Meet Dr. Aditya Nagrath Ph.D.

Dr. Nagrath helps students overcome mathematics anxiety.  Aditya is the creator and founder of Elephant Learning Mathematics Academy which helps students learn years of mathematics over the course of a few months using their system just 10 minutes per day, 3 days per week.

With a PhD in Mathematics & Computer Sciences, Dr. Nagrath has spent over 30 years in industry as a software engineer, author, leader, speaker, and serial entrepreneur working on everything from atomic clocks to iOS and Android apps to Amazon’s Kindle Fire. As the Founder of Elephant Head Software, which won the prestigious JD Edwards Innovation Award in 2015, he has also done software projects for Pearson, Verizon, Telefonica, JD Edwards (Oracle), and other billion dollar companies.

Now with Elephant Learning, Dr. Nagrath has taught nearly 200,000 years of mathematics to over 160,000 students around the world, and is on a mission to change the way the world teaches mathematics.

With a Facebook following of over 54k, Aditya has spoken at the University of Denver, and is the author of numerous scientific works, a series of blogs on learning mathematics, as well as the Amazon Best Sellers “Rethinking Math Learning” and "Treating Mathematics Anxiety." For his expertise, Dr. Nagrath has been recognized by the California Department of Education and featured in over 100 podcasts, news articles, interviews, and television/video appearances.

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Aditya Has Been Featured On:

Bringing Education Home

With
Kristina and Herb Heagh-Avritt

Let’s get real about math—it's not just about numbers; it’s about connection! In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Aditya Nagrath, who’s revolutionizing math education one child at a time. He dives deep into the concept of math anxiety and how it can stem from a lack of foundational vocabulary. Kids are often left scrambling when they don’t understand basic concepts, and that’s where Dr. Nagrath’s Elephant Learning Mathematics Academy comes into play. We explore how his system helps kids learn math in a way that’s engaging and effective, with a focus on understanding rather than rote memorization. Plus, we chat about the role of parents in this journey. It’s not just about teaching; it’s about fostering a love for learning. Dr. Nagrath shares tips for parents to help their kids build confidence in math, turning anxiety into enthusiasm. And let’s not forget the power of gamification in education! You’ll want to grab some popcorn for this episode because it’s a rollercoaster of insights, laughs, and a whole lot of math magic!

Time for Teachership

With
Lindsay Lyons

In this powerful episode of Time for Teachership, Lindsay Lyons speaks with Dr. Aditya Nagrath, founder of Elephant Learning, about transforming how we teach and experience mathematics. Together, they challenge the traditional view of math as memorization and computation and reframe it as a language for solving real-world problems. From addressing math anxiety to bridging learning gaps for older students, this conversation explores how conceptual understanding, student confidence, and meaningful application can radically shift math education for learners of all ages. If you've ever wondered how to support students who feel "behind" in math—or how to make math more joyful, relevant, and accessible—this episode is for you.

Parenting Shrink Wrapped

With
Dr. Melissa Wellner and Samantha Straub

What if math anxiety isn’t about intelligence at all? In this episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, Sam and Melissa sit down with Dr. Aditya Nagrath, founder of Elephant Learning Mathematics Academy, to explore why so many kids struggle with math and what parents can do to help. Together, they unpack how missing foundational number concepts can create frustration, avoidance, and anxiety later in middle school and high school, especially around algebra. This conversation offers practical insight into how parents can support confidence, reduce overwhelm, and help kids reconnect with learning in a healthier way.

Homeschool Yo Kids Podcast

With
Jae Carter

In this episode of the Homeschool Your Kids podcast, host Jae sits down with Dr. Aditya Nagrath, the founder of Elephant Learning Mathematics Academy and author of Treating Mathematics Anxiety. They explore the startling reality that many children enter kindergarten unprepared for the math curriculum due to a gap in language and vocabulary. Dr. Nagrath explains why viewing math as a language rather than just a set of rules can transform a childs confidence and performance.You will learn about the basketball analogy for learning math, the importance of conceptual understanding over rote memorization, and how the Elephant Learning app helps students from age two through algebra. Dr. Nagrath also shares his personal wellness routine and offers three essential tips for parents to help their children succeed in mathematics. Whether your child is just starting out or struggling with high school algebra, this conversation provides a roadmap for building a strong mathematical foundation.

Big Ideas in Education

With
Ryan Kairalla

This week, Ryan sits with Dr. Aditya Nagrath, acclaimed mathematician and the best-selling author of Treating Mathematics Anxiety: Inclusive Strategies for Working with Students Exhibiting Mathematics Anxiety. Dr. Nagrath discusses the gap in kindergarten math learners, helping students understand the subject at an early age, implications as they advance in mathematical topics, addressing skill gaps in math and how other subjects can be impacted, how artificial intelligence can support educators, and more. Tune in!

The EdTech Startup Show

With
Gerard Dawson

Today's guest on the EdTech Startup Show is Dr. Aditya Nagrath, CEO of Elephant Learning Math Academy. Dr. Aditya Nagrath is the co-founder of Elephant Learning Math Academy, a platform that promises to teach children 1.5 years of math in 10 weeks using the system just 30 minutes per week. Dr. Nagrath holds a PhD in Mathematics & Computer Science from University of Denver. After a decade in University, Dr. Nagrath graduated to found Elephant Head Software where he led a team of no more than 10 engineers to bring over 35 different product lines with over 50 different applications to market between 2009 and 2016.

Mindful Parenting

With
Amanda Houle

I am beyond the the guy who created mixergy. I’m now also passionate and curious about homeschooling after my kids were told that they couldn’t go to school because of COVID-19. I think that the world is changing. I think there are many people like me who are in the in the world of homeschooling who are saying, I gotta take it on. I have to take it on. I’ll figure it out. Well, today’s guest is the co-founder of Elephant Learning, a gamification of a proven curriculum. I’m curious about how the pandemic is impacting his business. So I invited him here to talk about it.

The Disco Posse Podcast

With
Eric Wright

Aditya Nagrath is the founder of Elephant Learning Academy and shares a heartfelt story of how our school system and the math learning programs are not doing what they need to do. You are hearing the story about how this project is the pinnacle of Aditya's life's work as a mathematician, software engineer & technologist, and entrepreneur. The lessons he shares are amazing and the numbers and statistics that we discuss about the effect of mathematics on the entire future of a child's learning may be frightening, but the fact that Aditya is doing something to change that is something you will thoroughly enjoy out of a great conversation. Great lessons on being a founder, and doing good with technology which is something I think we all need to learn from.

9News: How an app is getting kids excited about mathematics

With
Kyle Clark & Byron Reed

9News interviews a parent whose 2-year old is now doing kindergarten mathematics because of Elephant Learning.