I wasn't always good at math...

Joseph C.

Does your child struggle with math? Do they think they are not a "math person"? Well, that was me.

...that is, until I had a tutor who believed in me and my ability to learn.

Hi, my name is Joseph Catalfamo, and I went from the bottom of my class to graduating with my high school's American Mathematical Society Award. I now offer lessons to help spark the same change; to help kids realize their full potential (hint: it is more than what they think).

To accomplish this, I focus on three main things.

1) Motivation
2) Fundamentals
3) Consistency

Motivation:

Let's face it. Most kids don't care about learning math. But what kids love to do is to "prove themselves wrong," to do something they never thought possible. But this usually doesn't happen out of thin air. They need someone to believe in them, to help them realize that it is possible. That is where I come in.

Fundamentals:

There is nothing more important than fundamentals. Yet there is also nothing more lacking in those who struggle with math than precisely that: fundamentals. So before anything else, I review all the fundamentals to fill in any gaps. To do so otherwise would be like trying to write like Shakespeare before learning to read.

Consistency:

As much as this step might be tedious, it is necessary. That is why I offer the option to have complimentary problems sent to the student daily, in addition to up to 30 minutes of additional help throughout the week that they might need free of charge.

With these three things - motivation, fundamentals, and consistency - anyone can excel at math.