Clendenin Tutoring • Hundreds of Testimonials and Prominent Named Verifications

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.”

Perdocere Tutoring - Prominent Named Verifications

✏️ 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.”

Perdocere Tutoring - Hundreds of Parent and Student Testimonials

Parent and Student Testimonials

✏️ “Frustrated by the lack of tangible Math achievement in my children, who are good students, through their middle and early high school years and with one facing the SATs in the spring I needed to act fast… I decided to tutor them. After trying a few tutors where the fit was never quite right I stumbled on to Perdocere and from day one my problem was solved! George understood completely what I wanted: to improve their math school work, prepare for their SATs, but also to make sure that they knew MATH. I asked George to make sure that all his math tutoring would stick; I didn’t want them to ‘just learn it for the test’. His success is tangible. They have great grades and success with the SAT. One of them said to me ‘Mom I learned more in four hours with George than I did all year in my math class!’ ”

✏️ “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.”

✏️ “My son is a freshman in honors geometry – a really tough course!! George has been instrumental in explaining the concepts, teaching him how to solve the theorems and encouraging him throughout the year. Without this assistance – this year would have been much tougher. The insight into my son’s learning style and his clear and thorough explanations of each concept have given my son the confidence to tackle this vigorous course. He looks forward to meeting with George and doing his math.”

✏️ “I can always rely on George to help me understand a particularly challenging concept in math.”

✏️ “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.”

✏️ “Anyone who says that the SAT Mathematics section cannot be taught has not met George. After scoring a low 600 on my first practice exam, George stepped me through the process of learning how to take the test as well as the mathematical concepts behind it. After several months of training, George helped me to receive a perfect 800 on the Math section. And if that wasn’t enough, he also guided me through the SAT Mathematics IIC Subject Test, which, with his aid, I scored another perfect 800. Thanks to George, I was able to conquer the SAT’s.”

✏️ “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.”

✏️ “Who would have thought that my son would become a curve breaker! Through the years George has instilled a great store of fundamental mathematical knowledge. On this foundation our son was able to grab Calculus by the horns and completely master it.”

✏️ “For the last two years, George has done everything he could to help me in both Algebra 2 and Honors Precalculus. My grades improved significantly in a very short period of time, and were maintained throughout the school year thanks to him. He knows the material very well, he is extremely good at explaining it in simple terms, and above all, he is a very easy person to get along with. I highly recommend George as a tutor, not only for the effort and attention he put into preparing each of my lessons, but also because I know he invests that same effort and attention in every lesson he gives.”

✏️ “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.”

✏️ “Our middle school son started to have difficulties in mathematics. After working with him, George was able to assess and pinpoint his areas of difficulty. In addition, George had the patience and teaching strategies that worked with our son. Now he enjoys the challenge of math and feels so much better about his abilities. His grades have gone from a C+ to a B+, and now A’s.”

✏️ “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.”

✏️ “This year our son attended the Perdocere Math SAT Prep Course. George’s clear, well-presented explanations and thorough review of the SAT Math was very helpful. We finally found someone with a high-level math knowledge base and also with the unique and most important quality – the skill of teaching in a manner that is understandable. George has helped our son gain knowledge, skill and confidence.”

✏️ “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 reinvigorated my son’s interest in math and confidence in his abilities. Each week, George would carefully focus on classroom assignments, while bolstering broader areas of study. Lessons were purposeful, positive experiences, which immediately translated into improved test scores and a more meaningful understanding of concepts. My son was able to introduce advanced strategies in the classroom, and his teachers consistently remarked that his contributions greatly enhanced their class discussions. George has a warm personality and a true gift for teaching material in a compelling, yet fun, manner. My son truly enjoyed the experience of working with George, and has emerged as a far stronger student for it.”

✏️ “I’ve been working with George for close to three years now and he is unlike any other tutor I’ve had previously. With comprehension comes good grades and self satisfaction I can’t get through just memorization. George’s plethora of knowledge has helped me through numerous courses and standardized tests. Whether it be science, math, and even the SATs, George has been there to help me.”

✏️ “I missed a year and a half of school and George has been very helpful in getting me caught up in math.”

