Portola 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

✏️ “I’ve been a student of George’s now for four years going on five. I tried other tutors but no one really does it quite as well as George. He does his best to help the student and to ensure their good performance. One night, before the SAT George stayed with me for roughly six hours to ensure that I got my 800 on the math portion of the SAT. Overall George is the best tutor I’ve had thus far, and if you are looking for honest results George is the way to go.”

✏️ “After the first couple of math tests at the beginning of my sophomore year of high school, I knew I needed help. After just a couple of sessions with George I immediately became a standout in the classroom, consistently on the verge of a perfect test. George rebuilt the foundation of my mathematical skills, allowing me to see the ‘big’ picture and to intertwine new ideas with old concepts. His ability to aid me in understanding the undercurrents of what my teacher was lecturing on in school allowed me to excel in the classroom. I have had George as a tutor for three years and he has inspired a sense of appreciation in the workings of Mathematics that I am now considering pursuing the subject as a major in college.”

✏️ “Math has always been an interesting topic to me; however, I never liked math class and the ways most of my teachers taught. George has been teaching me for two months so far and I feel like he has opened a whole new door of math for me. He has taught me many new topics and new ways to think. I really enjoy learning from George and I am very thankful that I was able to meet such a great teacher.”

✏️ “Our son’s entire success this year is because of Dr. George and his smart and savvy Perdocere Math Tutoring! With Dr. Georges innate knowledge of the academic world we feel confident that we are steering our son in the absolute right direction towards his passion for learning, achieving and most importantly to his happy and bright academic future! We will continue to supplement our child’s education with Perdocere Tutoring because Dr. George has given him the confidence we only dreamed he could achieve! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!”

✏️ "George’s help in my precalculus math course was outstanding. George understood that junior year is an incredibly busy year, and he wasted no time in explaining the information to me and finding the best way to convey the message. When I felt that something was too hard to understand, he would find a new way of explaining it. George always tries to make things easier to understand, but is also concerned that I perform to my best ability. George was prepared for everything that was coming in my course, and therefore I had a great advantage in the class. I’m grateful that I not only succeeded in math, but I also had a tutor that cared just as much as I did that I succeeded.”

✏️ “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.”

✏️ “George is working math-a-magic with my daughter! She so enjoys her sessions that she not only laughs with interest as she progresses, but she also giggles in surprise as she learns from her mistakes. She is advancing at a tremendous rate; and this from a child who never before knew math without tears.”

✏️ “George is a tutor extraordinaire. He is a born teacher who genuinely enjoys the kids he teaches and the work he does. He inspires his students to do their best and is able to establish a rapport with each of them. George has tutored my three teens for several years, responding to each one’s different abilities. He has helped them in all kinds of math, chemistry, physics, ACT, SAT – you name it, George can handle it! George has given each one a very positive learning experience, leading to greater self-confidence and enthusiasm for the subject matter. George encourages each child to take responsibility for his or her own learning. George has a wonderful ability to present concepts in a highly organized manner. All three of my kids report that George’s explanations are better than what they received at school and help them to really understand the concept as opposed to a mechanical application of ‘the rule’. None of the three ever grumbled about working with George. If they are having difficulty with a topic, they don’t panic because they know George will explain it and help them understand the issues. They all three see George as a friend as well as a tutor, as do I. When my two oldest are now home from college, they love to visit with George and bring him up to date on their academic progress.”

✏️ “George not only taught me math and chemistry, but taught me in a way that was practical and easy. Compared to school teachers, George actually explains things in a simple way and most importantly taught me how to think through any problem, which is by far the most valuable lesson I have learned from him.”

✏️ “Working with George has changed my life for the best. When I first started High School, I was still overcoming many challenges involving my health – which had been affecting my grades as well as what classes I had to take. Once I met George tough, I knew he was different than the countless other tutors that had come and gone through my life. George was able to get me to heights I’d never even believed I could reach. The passion that he has for mathematics and his endless dedication to his students is visibly seen every time he’s doing a lesson. Not only has George been a fantastic tutor but he has also been a great friend. He’s given me important input to major decisions I’ve had to make in my life whether it’s what college or even what classes I should take. There’s nobody I can credit more when it comes to the straight A’s in math classes I’ve taken these past four years and the 710 & 750 I received on the SAT and SAT Math IIC than him. I would have never believed back then that George would’ve had the impact that he has now on my life. Thanks for everything, George.”

✏️ “George enabled me to get an 800 on the math SAT and, for most parents, that may be all they need in a tutor. However, George isn’t just an effective tutor, he actually cares about the student. When I first started with George math was my least favorite subject, mainly because I just didn’t ‘get it.’ However, now, math is my strongest subject and I adore the class. George allowed me to not just ‘get by’ in my class, but to understand the material, and, through understanding excel. I can’t recommend George enough on both a professional and personal level.” (800 SAT Math, 36 ACT Math)

✏️ “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.”

