Math Tutors for Middle Schoolers

5 parent questions ▼
Archived Q&A and reviews ▼

Parent Q&A

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  • Tutor for neurodivergent teen

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    Mar 26, 2023

    Hi all,

    I am searching for a tutor for my 8th grader who has real difficulty with making sense of math,  study strategies, and planning/organizational difficulties. I would love to find someone who specializes in tutoring kids with ADHD.  

    Mar 26, 2023

    Try Classroom Matters in Berkeley! They have tutoring and a great class for teens and families on executive functioning!

    Mar 31, 2023

  • Math Tutor for Rising 6th Grader in Albany

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    Jun 14, 2022

    We are looking for someone to tutor our rising 6th grader in math and Mandarin - could be the same person or two different tutors, so please recommend anyone who fits either category!

    Our first priority is math, where our daughter has gotten behind the past couple years and is now suffering a severe lack of self-confidence. She's gone from saying math was her favorite subject (3rd grade) to saying she hates it. It's very sad and we are hoping that working with the right person can improve her confidence and help her to enjoy math again. 

    We are also looking to supplement her experience with Mandarin, which she studies in school. 

    Schedule to be discussed, but late afternoon / evening and weekends at our home in Albany will be best, probably 2-3 times a week. Would also love to hear feedback on what hourly rate is appropriate for tutors these days. 

    Thanks so much for any recommendations! 

    Jun 14, 2022

    Have you checked out Mathnasium? My daughter is going to 5th grade and was in Mathnasium from February to early June. She went from I hate math to neutral about math. They teach kids some “tricks” to make math easier. My suggestion, if you feel that your kid is behind, to enroll them is the summer, so by the time they start 6th grade, they will be in much better place. Also, Mathnasium always asses the kid math knowledge first and create a plan accordingly. 

    Jun 15, 2022

    I did some Zoom tutoring for 5th graders as an OUSD volunteer, and what I noticed is that very few of the children know their times tables.  Sure, you can always look them up on a paper, or use a calculator, but the problem is when you have to do multi-step problems (like adding fractions with different denominators), that slows you down and you lose track of what you were trying to do.  I always say understanding is more important than memorization, but in this case I think memorization of the "addition, subtraction, and multiplication facts" is essential.  And one way to memorize things like this is to make your own flash cards.  Your student can help make them, and then  you practice with them 15 minutes a day, I think you will see progress.  You can do that on your own, so s/he will make better use of the time with the tutor.

    Jul 23, 2022

  • 12 year old needing Conceptual Math Program

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    Mar 11, 2022

    My 12 year-old child is struggling to enjoy math. She took Kumon for 3 years (we ended it a few months ago) and it taught her how to memorize but not really understand concepts. We looked at RSM and Berkeley Math Circle and they are more for children who are doing well in math and want a challenge. What classes are out there that can teach conceptual learning and to enjoy math? Thanks. 

    Mar 11, 2022

    If you are able to hire a tutor, we found Leba Morimoto very helpful for our son.  This was a couple of years ago, but her 1:1 work with him was quite successful. She has a gentle manner and really loves math, which is contagious.  510.528.8224.

    Mar 16, 2022

    We homeschooled, and so I was linked into a lot of people who teach outside the regular zones. I know a mom who is a math person, who specializes in teaching the kind of math you are looking for: skills for problem solving. I don't know if this is what you're looking for, but I'm passing this along just in case. Whether or not you engage her personally, this is what she said to me when I sent her an email after seeing your post:

    Well, you are asking a homeschooler here, so my advice won't be for classes.  One thing she can do is work through old MOEMS problems in this book [MOEMS Contest problems Volume 3].  This will keep her skills fresh and use what she's learned in novel situations.    And it's just the right level for a student how has not yet started prealgebra and algebra.  If she is studying algebra, she might want to do some more challenging problems.  She can also do the AoPS Beast Academy books and Beast Academy online.  But it is cartoon/comic based, and I'm not sure if a 12 year old will think it's too young for her.  I used Singapore Math + MOEMS for an elementary math curriculum with my kids and it was a solid preparation.  

    Here is info on my friend:

    Vida John specializes in math curriculum published by Art of Problem Solving at all levels from Beast Academy through calculus.   She prepares students for math contests, including MOEMS, Math Kangaroo, MathCounts and AMC.  

