About Avatar

Building Confident Minds for a Better Tomorrow

At Avatar Learning Center, we see a world where every student views math, science, and coding not as hurdles, but as stepping stones to success. Our people, technology and service come together to deliver a one-of-a-kind learning experience.

Our Mission

At Avatar Learning Center, our purpose is clear: to nurture potential and inspire lifelong scientific curiosity through engaging online STEM education.

With this vision in mind, we founded Avatar Learning Center in 2020 to bring joy, curiosity, and deeper meaning to math and science learning. As highlighted in Washington Parent — “AvatarMath: Where Every Problem Has a Solution” — our approach helps students see math not as memorization, but as logic, discovery, and confidence-building.

As founders, we are four women with PhDs in science who personally experienced the challenges of succeeding in a STEM education system that is not always welcoming to every learner. At the same time, we are mothers who watched with pride as our own children gradually gained confidence and clarity in math and science. Through those experiences, we recognized the power of thoughtful instruction, encouragement, and the right teaching approach.

That unique perspective emboldened us. Having worked and studied all over the world, we benefited from the very best in international STEM education. At the same time, we came to recognize the shortcomings of the American education system.

Over time, we grieved as girls and students of color were passed over for opportunities. Likewise, we ached when, year after year, global rankings showed the United States lagging behind in nearly every benchmark of math and science learning.

As a result, it is no accident that many children say they “hate math” and find “science boring.” Nor is it surprising that our country’s fastest-growing companies struggle to find local talent to fill lucrative science, engineering, and coding jobs.

We knew there was a better way…

Too often, math and science are taught in a dull and disconnected way, with little connection to real-world applications. As a result, students struggle to see the relevance of what they are learning. Yet, any parent who has ever tried to answer why the sky is blue knows that children are naturally curious. In fact, they want to understand and explore the world around them — they want to experiment, engage their senses, and go beyond the textbook.

For this reason, we created Avatar Learning Center — to blend a scientist’s expertise with a parent’s intuitive understanding of how children learn. Our mission is simple: deliver world-class math and science education to all learners at an affordable price.

To achieve this, we use innovative teaching methods, scientist-tutors, and hands-on experiments. Ultimately, our goal is to empower the next generation of thinkers, problem solvers, and innovators.

Our Values

Ignite
Curiosity

Spark a lifelong love for learning by fostering curiosity and exploration in STEM subjects.

Nurture
Potential

Recognize and cultivate the unique strengths and talents of each student, empowering them to reach their full potential in science, technology, coding and math.

Foster
Collaboration

Encourage collaboration and teamwork, promoting a supportive and inclusive learning environment where students can learn from and inspire each other.

Innovate
with Purpose

Embrace innovative teaching methods and technologies to provide engaging and effective STEM education that prepares students for the challenges of the future.

Promote
Diversity and Inclusion

Create a welcoming and inclusive space where students from all backgrounds feel valued and empowered to contribute to the field of STEM. Hire tutors who serve as diverse role models for all students.

Strive
for Excellence

Maintain a commitment to excellence in every aspect of teaching and curriculum, ensuring the highest quality education and outcomes for students.

The Avatar Team

Founders & Teaching Team

Meet the heart of Avatar Learning Center: four visionary mothers and dedicated math educators with deep STEM expertise. Their journey from engineering classmates to accomplished PhD scientists shaped an innovative, math-first approach to education—designed to build strong problem-solving skills, confidence, and a lasting love for mathematics in every student.

Our Team

Dr. Armine Arustamyan

Armine Arustamyan is a co-founder and math instructor at Avatar Learning Center, brings a wealth of experience from the nonprofit and corporate sectors. With multiple degrees in Physics, Engineering, and Business Administration, she’s passionate about teaching math, fostering critical thinking, and loves classic rock, Krav Maga, and family travels.

Dr. Astrid Babayan

Astrid Babayan is a co-founder and math instructor at Avatar Learning Center, holds an M.S. and Ph.D. in Mathematics and Industrial Engineering. With teaching, content development, and Data Scientist roles, she's devoted to inspiring young learners in math. Based in Boston, she cherishes family travels and outdoor adventures.

