I care deeply about student learning and understanding.
I’m a credentialed math teacher with a bachelor’s degree in Math with Honors from UC Berkeley, a Master’s in Mathematics Education, National Board Certification, and 17 years of experience as an educator. I have over 3,000 hours of private math tutoring experience on Zoom.
I am a former high school math teacher and Math Department Chair at The College Preparatory School in Oakland, California.
I have extensive experience designing and delivering math curricula. I have extensive experience working with students.
I tailor my lessons to student needs and to the topics being studied in class.
I engage students: they are active in the learning process. I use direct, guided, and collaborative learning methodologies.
I make math fun, engaging, and rewarding. I build confidence and minimize math-related stress.
Overview
Hired 76 times
Background checked
1 employee
18 years in business
Business hours
Sun1:00 pm - 8:00 pmMon1:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Payment methods
This pro accepts payments via Zelle.
Top Pro status
Top Pros are among the highest-rated, most popular professionals on Thumbtack.
2024
2023
2022
Services offered
Student grade level
High school
Undergraduate school
Math type
Pre-algebra
Algebra
Geometry
Trigonometry
Work location
I work remotely (phone or internet)
Projects and media
Projects and media
Reviews
Customers rated this pro highly for work quality, professionalism, and responsiveness.
Exceptional 5.0
39 reviews
5
100%
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Read reviews that mention:
Andrew O.
Jul 6, 2026
We've worked with Robert Cottone as a mathtutor for my youngest since 5th grade, and it's been a great experience. Robert is knowledgeable and patient, and he has a real gift for meeting kids where they're at rather than pushing a one-size-fits-all approach.
When we started, math was a genuine source of stress for my daughter. She didn't think she was good at it, and there were plenty of tears over homework. That's changed a lot. She's heading into 7th grade now, and while she still has to put in real effort to keep up with her classmates, she's far more confident, and she actually looks forward to her sessions with Robert. Before big tests, she's the one asking to schedule extra time with him.
She's told me more than once that she doesn't know what she'd do without him, and that he's made her a better math student. Math still isn't her favorite subject. Robert's good, but he's not a miracle worker :) Still, the difference in her confidence and attitude has been real and lasting, and we expect she'll keep working with him right through high school.
We've recommended Robert to other families, including ones whose kids attend well-regarded private high schools, and have thanked us for the introduction. I"m happy to keep doing so, although I'm worried it might be harder to book sessions!
Erez K.
Aug 4, 2025
•
Hired on Thumbtack
Robert Cottone is, without a shadow of a doubt, the best tutor my kids have ever worked with and one of the finest educators I've met in my life. His tutoring has single handedly transformed my daughter's experience in math. My kid is a "humanities" kid who attends one of the most rigorous academic high schools in the country, with a very intensive STEM emphasis. The school does not offer "math for poets" and, before she began working with Mr. Cottone, it's fair to say my kid was lost. Now, entering her third year of working with him, she has (thanks to his help) turned into an A student in math. More important than her grades, she has acquired a confidence in mathematics that would have been impossibly elusive without Mr. Cottone's magnificently patient, clear explications and wonderful confidence-building manner. If you are looking for a one-in-a-million tutor for your kid in math, stop right here -- you've found him.
Details: High school • Algebra • 14 - 17 years old • Remotely (phone or internet)
Math with Mr Cottone - Building Math Confidence's reply
Thank you so much for your review, Erez, I really appreciate your feedback and recommendation! It has been such a rewarding and productive experience working with your daughter over the years. She has shown great progress that has resulted in the achievement of her math goals. I look forward to continuing our math collaboration as she continues her high school journey!
Math Tutoring
Rebecca S.
Jul 27, 2025
•
Hired on Thumbtack
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding MathTutor – Truly Made a Difference!
We are incredibly grateful for the amazing support our mathtutor has given our child the last few months before the AP Exam. With finals approaching and a lot of pressure to catch up, we were in need of someone who could make a real impact in a short period of time — and that’s exactly what we found.
Robert not only helped our child improve his grades but more importantly, helped them understand the subject in a way that school just hadn't. Concepts that once seemed confusing suddenly started to click, and we noticed a boost in both confidence and motivation.
Robert's ability to explain things clearly, patiently, and in a way that connected with our child made all the difference. We truly feel that this tutor gave our child the tools to succeed, not just for the test, but long-term.
Highly recommend to any parent looking for someone who can bring out the best in them!
Details: High school • Calculus • 18 - 25 years old • Remotely (phone or internet)
Math with Mr Cottone - Building Math Confidence's reply
Thank you, Rebecca, for your review! Your son made excellent progress and it’s so rewarding to know that he achieved his goal of earning a 5 on the AP exam. Knowing that our work has also made a lasting impact on his education means so much to me and my work — thank you so much for this feedback!
Math Tutoring
Kerrie S.
Mar 17, 2025
•
Hired on Thumbtack
He really helped explain the concepts to my daughter and prompted her to work through the problem to find the solution. She very much enjoyed him as a tutor and is doing well right now in math. We will definitely be repeat clients!
Details: High school • Algebra • 14 - 17 years old • Remotely (phone or internet)
Math Tutoring
Rob A.
Jun 29, 2024
•
Hired on Thumbtack
Thank you for the extensive knowledge you had for the 4 math classes I needed to pass. Without your help, I know for a fact I wouldn’t have passed. You made math just make sense and I appreciate everything.
Details: High school • Algebra • Pre-algebra • 26 - 44 years old • Improve grades at school • As recommended by teacher • My home, venue, etc. • Remotely (phone or internet) • At the pro’s location
Math Tutoring
Credentials
Background Check
Robert Cottone
FAQs
What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
Special offers:
$20 Thank You credit for every successful referral.
Discounts for meeting weekly or for more than one hour in a week.
Please inquire about the details!
What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
I ask for new students to send me information regarding their course and course materials (textbook, etc), copies of their graded work (quizzes and/or tests), and questions/topics/assignments we will be working on in our first session. Graded work helps me determine which areas to focus on when reviewing past concepts, and current assignments help me tailor our work to best support students as they learn in class.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have a BA (with Honors) in Math from UC Berkeley, an MAT in Mathematics Education, teaching credentials from California and Arizona, and National Board Certification. I have been a classroom teacher for 14 years, 13 of those teaching high school mathematics. I have taught in international, independent, private, and charter schools. I have developed curriculum that is problem-based, and I also have prepared students for the math portions of standardized exams. I have tutored university students pursuing degrees that have mathematics requirements.
