1-on-1 Math Confidence Tutoring
Rebuilding math confidence, one win at a time.
Lost confidence in math doesn’t happen in an instant. It’s a small erosion, a series of moments that shapes how a student sees themselves.
They sit in class starting at a problem, not knowing where to start. They see other students scribbling away without hesitation.
Their teacher has almost finished an example on the board, but they are still stuck on the first line. They are afraid to ask a question out of fear of looking dumb.
It’s a build-up of dozens of these moments, when a student starts to think…
“Why am I so slow compared to everyone else?”
“How do they know what to do, and I feel completely lost?”
“Is there something wrong with me?”
When your teen has reached this point, they don’t need a ‘better explanation.’ They need a new experience.
They need someone to help them see that…
…nothing is wrong with them, they’re just in the messy middle of the learning process.
…they are capable, they just need a space where it’s safe to try, mess up and try again.
…math can actually feel doable, even enjoyable, with the right support.
They need someone who will believe in them, especially when they don’t believe in themselves.
I’ve helped dozens of students make the shift from:
“I’m just not a math person,”
to “Wait, I can do this.”
That change doesn’t happen overnight. It’s built, one session at a time by showing up, trying, failing safely, trying again, and slowly learning to trust themselves.
That’s what I do. And I’d love to help your teen do the same.
Not Your Typical Math Tutor
By the time most students come to me, they’ve already tried working with other tutors. The story usually looks something like this:
They leave with a list of steps, but not the tools to adapt when the question changes.
They feel like they’re learning… but they’re not building independence.
And without independence, confidence never really takes root.
How I Help Students Build Math Confidence
Understand the Learner
We start with a relaxed, 30-minute ‘Meet & Greet’, between me and your child.
We explore their interests and goals, what they feel confident with, what they’re struggling with, and what they’d like to focus on in our first session.
This conversation helps me to tailor their program to meet their unique needs, both academically and emotionally. I also aim to connect what we’re learning to their goals and interests, so that sessions feel relevant and motivating.
Expertly-Designed Lessons
I create a highly interactive lesson plan based on what we discussed, designed using my unique methodology to move your child from confusion to clarity.
Lessons progress from simple recall to deeper analysis. Activities are carefully structured to develop thinking skills, not just content knowledge. And, I weave learning strategies directly into the lesson, so students practice how to learn, not just what to learn.
This isn’t passive learning. It’s engaging, challenging, and effective.
Guided Support & Interactive Work
In each session, I act as a guide, not a lecturer.
Your child does the thinking, the solving, and the strategizing. I support them through blocks using strategic questioning and structured guidance.
We work together using collaborative tools like Zoom’s whiteboard and shared Google Docs.
They’re not watching me do math, they’re building the skills and the confidence to do it themselves.
Continued Support
After each session, I upload screenshots from our whiteboard into their Google Doc “Worksheet;” a living study resource they can revisit anytime.
I don’t usually assign homework but I may offer short, purposeful activities to consolidate learning.
Examples include writing out steps from a solution we worked through, or rating their confidence across course material in preparation for exams.
Everything is focused, flexible, and designed to support mastery, not overwhelm.
Rinse & Repeat
At the end of each session, we pick the next topic to cover. I design the lesson and we work together in an interactive session to further build up their confidence.
The topic is always chosen by the student because it gives them ownership over their learning, and teaches them how to recognize and advocate for their own learning needs.
In the beginning, I may guide this process, but over time students learn how to choose their own focus and communicate what they need help with most.
That’s real learning independence.
The Goal?
The goal is for students to leave each session thinking: “I did that, mostly on my own.”
They walk away with a deeper understanding of the topic, a clearer senses of how to approach problems, and a growing belief in their own ability to figure things out.
Because that’s how math confidence is born…
one positive experience at a time.
ABOUT ME
I believe that learning is our superpower.
In a world that’s changing faster than ever, success doesn’t come from memorizing formulas, it comes from know how to learn, adapting quickly, and having the confidence to figure things out when the path isn’t clear.
That’s why I do this work.
Over the past 10 years, I’ve tutored students in everything from high school math and science to university-level courses. I hold a degree in Biology with a minor in Mathematics, and I’ve spent years studying how we learn through the lenses of cognitive science, psychology, and evolutionary biology.
Originally, I planned to become a high school math teacher. But I saw something again, and again: even the best teachers are stuck trying to cover too much content in too little time. They’re expected to move from topic to topic just to stay on schedule. They want to support the students who are struggling, but often don’t have the time, tools, or flexibility to do it.
So I chose a different path, one where I could help fill that gap.
I’ve built my tutoring practice around one core belief: every student is capable, and confidence comes from experiences of success. My work is about help students “fill in the blanks,” the little gaps in understanding that become big obstacles over time, and guiding them toward those a-ha moments that change everything.
And honestly? Every time I see a student smile because something finally clicks, it remind me why I love what I do.
Here’s what my past clients have said…
“Brenna is a wonderful tutor. My daughter ends each session with a smile and greater confidence. Brenna’s support means so much in helping to build my daughter’s future. Sometimes, it’s about finding the right person at the right moment, and we have been fortunate to find her along our path. Thank you for your help!”
The Logistics
Supported Courses
Session Format
Rates
What if we prefer in-person support?
I completely understand. Many students had a tough experience with online learning during COVID.
But here’s the good news: my virtual sessions are not passive Zoom lectures.
They are highly interactive, hands-on, and engaging from start to finish. Students solve problems in real-time using collaborative tools like Zoom whiteboard and shared Google Docs. Most are surprised by how effective, and even enjoyable, the experience is.
Still prefer to meet in person?
I offer limited in-person session at GoodEats Cafe in Downtown Ottawa. Please note: availability for in-person spots are more limited.
Ready to Get Started?
Your child deserves to feel confident and supported in math. Let’s talk about how we can help transform your teen’s math confidence and set them up for success!