Private Math Tutoring • Grades 7-12
Algebra • Geometry • Trigonometry • Precalculus • Calculus
This collection of hundreds of parent and student testimonials along with prominent named endorsements is a tribute to all my tutoring students over the decades. It’s about the intellectual journeys we have taken together, your love for learning, your hard work and perseverance, and your achievement of educational excellence. Congratulations to every one of you; approbation with distinction and well done!
Dr. George
Harvard Ph.D.
MIT B.S.
Perdocere Inc.
phone: 833-MATH-833
Prominent Endorsements
✏️ From:
Marlyn E. McGrath
Director of Admissions
Harvard University
“I think George is not merely a tutor – he is a real educator. He knows that what helps students perform well on tests is the same as what makes them good students. A solid academic foundation pays dividends throughout schooling and careers, and George never loses sight of that in his work.”
✏️ From:
Prof. William A. Goddard III
California Institute of Technology
(Caltech)
“I have known George for decades. He has a very clear and dramatic effect enabling students to think and rise to their full potential. George’s influence on so many lives has had significant impact, and I greatly admire him for doing this.”
Parent and Student Testimonials
✏️ “When George takes on a student, for him it is not just a job, for him it is a commitment which he honors spectacularly. A commitment to help you do well in school and also a commitment to actually learn the subject matter.”
✏️ “George is a godsend. He breaks math down in a language students understand while making the process enjoyable. By laying out the mechanics of math, he lays down a foundation for comprehension the student carries forward throughout their academic career. He also gets results. My son quickly grasped the concepts and went from a C+/B- student to an A student. He also moved up two class levels in his math placement. His improvement correlated directly with his confidence, which soared. He now thinks of himself as the math guy. The greatest compliment is that I recently asked him what he wants to be when he grows up and he said a math teacher.”
✏️ “George has not just taught me, but he re-wired my brain in a way that allows me to comprehend subjects I haven’t gone over with him. He has given me the tools to understand any math or science problem out there.”
✏️ “Math had never been my strong suit, but in only a short time tutoring with George, my math SAT score increased by more math 100 points. More importantly, I find myself realizing that math can, indeed, be fun and interesting. George’s teaching style is engaging and his enthusiasm for even the most mundane math is contagious, spurring me to apply myself to my studies. George delineates even the most impenetrable concepts with patience and clarity. I greatly appreciate the deeper understanding of math that George has imparted to me, and I look forward to the future!” (780 SAT Math)
✏️ “George has helped me tremendously. I get a solid A in math since George has started tutoring me. I also am doing much better on my SAT’s. Before George I couldn’t even get passed the first question. George is a great tutor.”
✏️ “George is a great tutor. His math knowledge and his ability to teach it in such a way that my son understood it was amazing. My son improved his Math SAT score by almost 100 points. I highly recommend George both as a tutor and as a person. He made a huge impression on my son. Thank you so much.”
✏️ “George is a natural; he not only tutors but teaches the student how to study and how to approach each subject. Math becomes an enjoyable experience. His teaching habits take over and the student shows a remarkable improvement in his all around school work. His method of cultivating a close relation with the student and his involvement in their overall school work is producing great results. I only wish we had someone like George when I went to school.”
✏️ “George is a wonderful example of a professional instructor for mathematics and science. The quality of instruction administered in a calm, patient, and open manner reflects his true concern for the student. The dialog that exists between teacher and student is superb, as the knowledge that is sought and shared establishes itself. We are glad that academia has produced such a top notch instructor for our son.”
✏️ “I have been extremely happy with George tutoring my son for honors Geometry in his first year of high school. My son had a difficult transition to the rigor and demands of high school for which he was not prepared coming from a quite weak math background from middle school. George became his tutor in the most complete sense of tutoring, meaning that he did not only teach my son all the concepts in a way he could understand and without memorization but also gave him a method to study and trained him to think and solve problems. This allowed my son to regain his confidence and to learn how to study not just math but other subjects as well. George’s dedication, for all aspects that could benefit my son impressed me from the beginning. He knew from the start how to engage him, how to make him confront difficulty in a rational way, something that requires besides a deep understanding of the technical concepts a strong educational knowledge and experience. I will recommend George without hesitation to anyone that wants to truly understand math and succeed in academics.”