    Vida has coached homeschooled math teams for over 10 years, and now has both daughters attending Stanford.  She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area and runs workshops on using math contests to build problem solving skills and prepare for college level work.  

    Website:  https://www.vidajohntutoring.com/

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vidajohn/

    Mar 16, 2022

    I would highly recommend Tilden Preparatory School for middle school math support and classes. My son, now a freshman, started Tilden Prep at the start of Middle School. Due to learning differences that impacted math the most, he experienced extreme anxiety about math and math classes in general. His former school had him in resource classes for math. Tilden’s learning specialist and teachers understood my son from the start and used multiple modalities of instruction to support his distinct learning style and make math understandable and even enjoyable. He’s now doing sophomore math as a freshman! I would recommend having a conversation with Dr. Hawley (Director of Special Education and enrollment) to see if Tilden would be a good fit. They offer a range of options. 

    Mar 17, 2022

  • Math Help for 7th Grader

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    Mar 4, 2019

    Hi - We're just realizing (albeit late) that our 7th grader is falling behind in math and we'd like to strengthen his foundations before he goes to HS in a year and a half. He has a week math foundation, but for the most can study for a particular "unit" test at school and do okay. He said he often doesn't see what strategies to employ to solve a problem, so he does really poorly on tests that are not based on a particular math topic. Do you have a recommendation for a private math tutor or do you work with a tutoring center (with recommendations for a particular tutor) that you think has been effective for your child? Thanks!

    Mar 4, 2019

    We have used Bay Area Tutoring Center on Rose Street in Berkeley across from CVS. They have excellent tutors! Email is the best way to contact them. Google and contact via website. Good luck and it’s never too late! 

    Mar 11, 2019

    Charlie Stephen tutors my 7th grade son at our home and he is fantastic! My son respects the heck out of him, gets a lot out of each session and has improved academically. Charlie is a great math tutor but can tutor all subjects including Spanish! His email is charlie-stephen [at] comcast.net. We are in Oakland--not sure if he travels outside of Oakland.

    Mar 11, 2019

    My junior in high school sees Betty Cui at Classroom Matters. She also had a weak foundation in math. All of the tutors there have been wonderful. Betty is very good at getting my child to look at the whole picture so she can figure out new things. We have been pleased with her weekly updates and her ability to identify where my child needs help.

    Mar 11, 2019

    Hi, I feel your pain about middle school math. My daughter, now 16, had a 6th grade math teacher who told me, in front of my daughter, that “some kids can’t do math and never will and she is one of them.” I was gobsmacked. We had been using a private tutor for two years at that point. She did not have an IEP or 504 and school testing showed that she had no cognitive issues they could find, but that her anxiety was too severe for her to perform. They offered her no help.

    I ended up pulling my daughter out of public school entirely at the end of 7th grade and enrolling her at Tilden Prep. The teaching there is one-on-one and mastery based, so they do not move onto a new unit until they have successfully (above 80%) completed the current unit. For math, this proved invaluable. They were able to fill in the holes where she had completely missed concepts necessary to advance. And now, as a sophomore, she is successfully completing geometry with confidence and she says math is one of her favorite subjects. Not sure if private education is the direction for your child, but just wanted to share my experience. 

    Good luck!

    Mar 14, 2019

    I highly recommend that you study the work that Stanford researcher Jo Boaler has done.  It's all about how kids learn math - here is her website https://www.youcubed.org and her book to read is "Mathematical Mindsets".

    Mar 18, 2019

  • Math and English tutor for 6th grader

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    Oct 28, 2016

    Looking for a great Math and English tutor for my 6th grader. 6th grade math and reading and writing in english.

    Please let me know if you have any recommendations!

    Thank you!

    Natalie

    Oct 28, 2016

    My daughter worked with Laura Palin in 7th grade. Laura is an experienced math teacher, having taught 7th and 8th grade math for 18 years. We chose her because she is passionate about teaching math, having both an undergraduate degree in math as well as a masters degree in teaching. She has helped my daughter regain confidence in her math skills and has focused on addressing the emotional aspects of learning that have impacted my daughter. Namely, Laura listens deeply and pays special attention to what my daughter already knew and worked to build up her skills in the areas where she wasn't making connections on her own. Laura was able to diagnose her strengths and struggles and helped her with topics such as sequencing, long term memory, working memory and higher order thinking. (I'm an educator too.) In addition to improving math, together, most importantly, Laura worked my daughter to develop a set of strategies that helped improve her understanding of how she approached her mathematical thinking and how her brain works, and paved the way for higher success. My daughter feels that Laura “gets her” in a way that other teachers and tutors have not. Laura's email is lspalin [at] yahoo.com (lspalin[at]yahoo[dot]com). Good luck!

