Roots for Success
Private Math Tutoring
Grades 1-6
Roots for Success Services
** COVID-19 UPDATE: In an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 I will be moving all tutoring sessions online. Please email me with any questions you might have: sherry@rootsforsuccess.org.
Many students who struggle with math need support beyond what their teachers are able to provide in the classroom or their parents are able to provide at home. I create a safe space and a fun atmosphere in which your child can master math concepts at their own pace. I work one-on-one with students in Grades 1-6 to deepen their understanding of core math concepts, develop confidence in problem solving, clarify misunderstandings, reinforce and sharpen math skills, and help students overcome math anxiety.
Build and Support Sessions
Weekly tutoring sessions provide students with sustained support throughout the school year. Over time, I am able to develop a relationship with your child, more accurately identify gaps in their knowledge, and better bolster their mathematical development. Students thrive on the consistency of weekly sessions and, in turn, their confidence soars!
Track-Out Booster Blocks
If your child is on a year-round schedule, track-out breaks provide an ideal time to boost math content knowledge and skills. A booster block of four or more sessions can be used to shore up math trouble areas from the previous academic session and/or provide a preview and practice with upcoming math content.
EOG Prep Sessions
Standardized assessments such as the North Carolina end-of-grade tests ("EOGs") and the Iowa Assessments are used to measure the progress of students. Even for the most confident students, standardized testing can create much anxiety. During EOG prep sessions, we review specific grade-level math content that will be covered on the EOG and practice strategies for different types of questions.
All sessions are $60/hour. New online sessions are $30/30-minute session.
What parents are saying ...
Sherry is a fantastic tutor and we are lucky to have found her! She tutored our daughter throughout 5th grade, and she has returned for 6th grade tutoring. Our daughter went from struggling with her material and lacking confidence, to embracing its challenges and excelling in this subject area. The benefits to our daughter are evidenced by both her dramatically improved test scores and more importantly, her new found confidence! She now approaches math as a puzzle to be solved rather than a subject to shy away from. Our third grader has also started with Sherry this year. He looks forward to and loves his tutoring sessions. Sherry is an exceptional instructor. She pares her lessons with hands-on activities and real world applications that the kids love. Both the kids report that she makes math fun!
We are so lucky to have found Sherry to tutor both of our children in math. Before going to Sherry our kids thought math was “too hard” and intimidated by it. Sherry has definitely changed their perspective on math and taught them that math can be fun by engaging them in math games, puzzles, activities, etc. Now they are both thriving and have a totally different outlook on math. I would highly recommend Sherry to anyone who is looking for a reliable, nurturing and knowledgeable math tutor. Thanks for boosting our kids confidence in math!
We moved a couple times, which left some holes in our son's math skills. As a result, he felt he simply "wasn't good at math." Really, he just needed those holes filled in, and a better all around number sense. We were thrilled to find Sherry to help get him back on track. Not only is she amazingly well-qualified; she is kind and fun, which made going to tutoring no big deal. His skills and confidence improved to the point he qualified for gifted math! We couldn't be more grateful.
Our son has become passionate about learning math with Ms. Sherry and looks forward to meeting with her and Stella each week. He has been able to gain confidence in understanding math, practical applications, and the positive rewards of grasping new concepts. Sherry is wonderful to work with as a teacher and professional!
Math in Action
The "math lab" is where all the fun happens!
Sherry Booth Freeman, Ph.D.
Roots for Success grew out of my passion for actively engaging elementary students in learning mathematics. I enjoy working with students to deepen their understanding of math and to make it meaningful, relevant, and fun. With over 30 years of experience in the field of education - as a teacher, researcher, curriculum developer, and instructional designer - I bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to each session. Each student is unique and comes to me with their own learning style. I find great joy in figuring out how content can be creatively developed and delivered to support their range of learning styles.
I tutor out of my home in Cary, North Carolina where I live with my husband and my friendly Laborador Retreiver, Stella.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does scheduling and payment work?
Call or email me to discuss your child's needs. Based on our conversation I will recommend a tutoring plan. If you would like to move forward with the plan, we will schedule a series of tutoring sessions. I invest considerable time preparing for individualized sessions and I want to ensure that we have adequate time to make progress towards our goals. For that reason, I ask that you book a minimum of four sessions. Payment is due in advance or at the time of the tutoring session. I accept cash and checks. Please make checks payable to Roots for Success.
What education and/or experience do you have that qualifies you to tutor?
I have a Ph.D in Curriculum & Instruction (North Carolina State University), a Master's degree in Education (Harvard University); and a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics (Sweet Briar College). I have worked on projects for the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Department of Education, Education Development Center, Harvard University, Boston Public Schools, Chicago Public Schools, the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation, North Carolina Public Schools, and more. I have tutored students in math, on and off, for more than 30 years and I genuinely love working with children.
What is a typical tutoring session like?
All tutoring sessions are customized to meet your child’s needs. Prior to the session I develop a lesson for your child that is rooted in the North Carolina Standard Course of Study. When your child arrives, I begin by asking them if they are struggling with any math concepts at school or if they would like help with their homework. We always address that first. I then actively involve your child in constructing mathematics through a hands-on activity. I follow the activity up with written practice that mirrors the types of problems your child is doing at school. I’m a big fan of using math manipulatives (e.g. pattern blocks, fraction circles, linking cubes) and children's literature to help students develop a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts. I also frequently use math games to help students develop confidence and skill in a fun and engaging way.
Do you provide tutoring materials and/or a curriculum?
I provide all of the materials your child will need for tutoring sessions. As an experienced instructional designer and curriculum developer, I pull from 30 years worth of curriculum materials I have developed or acquired to prepare a lesson that is tailored to your child’s needs. Students who need help with homework should bring their textbook or workbook to the tutoring session. So that I am able to better prepare for sessions, it is also helpful for me to see emails from your child's teacher regarding upcoming topics, as well as any returned tests your child has received.
Do you provide group tutoring?
If requested by the parents, I will tutor up to three students for Track-Out Booster Sessions. Build & Support Sessions and EOG Prep Sessions are individual only.
What happens if I need to cancel a scheduled session?
Your child's tutoring session is reserved exclusively for him/her. If you need to cancel or reschedule a session, please let me know at least 24 hours in advance. Late cancellations (non-emergency - less that 24 hours) and no shows require full payment.
How did you get started in this type of work?
As a former middle school math teacher, I saw students coming to middle school with a lack of confidence in mathematics, sometimes gaps in their knowledge, and often a lot of math anxiety. I became interested the mathematical foundations that students were gaining in elementary school and wanted to support the development of that foundation.
- CONTACT ME
Ready to get started? Have more questions? Please contact me! Include your child's grade level, the school she/he attends, and any particular areas where your child needs additional support.
Roots for Success
Cary, North Carolina 27518
sherry@
rootsforsuccess.org 919-247-9494
© 2019