✏️ “George’s results have been spectacular in terms of overall grasp of subjects and preparation for specific exams. He is the cause of one or more of our children getting perfect or nearly perfect scores on SAT or AP tests where, in some instances, the effort was there but, prior to George, not much interest or aptitude a specific subject. He visibly changes good students into superlative students.”

✏️ “George is a great tutor and is a great person to work with and not only has helped me learn, but also improve the quality of my work and has helped me change my style of doing math into an easier and more comprehensible method.”

✏️ “Thanks to George I not only feel more confident in math, but I also feel like I am receiving a strong education from someone who is dedicated to helping people learn. Every lesson is based on what I need, and he never disappoints. His approach to math is both fun and engaging. He helps me get the results I want without substituting memorization for learning.”

✏️ “George has made such a big difference for our child – academically and personally.”

✏️ “We would heap praises, but facts speak better. With a ‘C’ in 8th grade math, and teachers happy with ‘the C’, which translates to just passing 8th grade MCAS at the cut-off grade, we looked to George to teach our child. The weekly two-hour session is productive and fun for our child! We would never have imagined our child sitting for two hours on High School Algebra – but it happens every week – only with George. George finds a way to teach and convey concepts in math – overcoming our child’s learning disabilities. Our child brought home a B+ in Algebra, and in one Algebra quiz, got the first time ever 100%. Our child has gained confidence which beats the frustration and ‘I hate math’ during 8th grade.”

✏️ “George has been an invaluable asset to me. Ever since I began seeing George five years ago he has been there to help me through whatever material I was struggling with. Whether is was my eighth grade algebra or my senior year AP calculus George has been able to not only teach me the material but to have me understand it as well. George helped me to get the 800 on the Math SAT and was even able to teach me in biology as well. After trying other tutors I can say without any reservation that George is the best out there. George presents the material in a way that is easily accessible and learnable, making sure that each student is able to learn the material in his/her own way. For my part George has both my thanks and respect for all that he has done. I can’t recommend his services enough and urge you, if you want to see real results George is the one to use.”

✏️ “I cannot express my gratitude to George who is devoted to my son’s education. George ensures that the time spent is productive. My son’s experience has been excellent, and the results were exceptional. George is not only the best math teacher for my son but also a mentor who helps him open new doors for the future.”

✏️ “As someone who usually finds math difficult and boring, I was relieved when I understood how easily George can get me to grasp concepts I couldn’t fathom on my own. In a span or roughly two and a half months, I have had results that were 150 points higher than my first SAT math score. George’s brilliance and enthusiasm made it easy for me to take my work seriously, and overcome my frustration and difficulty with SAT math. Nobody has the aptitude George has to boost math scores through efficient techniques for problem solving and test taking, or can rival his knowledge of mathematics.”

✏️ “George is the best math tutor imaginable.”

✏️ “George has been tutoring me for eight months. While he has a relaxed personality, he thoroughly explains all important concepts and makes sure that I full understand the topics before moving on. His knowledge is vast and I really enjoy working with him.”

✏️ “George was flexible and accommodating when my daughter and I found ourselves overscheduled one month before three scheduled SAT-2 examinations. He organized a study program, identified the appropriate tools, and worked out a mutually acceptable schedule on short notice. His thorough understanding of the information and the test process coupled with his kind and cheerful personal style was very effective. The outcomes met our very high expectations, and we look forward to working with him in the future.”

✏️ “George is a master at his field. He connects well with students and genuinely takes an interest. My son has improved his math performance in school and has increased his math SAT score by 220 points in less than nine months. George not only teaches math, but teaches strategies and encourages deeper thinking skills. My son is always fully engaged and has a desire to learn with George. They have two hours of fun every week.”

✏️ “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’.”

✏️ “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.”

✏️ “The children never complain that George is boring or off topic or that he is a waste of their time, and they would if they thought that. Almost any other teacher or tutor did elicit those comments sooner or later from the same children. They tell us that even though George makes them work hard, the effort is worthwhile and that they are being exposed to something uniquely valuable and not duplicative of school work.”

✏️ “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.”

✏️ “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 helped my daughter realize that she really could understand math. Her improved test scores inspired her to work harder, not just in math, but also in all her classes. Her confidence and ambition both grew as she realized that she could master a difficult topic. George has the gifts of a good translator and teacher, he listens extremely well and then uses words and descriptions that can help students decipher difficult concepts. George’s approach to learning, studying, and preparing are completely transferable across many subjects.”

✏️ “Far more than a brilliant teacher, George’s warm and positive attitude has been truly therapeutic by giving our daughter a new confidence and competence in math.”

✏️ “We can’t say enough about how good a teacher George has been throughout the years. We feel that our children are well grounded in fundamentals and have the confidence to take on any academic challenge in the future. George is devoted to his craft and a truly unique academic tutor.”

