~ Currently accepting new students ~
Is your student using negative self-talk about their math class and homework?
Has your student had to adjust to a turnover of math teachers at their school?
Does it strain the relationship with your student when you help with math?
Do you see your student shutting down when they make mistakes?
VROOM TUTORS provides an online personalized space for your student to SHINE at math through SLOW and AFFIRMING math support free of peer judgment, teacher pressure or parental concern.
WHY ONE-ON-ONE TUTORING?
Middle grade students are learning math in increasingly fast-paced and high-stakes settings with under supported math teachers. This type of one-on-one math support is especially needed to:
Allow your student time to think through problems at their own pace, free of peer comparison
Highlight what your student is doing well, to build their confidence as they work to acquire new skills
Frame mistakes as opportunities for learning (vs. setbacks) to build student resilience and growth mindset
Closely observe and support your student's personal learning style, celebrating each win along the way!
Allow your student a 'neutral' space - apart from peers, teachers & parents - to try on new identities as a learner
Monthly tuition for online one-on-one support includes:
Weekly online one-on-one tutoring sessions (1 hr) for personalized homework support and preparation for quizzes/tests
Notes on each session emailed biweekly to parents
Homework support via text/email between sessions, as needed
Communication with parents to support student progress, as needed
Tutored subjects:
Mathematics (5th - 11th grade precalculus)
SAT Test Preparation
Tuition: $500/mo (4 sessions), $625/mo (5 sessions). SAT Tuition varies
Hi, I'm Valentina! To best support your middle grade student in their math learning, I bring:
Deep empathy and respect for students during the vulnerable transitions - socially & academically - from elementary to high school
Over a decade of middle grade teaching experience and knowledge of a wide range of student learning and help-seeking styles
Patience and humor with learning new math languages :)
Investment in supporting your student as a whole person (not just a math student) to build their confidence and resilience for life-long learning & problem solving
More on my Teaching Experience
I graduated with a B.S. in Management Science and Engineering from Stanford University and a Masters in Education from UC Berkeley. For years, I taught middle and high school math, science, and English, including classes at the UC Berkeley Pre-Engineering Partnerships program. My wide range of teaching experience includes K-12 arts-based museum education and my students bring a variety of cultural backgrounds and diverse set of learning needs. Beyond preparing students academically in core-math I most enjoy helping students build confidence in their ability to conquer academic challenges through growth mindset frameworks and mentorship.
I'm fluent in Spanish and enjoy practicing French and Italian. In my spare time, I'm learning Latin jazz piano and enjoy dancing and comedy.
Pedagogical Frameworks
Math frameworks by Jo Boaler and Pam Harris
Growth mindset frameworks by Carol Dweck
Museum arts training in Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS)
Testimonials
"Your teaching style is so clear and patient and worked amazing for my visual way of learning. You made math fun and upped my confidence when I walked into the classroom! Thank you for being an awesome tutor and friendly person."
~ Siena S., 11th grade student
"Valentina is very experienced in subjects she teaches and she deeply cares about each individual student. She knows how to communicate with students so well, that they trust her from the very first meeting, and enjoy every single session (even during summer vacation they look forward to tutoring with Valentina!)....Valentina is a real expert in her field"
~ Daiva P., parent to 8th grade students in summer transition to high school
"Valentina is so amazing to work with. Her patience and skill gave my daughter a huge leg up this year. My daughter was extremely discouraged at the beginning of 4th grade, but with the steady, sweet hand of Valentina she grew tremendously in math confidence."
~ Natalie N., 5th grade parent
"Valentina is just a generally warm and empathic person and a good influence all around! Great communicator as well...[My son] gained a lot of confidence - seems to be more patient, take his time, and just "gets it". His earlier efforts at math would frequently amount to giving up on the questions, just on sight. Now he can work through stuff methodically."
~ Steve G., 8th grade parent