✏️ “Before I began working with George, I was getting good grades in math but much of the time I didn’t really understand what I was doing or why I was doing it. After my first session with George, I could tell he was a different kind of teacher. He really explained the concepts instead of just teaching me steps that I had to memorize. George always makes sure that I completely understand what I am working on before we move on to a new concept. I look forward to my sessions with George. George makes the sessions fun, interesting, and challenges me to think in ways that I haven’t been taught in school. George also happens to be funny and kind and I feel he really cares about me as a student.” (96% Final Math Assessment)

✏️ “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.”

✏️ “Thanks again for everything you have done for the boys – you really have a gift!!”

✏️ “George has a superior understanding of higher mathematics and science which combined with his ability to communicate abstract subject matter to the kids is like no other teacher we have known. As for results, George has guided our son from mediocre to excelling. His high MCAS scores are a measure of his dramatic improvement. His SAT practice scores steadily climbed to impressive levels, and he gained 240 points on the SAT math. George mentors and provides guidance with understanding to his students. Our son has developed a strong sense of purpose to do well which we attribute in part, to his mentoring. We’ve had George tutor both our sons. George is the best gift you can ever give to your son or daughter.”

✏️ “George has been more than just a tutor. He is a friend and a mentor for both our children. Perfect SAT and ACT scores were just the beginning. George is still with them in college. His methods and teaching skills are more than what we imagined. The sooner a child starts with George the better his foundations are made solid, and the confidence the student acquires with his help goes beyond math to encompass all the curriculum.” (800 SAT, 36 ACT)

✏️ “What would our schools be like is we could witness George’s way of teaching there? Quality, it works!”

✏️ “We thought our daughter’s ADHD was a liability in learning math. George recognized her different learning style and speed and has worked it to her advantage. He truly understands the principles in learning how to learn. We have had many tutors for many subjects, but the confidence she has gained from George in math has generalized to all her other subjects.”

✏️ “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.”

✏️ “I have been working with George for about six months and I have never seen myself improve this drastically. I achieved a 5 on my AP exam and a 770 on my SAT Math. I truly owe it all to George.”

✏️ “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.”

✏️ “We are absolutely thrilled with what George has done with our son. He has instilled a sense of confidence, made him realize that he can excel academically and allowed him to set his sights on things that he never thought he could achieve. George is incredibly knowledgeable, extremely approachable and a fantastic teacher. He has gone out of his way to make sure that our son is always prepared for his next challenge. George will be part of our family’s academic life for years to come!!”

✏️ “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.”

✏️ “George has been an excellent tutor and mentor to me. When I started with him I was failing my geometry class. Within only a couple months he helped my grade go up by three grade letters. Thanks to him I will be finishing the years with a solid grade. Not only has he helped me academically but he has also made me more confident in my classes and work. At my hardest struggle, George took his time to spend many extra hours with me. He teachers like no other teacher and is able to make strong connections with his students while teaching the best techniques and strategies to solving problems.”

✏️ “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 very involved in making sure our son is studying the material he needs to succeed and getting a clear understanding of what is expected of him. George takes time each week to prepare for our son as an individual. Our son enjoys the way George teaches him; it’s a great mix of teaching and really caring about the student. We know George was the right choice, our son went from failing to passing with an A.”

✏️ “I met George in February of my junior year. Earlier in my junior year and sophomore spring, I had been bounced between countless math tutors who seemed uninterested in actually changing the way I learn and comprehend math on different levels, which is a necessary transition from my school math course work to solving problems on the ACT. A few had deemed me incapable of ever truly raising my math IQ and relied heavily on strategy to get me through standardized testing problems. Yet with George, everything changed. He studied the way I learned and took tests, and synthesized the information I gleaned from each of our sessions. He then broke down my entire bank of knowledge in the realm of mathematics and we started from the bottom, building our way up. As each new brick was laid in the foundation, my confidence grew and my ability to take control of the ACT in a way that worked for me was apparent. I no longer fear ACT test day, new units in Pre-calculus or a problem that seems overwhelmingly difficult based on its exterior. George became my math savior and I can not thank him enough.”

✏️ “Believe it. It’s true. Before George started tutoring our daughter, I read every single one of the testimonials on this website. It was clear the students and families were overwhelmingly pleased, but could he teach our child? It took mere minutes before I heard our daughter say, "Oh I get it! That’s easy" At that very moment, two things happened. I quietly breathed a sigh of relief because I knew we had found the perfect tutor, and our daughter began to believe in herself. The big question in our house a few months ago was “What are we going to do about math?” Now we’re looking far ahead and wondering to ourselves, “What will she do with math?” ”

✏️ “I don’t know how we came this far without George. There has been a tremendous improvement in our son’s work. He has the A’s to prove it. George is truly a gem.”

