Exploring Life & Business with Kevin Shustack of The Lyceum

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kevin Shustack.

Kevin, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’m a mathematics educator and the founder of The Lyceum, an academic institute based in the Mid-Wilshire area. My path to founding it was shaped by three parallel pursuits: teaching, writing, and performance. In many ways, though, it began much earlier—I was the kind of kid who would design my own math tests for fun, and I’ve always been drawn to the structure and creativity of the subject.

I hold a B.Sc. in Mathematics from McGill University, where I also studied English Literature—an academic combination that continues to influence how I approach both the content and communication of mathematics.

For many years, I worked as a private tutor and instructor, supporting students across a wide range of levels—from upper elementary through advanced high school coursework. I also served as a Lead Instructor at Mathnasium, where I began to more formally develop an approach centered on individualized instruction and diagnostic-driven learning. Across these experiences, I noticed a consistent pattern: students were often taught how to perform mathematical procedures, but not how to understand the ideas behind them.

At the same time, I was working professionally as a writer in television comedy and children’s animation, and as a crossword constructor. I also spent close to a decade performing stand-up comedy. Those experiences shaped how I think about communication—how to structure ideas, how to engage an audience, and how to make complex material feel both clear and compelling.

The Lyceum emerged as a natural convergence of these paths. It’s built around the idea that mathematics should be taught as a discipline of thinking, not just a set of techniques. Through diagnostic assessment, personalized curriculum design, and carefully structured lessons, we aim to help students develop genuine understanding, intellectual confidence, and long-term mastery.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I would say it’s been relatively smooth so far, though not without its challenges. The most persistent has been building something that feels both rigorous and genuinely accessible.

In education, there’s often a pull toward one of two extremes: highly structured but mechanical instruction, or more exploratory approaches that can lack clarity and progression. My goal with The Lyceum has been to bridge that gap—to create an environment where students are thinking deeply while also progressing in a clear and intentional way.

That has required a great deal of iteration. I’ve spent significant time designing and refining curriculum, developing assessment tools, and closely observing how students respond to different types of problems and lesson structures. In many ways, the process has been experimental—testing ideas in real time, learning from them, and improving.

Working with a small group of highly engaged students and families has made that process especially productive. Their feedback—both explicit and implicit—has been invaluable in shaping what The Lyceum is becoming.

As you know, we’re big fans of The Lyceum. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
At The Lyceum, we focus on helping students develop a deep and lasting understanding of mathematics.

Part of what makes our approach different is that we begin with diagnosis, not instruction. Every student undergoes an academic evaluation that helps us understand not just what they know, but how they think—where their understanding is strong, where it’s fragile, and how different concepts connect.

From there, we design a personalized curriculum that emphasizes structure, reasoning, and clarity. Rather than moving quickly through topics, we focus on helping students see the underlying ideas that unify them. A student might spend time working on number theory, algebra, or geometry, but the real goal is to develop habits of thinking: persistence, pattern recognition, and the ability to approach unfamiliar problems with confidence.

We also keep instruction intentionally low-tech. Most sessions are centered around a whiteboard, paper, and conversation. Technology supports the process behind the scenes, but the learning itself remains focused, human, and interactive.

What were you like growing up?
Growing up, my two major passions were math and performing. I was always a very conscientious student—definitely not a class clown—but I still loved to entertain people. I acted in several of my high school’s theatrical productions, including star turns as Hamlet and Macbeth, but I often found myself drawn to the smaller comedic roles, where timing and subtlety mattered more than scale.

At the same time, I had a deep and enduring interest in mathematics. I’ve always been drawn to the structure of the subject, the way complex ideas could emerge from simple rules, and the satisfaction of seeing something click into place. There’s a genuine thrill to discovering a mathematical truth for yourself—and you don’t have to be a “math genius” to access it. One of the most rewarding parts of my current work is helping students of all academic backgrounds experience that same moment of clarity—when something that once seemed opaque suddenly becomes simple, even inevitable.

Over time, I’ve found that when students experience enough of these moments, they stop seeing mathematics as something to be endured, and begin to see it as a rich, multifarious landscape to explore.

Pricing:

• The Lyceum is a boutique academic program with limited enrollment, allowing for highly individualized instruction
• Programs are customized based on each student’s needs, goals, and level of study
• All new students begin with an academic evaluation to determine appropriate placement and structure
• Ongoing instruction is offered through individualized sessions with flexible scheduling options
• For detailed information, families are encouraged to reach out directly at [email protected]

Contact Info:

• Website: https://thelyceumla.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelyceumla/