​Meet Dr. Susan D'Agostino:

 

Hi, I'm Susan. Before pivoting my career to public science writing, I taught mathematics and writing for years at an Ivy League college, a highly selective liberal arts college, and a regional university. My teaching has been recognized with numerous accolades, including tenure, a commendation from the New Hampshire governor, and a university's Excellence in Teaching Award. Earlier, I earned a PhD in mathematics at Dartmouth College and an MA in writing at Johns Hopkins. Also, prior to graduate school, I worked as a math teacher at a public high school and a college admission counselor at two highly selective liberal arts colleges. Education is at the center of my career and life.   

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My academic tutoring and coaching philosophy is holistic. Depending on your student's needs, we might target academic support in a specific area such as math, writing, or drafting college essays. Or we might hone your student's executive function skills in areas such as organization, study habits, and academic planning. I am interested in helping your student succeed in the classroom and beyond. 

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​​​Student Testimonials:

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“The best teacher I have ever had. Susan makes sure students are really learning the material and not just pretending to.”

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"Susan was the best part of my school year. She was always excited to teach and very understanding." 

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“She led me to a new way of math learning.”

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​​​​“I look back at the essay drafts I started with, and the final products and am so thankful for how far they came with Susan’s help. Her feedback was kind, generous, and introspective. In the process I learned more than just about editing any one essay. I learned techniques and ideas for the writing process that I’ll use forever. Also, one of the essays I worked on with her helped me gain admission to [my dream college]. I'm so grateful that Susan’s help led to this really exciting outcome.”

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"I’m so happy! I had hoped to get a C in calculus, but I got an A! I’m so glad I got to work with Susan.”

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​“Susan is extremely kind. I love the way she gives helpful insight that is constructive and judgment free. She has passion for everything she does, which makes time with her very interesting." 

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​"Very down to earth and knows how to teach people who aren’t very good at math.”

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​​“Dr. D’Agostino is very approachable and accommodating. She cared about my progress, encouraged me to ask questions, and dig deeper. She’s awesome!”

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"She was very passionate, kind, and understanding."

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“What I like most about Susan is her ability to provide alternate explanations quickly and effortlessly.”

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“Thank you Susan for all of your advice, encouragement, and attentiveness as I worked on my writing. I've now published several of my essays! Working with you has been fantastic.”

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“Susan did a great job helping me with calculus in a way that was easy to understand. I really liked that she didn’t just spout formulas and theorems. Instead, she showed me why the formulas and theorems are what they are so I could understand calculus in a deeper way.”

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“An extremely nice and approachable human being.”    

                    

“Dr. D’Agostino really liked to get me involved in math conversations. Sometimes I was hesitant, but she always made me feel that my ideas were worthwhile and interesting.”

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“Susan has a great teaching mindset. She sets high expectations but didn’t expect me to do everything without help. She happily thoroughly answered my questions and truly cared about my success.” 

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“She really loves teaching, and I enjoy learning from her. She cares about her students and inspires them to make progress.”

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“I cannot recommend Susan more highly. She loves math and teaching, and it shows brilliantly. She matched my learning speed and never left me bored or overwhelmed.”

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“She is an amazing woman! She really showed me that I can be good at math.”​

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Frequently Asked Questions:  

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What's the difference between tutoring and academic coaching? Do I need to chose one?  

 

​Tutoring focuses on specific class content and helps students grasp concepts in particular subjects. Academic coaching focuses on developing organizational and functional learning skills applicable to many subjects. When your student works with me, they do not need to choose one. I am here to support your student's overall success.  

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As a student, I come with a specific background. I may be high achieving and want to take my learning to the next level. Or I lack confidence and am looking for support. Can you help? 

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Absolutely. I have worked with students of all abilities and interest levels. I am focused on helping you grow as a student, regardless of your starting place. I love helping students of all ages and abilities supercharge their academic success.

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I am a math student who needs help in a specific class such as algebra or calculus. Can you offer targeted support?

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Yes. As a former high school math teacher and college mathematics professor, I am familiar with and enjoy teaching the entire mathematics curriculum -- from middle school through college. This includes pre-algebra, algebra, geometry, algebra II, precalculus, discrete math, single-variable calculus, multivariable calculus, statistics, linear algebra, proof writing, symbolic logic, abstract algebra, and more. I meet you where you are today as a math student. Then, as you advance to more challenging math topics, I grow with you.   

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Can you work with me on writing school papers or college admission essays?

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Yes. When I work with a student on writing, they hone critical thinking skills that serve them beyond the particular assignment. In particular, I approach college application essay writing as a process of self-discovery. Students report that this alleviates some of the stress of the college application process while helping them clarify their personal and professional goals. ​

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​​How often, when, and where will we meet? 

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As my student, you and I will meet every week during the school year. Some students find that a one-hour session per week works well. Other students prefer a two-hour session per week. Our once-per-week meeting will be scheduled on a fixed, mutually convenient day and time (e.g. on Thursday from 3-5pm ET).

