Empowering Students to Succeed in School and Life

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WHAT IS EDUCATIONAL THERAPY?

A focus on the whole person.

  • Helping someone understand HOW their brain works

  • Using strengths and interests to build essential lagging skills.

  • Developing self-compassion and a growth mindset.

  • Addressing social, emotional, and cognitive factors involved in learning.

  • Self-awareness and self-advocacy

  • More intensive academic remediation of key foundational skills

The most rewarding part of my job is seeing my students have those “Aha!" moments. Learning should feel exciting and accessible.

Math is an elegant, cohesive language of life and the universe. Understanding it is like having an extra sense.

If any subject “should” make sense, it’s math. If it’s taught well.

Unfortunately, far too many bright students struggle with math because:

  • Their teacher doesn’t understand their learning profile

  • Their school doesn’t understand the role of executive function or cognitive load in learning

  • They don’t get the accommodations they need

  • The curriculum is disjointed, too fast, out of sequence, and sometimes just bad

  • There’s no real teaching: students are expected to magically discover, and if they don’t, it’s seen as their fault

  • They’re missing key foundational skills and understanding. “Math is unforgivingly cumulative.”

  • There’s no concept-procedure integration: “why does this work, and how does it model real life?”

Learning should feel accessible, exciting, and applicable.

My approach focuses on getting to the root of why a student is struggling, then building a solid foundation from there. Since my approach is highly individualized and prescriptive, this process will look different for each student.

It’s not about band-aids. It’s about real, deep learning.

If students have a clear understanding of HOW the math works, they can think more flexibly about new problems, and make more connections between concepts. Everything in math is connected.

And since pretty much everything in life and learning requires executive function, I work on these skills throughout the process.

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

I have extensive professional development in specialized math instruction and the science of learning and behavior. I have over a decade of experience teaching and case-managing students with a diverse range of  learning profiles, including ADHD, dyslexia, dyscalculia, anxiety, autism, PTSD, executive function challenges, twice exceptional, multiple learning differences, and complex mental health profiles, as well as neurotypical students. ​

  • 10 years of teaching and coaching experience

  • CA Credentialed Special Education Teacher (Mild/Moderate, Added Autism Certification)

  • Professional Level Educational Therapist (ET/P)

  • National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC)

  • BA in Psychology from McGill University

  • 8 years of IEP case-management experience 

  • Extensive education and training in executive function. Sarah Ward is my favorite!

  • Ongoing study groups and self-study to learn and maintain best practices

  • BrainFrames: visual tools that organize language

  • Over 500 hours of Making Math Real* course work:

    • Overview

    • The 9 Lines (twice)

    • Games

    • The 4 Operations and 400 Math Facts

    • Fractions, Decimals, Advanced Place Value

    • Pre-Algebra

    • Algebra 1

    • Geometry (through high school)

    • Algebra 2

* Stefan Oste, in utilizing Making Math Real® (MMR®) methods, is in no way affiliated with, a member of, or employed by the Making Math Real Institute (MMRI), and does not represent or reflect MMR® or David Berg in any way whatsoever. Neither the MMRI nor David Berg has trained, certified, licensed, monitored, endorsed, recommended, or sponsored Stefan. MMR® is a clinical methodology, not a program or a curriculum, and neither the MMRI nor David Berg monitors, endorses, or accounts for the quality of services provided by Stefan Oste.

WHO I WORK BEST WITH

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Bright but struggling middle and high school students who can access their school math class with the right support. I max out at pre-calc and refer out for AP calc and AP stats.

I occasionally take on more intensive ET and independent study students whose needs are not being met by their school.

A parabola math exercise written on paper

I prefer students with solid number sense foundations, but who are struggling with the increasing demands, more advanced concepts, planning and organizing, and integration of concepts that comes with middle school and high school.

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For executive function (EF), I prefer clients who have solid academic skills so the primary focus of our work can be devoted to EF. Most clients experience that developing their EF skills leads to growth in many other areas of their lives.

WE MAY NOT BE A GOOD FIT IF…

  • You're looking for shortcuts and quick fixes.

  • The student doesn’t genuinely want to be there and put in the work

  • Working online is difficult.

I am very intentional about who I work with. I want to make sure that I'm a great fit and can truly help you. If it feels like it's not a good fit within the first month, I'll do everything I can to refer to someone who can better meet your needs.

Educational Services Testimonials

  • "Mr. Stefan is a phenomenal math coach. He inspired me to have confidence in myself and assured me that whatever I didn’t understand, we would work through it together."

    — Junior at Holy Names High School

  • "Stefan is truly exceptional. His investment in my son as a person has given him both confidence and resilience in math."

    — Parent of an 8th Grader

  • "Stefan is more than a tutor—he truly cares. He makes sure you’re ready before moving on and even takes time for fun conversations."

    — 8th Grade Student

  • "We hit the jackpot with Stefan! He imparts not just math skills, but a love of learning."

    — Parent of 8th Grader

  • "Stefan doesn’t just give answers—he teaches the 'why' behind them."

    — Parent of an East Bay independent school student

  • "Stefan creates a safe and supportive learning environment. My son became more confident and willing to try, even when frustrated."

    — Parent of Head Royce 8th Grader

  • "For almost two years, Stefan has helped me go beyond just learning the material—he’s taught me how to learn."

    — 8th Grade Student

If I sound like a good fit, I’d love to hear from you.

Schedule a free 30-minute introductory call with me today!

Questions? Email me at stefan@stefanoste.com.