In elementary and middle school I was a student who struggled in most subjects - but above all I had a very difficult time with MATH. The math facts never seemed to stick in my mind even after extensive practice. I vividly remember the timed math tests that made my palms sweat as I tried my very hardest and still bombed. Homework took ages to complete and I often had the thought that I just wasn’t a “math person”. I remember the lessons not clicking and the feeling of confusion when it was time for me to complete the math on my own. I eventually began to like, and even love, other subjects, but math continued to be my stumbling block through high school and my undergraduate degree. 

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I went to college to become an educator with the hope of helping students like me who struggled with school. I had slowly learned how to study and intake information in different ways that worked for my own brain. Throughout this time I didn’t pay much mind to math besides the mandatory classes I had to take. Even in these mandatory classes I struggled to grasp math concepts. I decided I wanted to be a kindergarten or middle school English teacher hoping to cater to my strengths.

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Fast forward to graduating with my elementary education degree. I was married to an active duty military member, and during the first few years, I was unable to stay in one place long enough to get a classroom teaching position. I still had a passion and drive to help students, so in 2015 I started tutoring. I quickly saw the unmet need for personalized learning. I began tailoring sessions to each student's needs and learning style, and they saw academic improvements and an increase in confidence.

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During my mid-twenties working as a tutor I began to see math in a new light. I was able to re-teach myself some basic math concepts that I didn’t fully understand the “why” behind growing up (fractions, decimals, etc.). I also dabbled in the “new” math education practices to teach my students and myself how to do mental math, solve problems, and work with numbers flexibly. I began to realize that I was capable of doing and understanding mathematics. This revelation alongside the best practices I was learning helped me start to teach myself and my students how to love math and think of themselves as mathematicians. 

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In 2018 I started a graduate degree program at Boise State University for Curriculum and Instruction with a graduate certificate in Mathematical Teaching for Instruction. In my graduate work I got to dive deep into the core math concepts and how to teach them in conceptually meaningful ways to help students gain understanding and mastery. I also became more confident in myself as a math educator and learner. During this time I honed my craft as an online math tutor and began to specialize in teaching students mathematics.

I now find myself doing my dream job of helping students in elementary and middle school find the math confidence I never had. I work hard to keep up with the current research and best practices along with the most fun and engaging ways to help students see math in action. I believe every student deserves to learn the “why” behind all math concepts from a teacher who believes in them. I feel so lucky to be that person for my students.

 

- Zoie Hoffman