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If you live on or near the New Hampshire Seacoast, we will meet in person, unless you have a need or preference for virtual meetings. If you live outside of this region, we will meet by video call. (Please note that a two-hour virtual meeting may take 2 hours and 15 minutes, should you want to plan for a short break.)​

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​Fees: 

Academic tutoring and coaching are investments in your student's learning trajectory that pay dividends over a lifetime. For my services, I offer two annual pricing options with no hidden or unexpected fees:  

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• Option 1: ​​

  • Every week during the school year,* your student will meet with me for 1 hour for ongoing tutoring and academic coaching.  

  • Prior to the start of the school year, your student will meet with me for one 2-hour meeting, In this meeting, I will support your student in articulating goals and planning for the year.

  • During each of the second, third, and fourth academic quarters, your student will have the option to change one one-hour meeting into a two-hour meeting. Your student will typically exercise this option during high-demand times such as approaching midterm exams, final exams, or college application deadlines.

  • Annual fee: $6,750. ​​

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• Option 2:

  • Every week during the school year,* your student will meet with me for 2 hours for ongoing tutoring and academic coaching.  

  • Prior to the start of the school year, your student will meet with me for one 3-hour meeting, During this time, I will support your student in articulating goals and planning for the year.

  • During each of the second, third, and fourth academic quarters, your student will have the option to change one two-hour meeting into a four-hour meeting (or two two-hour meetings). Your student will typically exercise this option during high-demand times such approaching midterm exams, final exams, or college application deadlines.

  • Annual fee: $12,555. 

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If you pay the full amount in August, you will receive a 5% discount. Otherwise, you will pay nine monthly installments, beginning in August and ending in April. (In the first eight months, each payment will cover the following month's services, regardless of the number of weeks or meetings in the month. The final payment in April will cover meetings in May and June.) The nine monthly installment amounts for Option 1 are $750 each. For Option 2, the nine monthly installments are $1,395 each.  

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*For the purposes of our collaboration, the school year starts on September 1 and ends June 15. We will not meet during Thanksgiving week, the last week of December, the first week of January, the week of winter break, and the week of spring break. Students benefit from allowing these weeks to be true breaks. ​

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The time I devote to your student's needs goes beyond the time we spend together. In addition to meeting with your student, I prepare for our sessions and follow up as needed. I also pursue work and professional development activities that inform my work with your student. Additionally, I distill research and experience into actionable advice for your student.  

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When your student meets with me, they draw on decades of successful teaching, tutoring, and coaching experiences. I help your student consider learning approaches that may depart from what they've tried in the past. This often creates efficiencies that accelerate your student's overall learning and academic goals. Your student may apply these skills in their current educational setting, in college, and beyond.

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Contact: 

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Now is the time to begin planning for the 2025-26 academic year, during which I expect to have a limited number of openings. If you are interested in hiring me to work with your student, please reach out via my contact page on this website. (See the "contact" link on the menu.) In a sentence or two, let me know your student's name, grade level, academic support area(s) of interest, and a timeframe for when your student hopes to begin. Include your email or phone number so that I may reply to schedule a 15-minute meet-and-greet video or phone call with you. I look forward to talking! 

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​I aim to be accessible to all, regardless of financial situation. While my individual tutoring and coaching rates are non-negotiable, you can also get a taste of my math, science, and education insights for much less or for free. Here are some options:   

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• I am a huge fan of libraries. Why not ask your librarian to purchase a copy of my book, How to Free Your Inner Mathematician: Notes on Mathematics and Life (Oxford University Press, 2020)? In my book, which won the Mathematical Association of America's Euler Book Prize, I offer guidance on managing the fear, freedom, frustration, and joy that often accompany calls to think mathematically. I also write about a lot of cool math, which I worked to make accessible by drawing more than 300 sketches.

• If you would like to order your own copy of How to Free Your Inner Mathematician, use promo code ASPROMP8 on my publisher’s website for a 30% discount. ​

• In this extended NPR interview with Melissa Harris-Perry, I discuss how education is changing.  

• You can read hundreds of math, science, and education stories I've written and published in best-in-class newspapers and magazines, much of which is not behind paywalls. See links on my journalism page. 

• In this Mathematical Association of America interview with mathematician Allison Henrich, I discuss my life and work. 

• In this NPR interview with Mike Collins, I discuss how AI is impacting education. 

• In this MoMath: The National Museum of Mathematics interview with Steven Strogatz (author of The Joy of X and Infinite Powers), I discuss my book, How to Free Your Inner Mathematician.

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For those who aspire to write, I have also organized my writing portfolio on my website, which you may study as an example of one writer’s path. I also regularly speak in public venues, and I post notice of those events (with links, when available) on my website. Check back regularly. I hope to see you at an event sometime!​​​

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