    Nov 11, 2016

Archived Q&A and Reviews

Questions

Middle school math tutor

Nov 2013

Dear BPN friends, I need a recommendation for middle school math tutor! I am looking for a tutor who specializes in tutoring middle school math, pre- algebra through algebra. I have a 6th and 8th grader who both struggle with the subject and need a tutor who can explain and teach them in a way they understand. I'm looking for someone who is patient, creative, and has a unique way of working with each student. Looking in the Albany/El Cerrito/Richmond area. Thanks, Mom of frustrated math students

I recommend Marissa Meyers (510) 919-0843. As an educational therapist who specializes in language arts, I have referred numerous middle school math students to Marissa and been extraordinarily pleased with the feedback I have gotten from both parents and teachers regarding her skills and abilities as a math tutor. She has an approach of reaching and teaching students that is original, effective, and affirming to all students. She is adored and respected by the students that have been fortunate enough to have her as a tutor. In addition, parents have been thrilled with the progress and improvements their struggling children have made under Marissa's tutelage. Peggy

Aug 2013

I would strongly like to recommend Tralee Johnson as a math tutor. My seventh-grader worked consistently with Tralee since the mid-sixth grade and earned an A, even though in prior years she professed to absolutely hating math and not getting it. Tralee is gentle and patient in her approach and seems to make the material accessible, if not fun . . . I often hear them laughing during the tutoring sessions. We will definitely plan on continuing with Tralee in the eighth grade. Contact info: 415 508-MATH. www.TheMathematicsTutor.org
HL

8th Grade Algebra 1 Tutor Needed - Alameda

Feb 2013

My 8th grader has been limping along all year in Algebra 1. Up to this year was getting A's and now in the low B's. She needs immediate help in things like setting up equations, graphing etc. Don't want the year to finish without a solid background for math is cumulative. We live in Alameda and would like someone weekly though the school year and occasional refresher work this summer.The text book is McDougal Little within the Alameda Unified School District. Your recommendations and suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you. carol

I highly recommend Lizette Griebje of Proper Math as a math tutor. My 8th-grader was having a similar experience of struggling in Algebra 1--after working with Lizette she feels much more confident as a mathematician and she's regularly getting A's. We're really happy our daughter is working with Lizette this year (she is too!), and I can see that the benefits will pay off for many years to come. Lizette Griebje www.propermath.com 338-0103 Janet

Making Math Real Tutor

Nov 2012

I am looking for a math tutor who has been trained in the Making Math Real (David Berg) method. If you are such a tutor, or if you know of one, please either post or email me directly. Please let me know which level you are trained to (elementary school, pre-algebra, and/or algebra). Thank you!

My 11 year old son goes to a great tutor who uses the Making Math Real method. Her name is Leba Morimoto. Leba has done wonders for our son's math skills and his overall confidence in math. I would highly recommend her - she is soft spoken, encouraging, and delightful! Leba Morimoto: 510-528-8224, email: lebasline [at] gmail.com Kim

Need math tutor for middle school girl

May 2010

A friend of mine is asking about a math tutor for her daughter in middle school. She is especially interested in knowing of any female math tutors as a possible role model for her daughter. My daughter's tutor went off to college. Any suggestions? Thanks.

I highly recommend Linda Van De Wall (rivergirl2 [at] gmail.com). She tutored my daughter from 7th grade through high school and still occasionally assists my daughter in organizing papers for her community college classes. For math, Linda tutors through algebra 1 and geometry. She's worked as a resource teacher and does private tutoring from her home in north berkeley. She's flexible and makes herself available as needed for special projects in addition to regular tutoring times. Her rates are quite reasonable (though I'm not sure what they currently are). There were so many times when my daughter would start a session completely unfocused and uninterested and Linda was always able to engage her and get her moving in the right direction. Most important, Linda's interest in my daughter and her progress is genuine and not limited to her tutoring sessions. I guess the greatest testament to her is the fact that after more than 6 years of working together my daughter still calls Linda on her own whenever she needs help. jody

