Accomplished Math Teacher | Turning Math Anxiety into Confidence

T Herbert J.

One of my earliest memories is boohoo crying in 2nd grade because I couldn't add fractions with different denominators. It was formative. For the next few years, every new concept didn't feel like an opportunity to learn — it felt like an opportunity to fail. I maintained A's, but success always felt lucky. That anxiety stayed with me until a teacher convinced me to trust myself. Shortly after, I was a regional mathlete with city and statewide first-place finishes.
I went on to study Philosophy and Economics at Washington University in St. Louis, where I discovered a passion for tutoring through study groups with friends. That passion led me into the classroom at a school built around personalized learning. Over six years, I taught math from 5th grade through precalculus, developing a talent for breaking complex concepts into approachable steps — and building the kind of confidence that turns math-resistant students into math-fluent ones.

As a private tutor, I've supported over 25 students across Missouri, New Jersey, and Florida, meeting each state's standards and tailoring my approach accordingly. Nineteen of those students have worked with me consistently for over two years. I stay invested beyond our sessions too — checking in on progress, answering one-off questions, and remaining a resource long after the clock runs out.

My philosophy, backed by data and experience, comes down to two things: first, being okay with being wrong — fear of failure shifts focus from learning to performing, which is counterproductive. Second, genuinely believing that success is within reach with practice. Every student who decides they're "not a math person" has already convinced themselves the second part isn't true. That's a self-fulfilling prophecy — and it doesn't have to be."