Love
Math
Mathematics Tutoring
with Jack Love, PhD
"The real satisfaction from mathematics is in
learning from others and sharing with others."
— Bill Thurston
About
jack love headshot
jack love headshot

I started tutoring 20 years ago as a student at City College of San Francisco. I have fond memories of that room in the library basement. It was a hive of activity, where students would take a number like in a deli. It was exciting to call out the next number, push the “Now serving” button, and walk over to the student with the raised hand. It was a chance to help someone, share my knowledge and experience, and connect.

Not much has changed since then. After three degrees and a bunch of teaching experience, it's still about helping, sharing, and connecting.

It's a special moment when a student's eyes light up with new understanding. When this happens, you are doing more than learning math. You are learning something about yourself and what you're capable of.

Testimonials

"I highly recommend Jack Love as a math tutor for young students. His ability to tailor lessons to each student's unique learning style ensures they not only grasp key mathematical concepts but also develop a genuine interest in the subject. Jack introduces creative problem-solving approaches beyond traditional school methods, helping students gain a deeper, more flexible understanding and appreciation of mathematics."

- Ollie and Siri, parents of 4th and 6th graders Kyan and Cleo

"Adding to Jack's accomplishments is: the reason I, SHB, was able to graduate from college (at 38 years old). No joke, this man changed the course of my life."

- Sacha, San Francisco State University graduate

My son is always after the easy answer, and he's learned to dread any math that requires effort. He starts every session dragging his feet, but when I return at the end, he's engaged and doing the work. Jack uses the last 10 minutes to show him a real-world, hands-on math application to make it fun and relevant. Jack's made a real difference in how my son sees math — and in how willing he is to try.

- Wendy, parent of 7th grader

"We've been so grateful for the consistent support and guidance Jack has provided my daughter over the past few months. He is incredibly patient and has a wonderful sense of humor that makes learning fun and engaging. My 11-year-old genuinely enjoys working with him and looks forward to her sessions. This says a lot for a kid with dyscalculia, never would I have thought that she would look forward to anything math related. In a short time, she has grown in her understanding of math. We're so appreciative of his dedication, kindness, and ability to make the tough concepts feel manageable. I highly recommend Jack if you're looking for a tutor that might be a math whisperer!"

- Laura D, parent of 5th grader

"Jack used his patience, knowledge, and kindness to help my math-averse high schooler understand the concepts and operations she needed to succeed in her Geometry course. The greatest benefit of Jack's tutoring was the boost to her confidence in her own skills and abilities."

- Melissa A, parent of 10th grader Josie

Offerings

I offer online and in-person sessions. When tutoring online, I use a suite of digital tools that make the process seemless and engaging. Whether in-person or online, my tutoring sessions come in two flavors which I call curricular and extra-curricular.

Curricular Sessions

Curricular sessions focus on the student's current academic work. We go over homework, study for quizzes and tests, and strengthen our understanding of the course material. If a student is preparing for a future course, I research the course's learning outcomes and create lessons toward that end. Either way, I am careful to note student strengths and weaknesses and plan lessons accordingly.

Extra-curricular Sessions

Extra-curricular sessions expand the student's idea of what mathematics is and what it means to "do math". Mathematics is more than a system of symbols and rules. It is a creative process that we can participate in and engage with in a variety of ways. The lessons are often spontaneous and responsive to student interest in different topics. We may explore higher dimensions, infinity, art, symmetry, or a variety of other subjects missing from the standard school curriculum. We often co-create mathematical artifacts using craft materials or digital platforms.

Examples of classes

Primary and secondary school

All K-8th grade math
Pre-algebra
Algebra
Algebra 2
Geometry
Trigonometry
Pre-calculus
Calculus AB / Calculus BC / AP Calculus
IB math

Post-secondary school

Calculus I / Calculus II / Calculus III
Linear algebra
Differential Equations
Statistics / Probability
Discrete mathematics / Combinatorics
Introduction to Proofs
Abstract algebra
Topology

Background

I have a BA in mathematics from UC Berkeley and a PhD in mathematics from George Mason University.

I helped found an overnight math camp in the San Francisco Bay Area and directed a math outreach program that delivered fun and engaging mathematics content to hundreds of K-12 classrooms in Northern Virginia.

I have held faculty positions at George Mason University, San Francisco State University, City College of San Francisco, Diablo Valley College, and Las Positas College, and have received awards and fellowships for academic and teaching excellence.

Contact

To book a session or find out more, send a message to the address below. Include the student's grade level and math class, and where they need the most help. I look forward to hearing from you!