Empowering Students to Learn How They Learn Best

I love helping people learn.

I offer educational therapy and tutoring specifically focused on math for 2e, neurodivergent, and enthusiastic students.

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WHAT IS EDUCATIONAL THERAPY?

A focus on the whole person.

  • Helping someone understand HOW they learn best.

  • 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.

  • Learning how to self-advocate.

  • More intensive academic remediation rather than focusing on a grade-level class.

My tutoring style looks at the subject as a whole rather than reviewing specific homework assignments. I will re-teach class material in a different way or help my clients with their homework and test preparation as needed.​ However, my approach takes a step back so we can get to the source of the struggle and find what fundamental concepts are the most helpful.

Since my tutoring emphasizes what each individual needs, this process will look different for each student.

If I'm helping a client maintain an A in their honors class, this will be more tutoring-focused. If I'm helping a client rebuild their self-esteem and willingness to engage with school and remediate years of missed instruction, this will be EF-focused.

But at the end of the day, most students get both math tutoring and executive functioning coaching.

Often, bright students simply need to think about math differently, and learning how to do that is like developing an extra sense. The most rewarding part of my job is successfully unlocking a new way for a student to learn math. It's an amazing skill to have not only for the classroom but for brain development and for life.

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

WHO I WORK BEST WITH

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My specialty is working with middle school and high school students with learning challenges. In particular, I love working with 2e, neurodivergent, and enthusiastic students.

A parabola math exercise written on paper

For math services, I prefer clients 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.

An image of a calendar notebook on a desk

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.

  • You cannot commit to consistently showing up.

  • You're not willing to take action and get your hands dirty.

  • 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

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

I have extensive professional development in specialized math instruction, motivational interviewing, 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.

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.