✏️ “George hands down takes the prize for the best overall math tutor. He brought my math SAT score up 220 points while maintaining my honor role status. George is an authentic man who truly cares about his students.”

✏️ “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.”

✏️ “This is exactly what we have discovered in George – To Teach or Instruct Thoroughly. George not only has read our son’s Advanced Algebra book, he has wrapped himself around it. He teaches with enthusiasm and a deep concern for our son. He genuinely cares that our son not only understands the many different concepts but also makes sure that our son is able to effectively apply them. Our son has 125 new problems every week and George makes sure our son fully understands each and every one. Our son’s grade has improved from a B- to an A- and we expect this trend to continue along with his growing mathematical confidence. Our son smiles broadly at the end of every session. George is the MVP of the academic playing field! Thank you George.”

✏️ “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 is the best tutor that our family has ever used. No one else is even close. He quickly identified my son’s strengths and weaknesses, and then set about in an orderly, sensible and strategic way to fix the weaknesses. There was a purpose to every problem set or test that he assigned. George customized his approach to the individual child which in turn created ‘buy-in’ from my son, who realized that he was not going to be assigned busy work, but focused problems designed to address areas that needed work. Bottom line my son got a 55 on the PSAT math and 8 months later, with George’s help, got a 770 on the SAT math.”

✏️ “I wish we had found George sooner! He has done a wonderful job of not only teaching the current year’s math, but also of going back and filling in the missing pieces of our son’s mathematical foundation. He has helped him in the sciences, and as we move into SATs, I expect to see his positive influence there as well. Our son in a more confident student because of George. However, I think George’s greatest strength may be sensing what learning style fits our son and being able to adapt on a given day to what he needs, both emotionally and scholastically.”

✏️ “I’m in honors math. However, I couldn’t handle Algebra-II as well as Honors Geometry. So my grade began to slip so my parents called George. It was the best decision. George knows everything about math and he was able to guide me through the daunting path of Algebra-II and Trigonometry. He made everything less intimidating, and within no time, my grade was back up. George is definitely going to be my tutor next year.”

✏️ “George is the best teacher I ever had.” (780 Math Level IIC, A in Level 1 Precalculus)

✏️ “George has been tutoring our son for over two years now, we are very pleased with the results. Our son has a real appreciation for the method in which George teaches, and is confident in his own abilities now to understand and comprehend challenging concepts. With George the lesson is always positive, focused and thoroughly understood. Besides being such a wonderful tutor, mentor, and motivator, George has encouraged our son to excel in other pursuits as well, always looking toward the future. We highly recommend George!”

✏️ “My son is a typical middle school boy – more interested in sports than school. George has been able to motivate him to want to learn and excel in math. His teaching approach has been tailored to my son’s learning style with good results. His enjoyment, understanding, and confidence in math has increased significantly. To realize that my son’s math foundation is solidifying for the high school years is a comfort.”

✏️ “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.”

✏️ “George is a very sound investment for parents seeking to help a struggling student. George genuinely cares about the teaching aspect of education and his concerns are focused on ensuring the student understands each concept thoroughly. He recognizes that while grades are the formal measurement of results, just as important is the student’s confidence level and comfort with the subject matter. As a consequence, our daughter’s grade rose from a C- to an A- in two months, but equally satisfying is seeing her growing confidence in herself and her abilities.”

✏️ “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)

✏️ “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.”

✏️ “I am very happy to recommend your services to any family that wishes to prepare their children above and beyond what is found in the secondary schools curriculum. Our son who had a declining grade eight in middle school transitioned to Walpole High School and achieved honor roll status his freshman year. His continued Math and Science success is continuing now into his sophomore year and none of this would have been possible without your help. I can’t thank you enough for not only your Math and Study Skills help but more importantly your teaching the importance of life skills to our son. It has been said that ‘If you give a man a fish you give him a meal, however if you teach a man to fish you feed him for life’.”

Click Here for the Complete List of Hundreds of Parent and Student Testimonials. What’s Shown Above is a Small Sampling.