Dr. Maga Khachatryan

Maga Khachatryan is a co-founder at Avatar Learning Center, holds a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering. With experience leading analytics projects for Fortune 500 companies, she mentors in STEM, champions women in OR and Data Science, and enjoys piano, travel, and family time with her three children.

Dr. Lana Yeganova

Lana Yeganova is a co-founder and math instructor at Avatar Learning Center, is a scientist at the National Institutes of Health. With a Ph.D. in Mathematical Optimization, she pioneers Data Science in biomedical applications. Living in Potomac, MD, she's driven to establish an online math school, inspired by her children's education during the pandemic.

Dr. Aram Vartanyan

A math instructor at Avatar Learning Center, works at Johns Hopkins University's Applied Physics Lab as a physicist. With a Ph.D. from the University of Maryland, he specializes in radar, radiation, lasers, and software. Outside, he values family, philosophical discussions, nature, and global travel.

Dr. Marianna Khachaturyan

A math instructor at Avatar Learning Center, holds an M.S. and Ph.D. in Economics. Passionate about teaching, she tailors math and stats guidance to diverse learning styles, focusing on student-centered learning. Apart from teaching, she values family, reading, and language learning.

Ms. Nune Grigorian

A math instructor at Avatar Learning Center and a Fresno high school teacher, holds an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering. With 14+ years teaching, including Stanford’s Hollyhock Fellowship, she's passionate about education, enjoys classical music, historical movies, and exploring while residing in Fresno with her family.

Ms. Natalia Shmeleva

A mathematics and science instructor at Avatar Learning Center, holds Master's degrees in Physics from MEPhI and Biology from Georgia Tech. With expertise in ACT/SAT prep, she fosters confidence through learning from mistakes, teaching math fundamentals and efficient shortcuts. Outside teaching, she delves into art philosophy, opera, and French history.

Dr. Eva Darian

Avatar Learning Center's science instructor and Physics Professor at Northern Virginia Community College, specializes in General Physics and Computational Chemistry. With degrees in Statistical Physics and Computational Drug Design, she enjoys coaching, traveling, supporting sports, baking, and home improvements.

Dr. Jeff Pobst

A math instructor at Avatar Learning Center, works as a Senior Data Scientist at Bayer, crafting diverse machine learning models. Holding a Ph.D. in Physics, his thesis explored visual processing in reptilian brains. Based in Chesterfield, MO, he indulges in hiking, photography, tennis, woodworking, games, and travel with his fiancée.

Ms. Manik Adjemian

A math instructor at Avatar Learning Center and Fresno High School teacher, holds an M.S. in Physics with minors in Mathematics and Education. Complementing her teaching with a Stanford Data Science program, she values students’ academic struggles, aiding their understanding and success. Residing in Clovis, CA, she enjoys family time, travel, baking, and fruit/vegetable carving.

Ms. Chetna Aggarwal

A skilled math instructor at Avatar Learning Center, holds a Master’s in Computer Engineering and works as a Programmer. Passionate about STEM, she engages children in tech-related activities. As a mother, she values Avatar's enriching experiences for her daughters. Outside, she enjoys workouts, swimming, hiking, and unwinding with board games.

The Avatar Difference

What Makes Avatar Different?

STEM-Focused Curriculum

Avatar specializes in a curriculum centered around STEM, fostering a comprehensive learning environment.

PhD-Level Instructors

Our team comprises educators who hold PhDs in STEM fields, ensuring expert-level teaching

Customized Learning Plans

We tailor our teaching strategies to meet the individual needs of each student, recognizing and nurturing their unique strengths.

Innovative Teaching Methods

Utilizing the latest educational technologies and methodologies, Avatar keeps students engaged and excited about learning.

Diverse and Inclusive Environment

We actively work to create a learning space that is welcoming and inclusive for all students, regardless of their background.

Hands-On Experience

Our courses offer practical, hands-on learning experiences, moving beyond theory to actual application.

Empowering Young Minds

Avatar is dedicated to empowering students, particularly in closing the gender gap in STEM fields.

Parental Involvement

We believe in keeping parents involved and informed about their child's progress and offer regular updates and feedback.

After-School and Enrichment Programs

Avatar provides a variety of after-school and enrichment programs to supplement regular school learning.

Commitment to Excellence

Driven by a passion for STEM education, Avatar maintains a high standard of excellence in every aspect of our teaching and curriculum.