Meet your tutor
About Clear Step Math
Clear explanations, patient coaching, and a plan that makes the next step feel possible.
“I want to be the teacher everyone wishes they could have.”
My name is Ashley and I want to inspire math confidence in students of every age and grade.
In grade school I was not good at math! I felt like no one took the time to slow down and explain things to me. I got lost in the details and it did not click for me.
Finally, in ninth grade, an amazing teacher set his prep time to walk me through my questions. He never made me feel like I was dumb or that my questions didn't matter. He was enthusiastic every time I walked into his room with questions. He had a deep passion for kids (and geometry).
In college, I learned to like math. I double majored in Mathematics Education and Criminal Justice at the University of Northwestern-St Paul. I had a wonderful professor that took time to explain advanced concepts and I finally had a "lightbulb" moment. I learned to enjoy the satisfaction of working through a hard problem and finding the solution. I decided that I wanted to give other struggling students that same "lightbulb" moment.
In my tutoring, I want to give my students confidence with their math skills. I want to create a learning environment where they can grow to have those same satisfying moments. I want to be the teacher everyone wishes they could have.
Background & Credentials
- B.A., double major in Mathematics Education and Criminal Justice -- University of Northwestern-St Paul
- Middle school and high school classroom teaching experience
- Private tutoring experience across elementary, middle, and high school grade levels
Teaching Philosophy
Math builds on itself, so a student who's struggling usually isn't struggling with today's lesson -- they're missing something from two chapters or two years back. My first job is finding that gap and filling it, not drilling the current homework until it sticks.
From there it's steady practice and a lot of patience. I want students explaining the why back to me, not just landing on the right answer, because that's the difference between passing one test and being able to handle the next class.