✏️ “George has been working with our son for more than a year now. We can’t say enough for George’s abilities to teach – whether it be physics, mathematics or SAT prep, George ensures that our son has a comprehensive understanding of the materials. He challenges him to think through problems and apply concepts. George also has a way of making learning and academic achievement something that our son is proud of. He has instilled in him a level of confidence in his academic abilities that would not have existed absent George. Anyone wanting a truly dedicated teacher and genuinely nice guy to work with their son or daughter should always look to George first.”
✏️ “George has an amazing amount of patience and challenges me at every turn. The truth is in the results! I am a more confident learner and that carries over to my other courses, as well. I got an A in my Honors Algebra class and look forward to working with George as I prepare for the PSAT/SAT/ACT tests.”
✏️ “George has been an amazing tutor who has helped me accomplish my goals in both school and the SATs. He has the unique ability to teach one concept in many ways, which is rare to find among teachers. Overall, it has been a very positive experience.”
✏️ “George is a great SAT Math tutor. His thorough knowledge of every part of the test definitely helped me to understand how to take the test in a better and more efficient manner. We tackled each problem as it came and not only solved it but broke down each component of the question so that we could easily tackle a harder version of the same problem down the road. In just three sessions of preparation with George my test scores increases by sixty points and branched into the 700 range. I believe that George’s attention to every detail of the test is what sets him apart from other tutors I tried and is what allowed me to do so well.”
✏️ “George works miracles! When I first started with George, I took a practice SAT and sadly got a 550. George explained that he was going to rebuild my math knowledge and rewire how I looked at math problems. Over the course of the summer and fall, George continued to work with me and with his careful instruction, guidance, and support I was able to get a 780 on the real SAT. George taught me to think differently and to approach math problems in creative ways. George pushed me to be the best student I could be, but never pushed me in a way that was counterproductive. Though I was not confident at the start, George’s never ending encouragement and faith in me allowed me to finally recognize my full potential in the SAT and in my math classes at school. I can’t thank George enough!” (780 Math SAT)
✏️ “George is the best math teacher I have ever had the pleasure of working with. Before I met George I had a 670 on my math SAT, and now I am getting 800’s consistently. I owe it all to George because he is constantly pushing me to work hard to achieve my goals. He teaches me more than I need to know so that I understand all the math on a higher level. George has always supported me and has made me a better learner.” (800 SAT math)
✏️ “George has been more than a math tutor for me. He has not only taught me everything I need to know to succeed in math class and on the SAT, he has also become a best friend during the process.”
✏️ “A word of advice: start with George early. Building the proper foundation in math is crucial to getting good grades in all years of high school as well as good SAT math scores.”
✏️ “Although I’ve only been with George for a short while, the most important thing I have discovered about him is that his teaching style is highly effective. Not only does he teach you how to do something, he teaches you why it is done that way. He is able to show you how basic concepts can be used to solve highly complex problems. Now, I am able to see the building blocks of each individual problem, and, from there, I am able to find the solution. He is totally approachable and will help you with anything. I know on countless occasions he has also given me advice that I find applicable to my physics homework. He truly does instruct his students very thoroughly, and if you are unsure of something, he will go over it as many times as you need. Because of him, I feel thoroughly prepared to take my SAT exam.” (700 SAT Math)
✏️ “George is the best tutor out there. With his thorough teaching, he has increased my Math SAT score by over 200 points in the past year. Since the eighth grade, George and I have been working to increase my math grades at school, and together we have been nothing but a great success. George is extremely talented. I think that to him, Perdocere is more than a clever Latin name for his tutoring business, it’s a philosophy. George knows everything about the system, whether it be public school, the SAT, or math in general. He didn’t acquire this knowledge through tricks and memorization. He learned it through simply learning the math thoroughly. I can speak from experience. Once George and I had conquered Algebra, I had the skills to conquer problems that would have been insurmountable to me just a few months before. It’s quite simple. It all comes down to his philosophy of teaching thoroughly. George produces results.”