✏️ “The first time I took an SAT math practice test, I scored a 540. I was confident in my math skills, but I still scored quite low. After learning with George, I realized that my problem solving skills were not refined. George taught me how to think. The SAT math section does not actually have any extremely difficult math. The real tough part is solving a problem efficiently and accurately. George taught me how to connect many topics of math together to do this. By the time I was ready to take the real SAT, I was scoring 800’s on the practice tests.” (800 Math SAT)

✏️ “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 son was diagnosed with lymphoma during his freshman year and has been out of school for a year and a half. In addition to feeling sick from all of the chemo treatments, he was feeling hopeless that he would ever be able to catch up with his schoolwork. What he wanted the most was to catch up in math – Algebra II. George was the answer. For almost a year now George has been teaching him in our home for 4-6 hours a week. Not only is he catching up but he is also maintaining an A average and he will be able to enter his junior year this fall feeling completely confident in his math knowledge. We are so grateful to George for that. Although he has a long way to go catching up in all his other subjects and he still has another six months on chemo treatment, he is ready to get back to his life as a normal high school student. Couldn’t have done it without George! Thank you for your dedication to our son – mathematically and emotionally!!”
“George is a great tutor and a very nice person to talk to. I would recommend him for anyone.”

✏️ “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.”

✏️ “George is a very relaxed, but serious tutor, making every session fun while also imparting incredible amounts of math knowledge. It is because of my sessions with George that I realized how much I love math and it is now my favorite subject. I have earned a straight A in math this year thanks to George.”

✏️ “I could tell, my son really liked you and already is getting huge benefits from working with you. Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

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

✏️ “Before I started working with George, I lacked the confidence and tools to complete my math year with a strong ending. After just three meetings with him I began to receive A’s rather than C’s. Not only does George teach with passion, but he also tailors his explanations and the presentation of the material to fit my specific needs. His commitment to my learning is exemplified by willingness and ability to describe the real content and meaning of the work rather than simply relying on the memorization of formulas. Working with George has made me believe that the key to successful learning is dependent on a great teacher – and George is a great teacher.”

✏️ “Working with George has improved my math skills immeasurably. I was able to achieve a near perfect score on my Math SAT as a result of George’s dedication, patience, and skill in our tutoring sessions. He made sure I not only understood the concepts but had a deep knowledge of them. I also worked on my school work with George and felt that our work together put me well ahead of my fellow students.” (790 SAT Math)

✏️ “George is not an ordinary math teacher. Not only did my son receive phenomenal math tutoring, but George also boosted his confidence. I’d overhear George encouraging my son, ‘Let’s look at the problem carefully, it’s easy…’ By upping my son’s self esteem, George was able to improve his score. George also built up my son’s stamina by having him take full length practice tests so he’d be prepared for the actual SAT.”

✏️ “Our daughter has always struggled with math, especially on standardized tests. Always a good student and hard working, she was always disappointed with her test scores. By working with George, she has grown in her understanding and grasp of the subject. My wife and I are encouraged to see her renewed energetic interest in achieving in math which for too long has been so frustrating and intimidating for her. George, thanks for all your help.”

✏️ “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.”

✏️ “Working with George is fun. Before I started working with him I always hated going to math but not anymore. I enjoy math. I don’t want it to end. He is doing an amazing job getting me up to par with my grade. He is the best math teacher I have ever had and the sooner you start working with him the better. If you put in the time he will be able to catch you up and get you in front of your whole school. If you don’t work with him it’s your loss.”

✏️ “I’ve always struggled with pre-calculus and calculus. My teachers never taught the theory behind the problems, or how it was connected to the big picture. George makes it his mission to make sure you thoroughly understand the concepts of the subject.” (college calculus student)

✏️ “My son has been tutored by George for the last three years. During that time he has gone from a struggling student to one who feels a confident mastery of the subject. George has built up his understanding by patiently explaining the basic foundation of math as well as adding enrichment when my son was ready. He now loves math and we owe it all to George!”

✏️ “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 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.”

✏️ “My senior year brought with it an abundance of math challenges. I had decided to enroll in BC Calculus, as well as take the Math II SAT2. I never considered myself to be particularly good at math, so I was very worried about how my various math undertakings would pan out – but, under George’s tutelage, I ended up doing better than I could have ever expected. Often investing extra time into lessons, George Patiently taught me enough about precalculus and calculus to raise my average SAT2 by more than 180 points and nudge my math grade to an A. George takes the time to explain the underpinnings of each theorem, never resorting to memorization when there is understanding to be had. Whenever I brought my confusions to George, he could explain with perfect clarity what had gone wrong in my calculations. Two years ago, I never would have envisioned myself having my current relationship with math – one where I can look forward to new challenges rather than dread tests and quizzes. Without George’s unparalleled skill as a teacher, I would never have improved in math to the point that I have. As a student, I cannot recommend George highly enough. More than achieve tangible results in terms of grades and numbers, I have developed an entirely new attitude towards mathematics thanks to George.”

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