7th grader is struggling with math

March 2009

I have a 7th grader who is struggling with math (math concepts, math facts, math everything...). She might understand the math itself, but not what she is doing or why. I am interested in math tutoring, as well as some over-the-summer help to get her ready for 8th grade. We also have a fourth grader who could use some math intervention as well. We are located in El Cerrito. ms

I would recommend Classroom Matters for your 7th grader for Math and they also have an excellent summer writing program for teens. Both my daughters have benefited trememdously from these offerings. Classroom Matters is located on Sacramento St in Berkeley-540-8646. Karen

I would love to recommend a wonderful math tutor in the East Bay (San Ramon, Danville, Alamo), who tutors students in middle school and high school. He is a high school math teacher, so he has great credentials. My daughter had him as a tutor when she was home sick, last year, for an extended period of time. He is a very nice person, easy to understand, and very thorough. I'm sure that your student will really like him! His name is JP Singh, and he can be reached at 925-785-2635. Kirsti

Earlier Recommendations

Inspiring math tutor for middle schooler

April 2007

I am looking for an 'inspiring' math/academics tutor for my middleschooler who has a hard time keeping up with school. Please let me know if anyone had any good experience on this. thx laura

In response to the request for a great middle school tutor, we have been working with Syretta Watkins. She graduated from Cal in December 2006 with a B.A. in Applied Mathematics and she is fantastic. She has alot of experience working with all ages. I really like her approach as she has the child do the work so she can see where the problem may be. She is really reasonable, really sweet and very comforting. I really like her approach. My 8th gradeer loves working with her. You can email her: swatkins[at]berkeley.edu or phone: (408) 595-7865 Cindy M

Paul Osborne (Paul The Tutor) is a great tutor and works with lots of students from Piedmont. His office is actually on Piedmont Ave., though he does do some house calls as well. He is a great tutor. He charges $100/hr in his office and $125 to come to your house. He also has other tutors who work for him who are less expensive ($50-60/hr in the office and a bit more in your home) and whom he has trained. You can find out more or send him an email on his website www.paulthetutor.com or give him a cal at (510) 301-5302. I hope this helps, - - a Parent and a Teacher

Leba Morimoto is an outstanding math tutor - perceptive, positive, patient and a gifted teacher. She utilizes the ''Making Math Real'' technique, which is really an exceptional way of teaching math, empowering students who are struggling with retaining math facts, and giving students a deep understanding of how our number system works! Leba has over 10 years of experience as a math tutor. She may be reached at 528 8224 or lebasline[at]yahoo.com Anon

I can reccommend my father, who tutors math and science subjects. His name is JIm Scott and his phone is (510) 847-3948 or (510) 525-1759. He has worked with students from the Piedmont school district before. He lives in El Cerrito and tutors at his house. He has worked with several middle school math students recently. His rate is $40/hour for middle school students. His email is eurekajim[at]aol.com Sarah D

My daughter started tutoring when she went to Julia Morgan School for Girls. She is now a Freshman at Bishop O'Dowd; she primarily tutors middle and elementary school students. She works to help kids who are stuggling with Math to connect the dots... often times they are missing one important concept which makes going forward difficult. Some students find it helpful to work with someone else close to their own age. Call her if you are interested. Her fee is $15.00 per hour. Kate Drew (510 339-3787

Jan 03 2006

I would like to enthusiastically recommend our math tutor, Leslie Bryan.

In eighth grade our kids were getting good grades in math but clearly did not understand math concepts. By teaching our kids to UNDERSTAND math concepts instead of just memorizing them, Leslie enabled one son to test into Geometry at one of the best high schools in the Bay Area and the other (already in High School) to be able to transfer math concepts to other subjects.

Leslie assesses learning styles, holds students to their highest standard, and is very helpful in coordinating with school teachers and helping us (the parents) assess what is working at school and what is not. She teaches study skills that apply to all subjects.

Her number at the Abelian Group Math School is 510 841- 0784

Katie

June 2004

I would like to update contact information for a fantastic math tutor. Brian has tutored my children in middle school Algebra and will be continuing to do so for Algebra in BHS. He is very engaging and manages to make math really cool. Brian Tucker has an MBA and has taught for a number of years, most recently teaching college level business and mathematics. He may be reached at 510-923-1078 and briantucker94612 AT yahoo.com Thank you. Karen