✏️ “With SAT’s looming, I hired George to access and fill in the gaps in my son’s math knowledge. My son scored a 550 on his first practice SAT with George, so there were plenty of areas that needed attention! George came up with a comprehensive plan to rebuild my son’s math knowledge from the ground up. George taught my son to look at math through a completely different lens, which enabled him to think creatively as opposed to mechanically when he approached math problems. This strong foundation coupled with a creative approach to problem solving resulted in a 780 on the SAT. George was professional, methodical, and thoughtful during each session, and knew how to motivate and inspire my son. Although the work was hard at times, my son was always happy and grateful to be working with such a brilliant and kind teacher. I only wish all of my son’s math teachers could be as exceptionally qualified and compassionate as George!” (780 SAT Math)
✏️ “George tutored our daughter for almost a year. He is a one of a kind teacher because he is so good as what he does. Our daughter said that George was able to teach her math concepts in such a way that she really understood the topics. Prior to George she was able to get through Algebra and Geometry courses with good grades but without understanding the material. George is very dedicated, very enthusiastic and really knows how to teach for understanding. He is also patient and positive and was good for my daughter’s confidence. She liked him very much which is always important too. I am not a fan of today ‘s highly pressured academic rat race, and I believe children are suffering mentally and physically. However, having a good tutor can really help certain students to succeed rather than just stumble through.” (U.S. exchange student, online tutoring, Viterbo, Italy)
✏️ “Thank you for all that you do for our son!”
✏️ “George has been tutoring our son for four years, and we are extremely pleased with the results. George has taught our son the way he needs to be taught to, he is positive, thorough and focused. Our son has a confidence in his abilities he could’ve only imagined before. George not only teaches, he mentors and advises, he truly cares about his students and their accomplishments. We highly recommend George, he will not disappoint!”
✏️ “The SAT Subject Test for Math Level IIC is not an easy test. One must completely understand the topics that are covered to complete the problems, and one must have precision and speed to score high on the test. With George’s help, I was able to get high scores on many of the practice tests which reflected my real score. George has taught me the best ways to approach each problem; I can now solve each question quickly while understanding the math behind each question completely. I am very thankful that I was able to meet George, for his teachings and support allowed me to success on the SAT Math Level IIC test.” (780 SAT Math Level IIC)
✏️ “George is the best math tutor imaginable.”
✏️ “George is awesome. He pushes me hard, but it is because he knows I can do it. George is so smart. He has a thorough knowledge of all the material and he makes sure that I learn it just as completely. His one-on-one sessions really give me a chance to get a better grip on what we are learning in class and to explore deeper some of the things we do not get a chance to spend a lot of time on in school. As a result, I am a very confident math student.”
✏️ “The patience, commitment and encouragement of the instructor have helped our son bring his grades up significantly; and as his marks improved, so did his spirits and his confidence.”
✏️ “George makes sure his students believe in themselves and their abilities, thus setting the stage for academic success. He also takes the time to emphasize that it isn’t inspiration that creates success, it is perspiration. It is the mantra that is followed as he prepares students for the SAT. And there is success; both of our sons have done extremely well on both the SAT and SAT Subject Tests – and by extremely well, we mean a consistent pattern of scores at or just below 800.”
✏️ “Before I met George, math was just another subject to painfully struggle through in order to achieve passable results. Once he and I began working together, it opened my mind to the possibilities that I could have with the joy of math. As my ACT math tutor, George made me realize how important a good work ethic, fun spirit, and a willingness to learn can create a love for something that I never thought I would’ve enjoyed. Now I can say that I am confident and happy in doing math not only for the sake of learning something new everyday, but also because George showed me how to take pride in something that I can do.”
✏️ “This year, I am taking the most rigorous math course my school has to offer, AP Calculus BC. BC calc is extremely fast paced because of the AP test in May. Some of the topics are only covered for a fraction of a class; however, with George’s help, I am a month or two in front of the class. Because of the two month lead, George is able to show me more advanced topics that will never be covered in BC calc. The way that George teaches calculus incorporates everything that was previously learned in calc while still covering a lot of material extremely thoroughly. In class, I have done well on all of my tests. George has allowed me to obtain an understanding of calculus which seems impossible to get from the class alone. I am very thankful that I have George guiding me through BC calc.”
