the Dominican Republic, as well as the US. She has a Master’s degree in Liberal Studies from Reed College in Oregon and an undergraduate degree in mathematics from Carleton College in Minnesota.

Dr. Mustapha Coker

Math Teacher
mcoker@catsboston.com

Dr. Mustapha Coker, teaching his second year as a math teacher at CATS Academy. He has been teaching math and English as a Second Language (ESL) in Middle and High School students in and around Boston for the past 10 years. He teaches Integrated Mathematics I and II, and Algebra II Mathematics. He is also an assistant soccer coach and assistant to the Athletics Director in everything soccer. He actively recruits drummers for drum circle performances. He completed his PhD this year in Education Leadership and International Policy Analysis study at the University of Massachusetts, Boston. He speaks diverse African dialects, conversational French, (currently learning Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Arabic). His dissertation research looked to understand further how English language learners or speakers of other languages learn mathematics in English only Mathematics classrooms through Cultural Activity Theoretical Lens. He has his Master’s degree in Education with special focus on teaching Elementary, Middle and High School Mathematics. He received his undergraduate degree in Political Science and English Literature at the University of Massachusetts, Boston. He also received certification in computer science/programming from New Horizon Computer School in Boston. Dr. Coker claims to have inherited his “Happy Gene” from his mother who never stopped smiling😊

Justin De Santis

Math Teacher

Justin De Santis is a Math teacher specializing in discrete mathematics, proof writing, and game theory. He is also the coach of the CATS Boston Ultimate Frisbee team. Originally from Albany, New York, Justin is entering his ninth year at CATS Boston. Prior to joining CATS Justin spent five years living in Maine earning a bachelors degree in mathematics from Colby College and subsequently working as a high school math teacher, math team advisor, and tennis coach at Lee Academy. When not delivering inspiring math classes Justin can be found on campus enjoying a meal in the dining hall, working on his disc golf putting at the practice basket, or tossing an Ultimate disc by the soccer field. “As a math enthusiast, I feel so fortunate to be a part of the incredibly passionate and dedicated faculty here at CATS. I could not be more grateful to be given this opportunity to impart the wisdom of a subject I love to those who will sculpt the future of our world."

Kadijah Figarsky

Math Teacher
kfigarsky@catsboston.com

BS, Mathematics, Keene State College
MS, Mathematics, University of Connecticut Storrs

Khadija Figarsky joined CATS Academy in the fall of 2017. She teaches both Algebra II CP and Integrated Mathematics. Before joining the CATS faculty she worked in the field of neuroscience research at an NYU School of Medicine affiliated institute. Khadija started teaching math in graduate school, where she was a teaching assistant and adjunct faculty member, teaching numerous college-level courses. Khadija has lived on three continents, and she is fluent in three languages — English, French, and Arabic. And having studied and lived abroad, she is familiar with the unique needs of international students. Khadija holds an MS in Mathematics from the University of Connecticut Storrs and a BS in Mathematics from Keene State College. She is excited to be working with such a dynamic and diverse international student population at CATS.

Hannah Hilliker

Math Teacher
hhilliker@catsboston.com

Hannah is a Math Teacher.

Dominique Lomax

Math Teacher
dlomax@catsboston.com

BA, Mathematics Willamette University
MAT, Mathematics, Willamette University

Prior to joining CATS Academy, Dominique taught at a school in China for three years. Here she taught AP Calculus and Pre-calculus. Once returning to America she worked at various schools that had an international student body or an international focus. Dominique comes to CATS Academy with four years’ of teaching international students both in China and America. She understands how to support international students as they learn, not only mathematics, but the English used in mathematics. Dominique received her BA in Mathematics with a minor in Chinese Studies from Willamette University and her MAT from Willamette University's School of Education.