✏️ “As parents, we all know how different our children are – and this certainly translates to learning styles. George has had to adapt to three very different types of learners over that last seven or eight years. He has successfully navigated one child through a string of 800s… brought another near that coveted goal, thus ensuring his place at the college of that child’s choice (thank goodness!!)… and now has the unenviable task of guiding our daughter through the shoals of high school mathematics and preparation for the SAT. All three of our children have enjoyed working with George; he has related to each one on a very personal level and he has adjusted his teaching style to match how they learn. He is always encouraging and has instilled in all of them the ability to ask questions and explore the whys and wherefores rather than just the answers. At the same time, however, George sets the bar high for each one of them and pushes them to achieve. Not only have they and will they be accountable to Mom and Dad – they are also accountable to George – and they seem to be more concerned about the latter rather than the former (which is fine with us). George has an extraordinary gift for teaching and for instilling a love of learning in his students. He is insistent that fundamentals be strong and he works those so that his students are equipped for higher tasks. On child ended up majoring in math in college and is now doing sophisticated quantitative analysis in an investment firm; another is doing a wonderful job navigating econometrics. We can only hope that our last one can achieve this success. With George on our side we think that this can be achieved. We heartily recommend George to all.”
✏️ “Working with George has been great and I really look at my classes in school in a different way. I know that I can rely on George to go that extra mile to make sure I really understand what I’m learning, and that makes school much more manageable.”
✏️ “George brought my daughter’s math grades up from C- to A’s. He works well with my daughter and is very positive.”
✏️ “George is a brilliant mathematician who has the rare ability to convey that knowledge to our teenagers. He is an effective communicator who teaches with patience, determination and perseverance. George understands that confidence is the most important ingredient for learning and empowers our children to believe in themselves.”
✏️ “George made it possible for my son to go to the best college for him. George is the best teacher and mentor my son could have. We cannot thank him enough. I cannot wait to see my other children grow as learners with knowledge and strategies taught by George.”
✏️ “George has been working with my son for the school year and his Math grade has moved up by a full grade. More importantly, he now has a solid understanding of Algebra as he moves on to High School. My son’s confidence level has soared too. George knows what is important and he makes the experience fun as well.”
✏️ “In preparing for the SAT, George helped me dissect each problem into its basic parts. There is no better preparation for the Math SAT than with George.”
✏️ “The SAT Subject Test for Math Level 2C is not like the normal SAT math section. The normal SAT math section has easy math that really just tests one’s problem solving skills. On the Math Level 2C test, both one’s math skills and problem solving skills are tested with more rigor. George taught me how to link all the topics I needed for the test and more to allow me to see many different methods of solving each problem. On top of that, he taught me how to pick the most efficient and accurate method so I would have plenty of time to spare to check my answers of at the end of the test. Because he taught me how to connect so many topics, sometimes solving one problem a certain way would reveal the solution for another problem on the practice tests. On the practice tests I was able to score very high with ample time left, and on the actual test I scored a 780.”
✏️ “In preparation for high school, I asked George to find and patch the holes that we knew existed in my daughter’s math knowledge. Although my daughter has been an A student in math, it was apparent to me that she was getting by without really understanding the logic and meaning behind what she was doing in math. Because of this mechanics, memorization based approach to math, she found the subject to be her least favorite. George promised that he would find the holes in her knowledge and would then equip her with a deeper, more functional way of attacking math problems. In only a few sessions, the change in my daughter was evident. Her test grades improved, but most importantly, so did her confidence and creativity in finding solutions to math problems. My daughter happily sits through her sessions with George and is 100% engaged and happy. George is brilliant, thoughtful and kind and really understands how to work with kids. I feel that George is fully invested in my daughter’s success. I wish that all teachers were as wonderful and George!”
✏️ “George has tutored my daughter in Pre-Calculus and Math SAT prep for the past year. George has very impressive credentials, but even more impressive is the math rapport he has with my daughter. Clearly, George understands math at a depth and breadth that few of us do. But his ability to teach it and be a successful tutor is really what impresses me the most. He is a natural teacher. He can see when a student isn’t “getting it” and he can explain a concept in a variety of different ways instead of merely repeating the same explanation again and again. And finally, George truly seems to love his job. He appears to be genuinely happy when my daughter accomplishes her goals or nails down a difficult concept. My daughter feels her time with George is always productive as he’s always prepared for their session.”
✏️ “Dear George. You saved the day. Or rather, the semester. The few sessions you spent with our son made a world of difference – not only to his grade but to his state of mind. You showed him not only that he could grasp the concepts of his math class, but that he could enjoy the process. Thank you, thank you, thank you. We are forever grateful.”
✏️ “When I first met George, he gave me a diagnostic practice SAT math, and I scored a 530 on the SAT. Now, I can hit 800’s with time to spare. George has taught me new math topics, but he has mainly taught me how to think. He has shown me that each math problem can relate to the other, so you can solve each problems in a myriad of ways. We have sat down together and searched for new ways to solve the most difficult problems. It is almost like George unlocked something in my brain that now allows me to see all of the different solutions to each problem. Once I see all the possibilities, I can choose the most efficient and safe solution which now allows me to score 800’s.”
✏️ “Over the past three years, George has become the family’s de facto math and science consiliari. He has not only guided our first son to a string of 800’s but instilled in him a sense of academic confidence and curiosity that will serve him well in college. He also started down the academic path with our second son this year – a very different learner than the first – yet he has struck the appropriate chords with him. George is a born teacher. He is enthusiastic about his subjects, explains and teaches in a clear and logical manner, and patiently drives the learning process. We can always count on George and will continue to rely on him in the future.”
✏️ “George is an amazing teacher. He is the best tutor a parent can hire to help their child succeed in both mathematics and science. George is true to his thorough teaching; he goes beyond the knowledge taught at school to explain concepts. Having George as a tutor has been invaluable to me throughout high school. Whether you seek to improve grades in school, or simply to study advanced topics, no one can do a better job at helping you than George. George taught me basic calculus the summer before my AP Physics B course, which allowed me to view physics in a whole different perspective than the rest of my classmates, and has led me to decide to major in Biophysics next fall. And as I sit in my AP Calculus class this year, I can only smile and think, ‘George has taught me well.’ ”
✏️ “George, over the past few months, we have been amazed at the progress you have made with our daughter. While the improvement in her ‘trial run’ SAT scores has been significant, of equal note has been the change in the way she now approaches math problems: she thinks differently! Your ability to explain the processes behind the formulae, and the way that you teach to each student’s strengths, is a thing of beauty… For a 17 year old to stay focused on math over and entire summer is a testament to your ability to engage someone’s imagination and intellect. I am grateful for all of the encouragement and focus you have provided. And, while I look forward to much improved success in our daughter’s upcoming SAT scores as a direct outcome of your work, I also appreciate the confidence you have helped her build over the summer. She is clearly far more prepared for the tests ahead than she was in early June. My only regret? We didn’t do this sooner.”
✏️ “I am very impressed and happy with George as a tutor for my daughter. With his extensive knowledge, he can instruct her in both math and science, both for the classroom and SAT prep. I think he is very patient as he works with the student and is able to quickly discover how best to work with them.”
✏️ “George is a super tutor that has made a significant impact on our daughter’s learning. Her progress has been beyond belief. He has worked diligently and patiently with her to fill in the gaps in her learning. She no longer memorizes formulas without knowing the why’s and how’s of problem solving. She is well grounded in the fundamentals and has gained the confidence to take on additional academic challenges. George’s math knowledge isn’t his only recipe for success, he also knows how and when to motivate a student.”
✏️ “Math has never been my forte – even though George tells me I’m good at it every time I meet with him. Which in a way is true – because when George is teaching me I am good at math. Instead of only showing me how something works, he’ll explain why it works, which is exactly the teaching style I need. The difference in style, and therefore effectiveness, between George and my teachers at school is so vast that there’s a distinct possibility I would be failing math without him.”
✏️ “George has helped me ace my honors precalculus class and, by doing so, he has rekindled my appreciation for math as well as my confidence.”
✏️ “George’s capabilities extend well through college topics. After taking BC calculus my senior year of high school, I took a semester off before taking Calculus III in the spring term. What began as a speed review of single-variable calculus expanded to encompass numerous topics neglected in the high school curriculum, as well as proper explanations and proofs of many other topics. George’s first goal is to establish a solid mathematical foundation; or in a case like mine, backfill the incomplete foundation. From there, working into sciences or high level math becomes far easier.” (800 SAT Math)