“I keep getting my numbers wrong.”
That’s what my son Henry scrawled across his “I Have a Dream” poster in 2nd grade. While his classmates imagined Stanley Cup victories and future veterinary clinics, Henry’s dream was simply not to get math wrong. As a mom, it broke my heart—and if I’m honest, I didn’t know what to do. I’d learned all about dyslexia, but I had never heard of dyscalculia. The idea that one of my kids might have another “dys” was overwhelming.
Like many parents, I turned to private tutors. Henry sat through countless worksheets and re‑taught lessons. He could mimic the steps well enough to pass a test, but he never understood math in a deep, meaningful way. He kept working with tutors throughout college.
Those experiences planted a seed. I wanted The 20% Club(TM) to offer math remediation—something beyond a review of the day’s lesson. I wanted a program that made math real and tangible, especially for kids like Henry.
Enter Ms. Joan. After 25 years in the classroom and extensive Orton‑Gillingham training, she reached out about tutoring with us. During our conversation, she asked, “Have you ever considered math?” That was the start of a months‑long search.
We spoke with educators across the country, tested curricula, and watched demos. We were looking for a program that would engage students virtually but still allow them to work with real objects,not just screens.
We found it right here in the Upper Midwest: RightStart™ Math. Created by Dr. Joan A. Cotter, a former Montessori teacher with a doctorate in math education, this curriculum uses manipulatives in every lesson so children see how numbers work. Instead of endless worksheets, students practice through verbal responses and math card games. They learn strategies that build number sense rather than rote memorization, and lessons are short and build step‑by‑step. The program’s two‑sided Cotter Abacus and place‑value cards bring numbers to life, making math both kinesthetic and visual.
What makes it even more exciting for our families is that this approach works beautifully online. Every student receives the same manipulatives our tutors use, so even in a virtual session, everyone’s hands are on the same tools. Parents can peek in and see their child’s progress, and there’s no commuting or weather cancellations.
If your child has ever said, “I keep getting my numbers wrong,” there is hope. Our new 50‑minute sessions, offered at least twice per week, are designed to build confidence that lasts long after the next test.
Ready for remediation that sticks? Email evelyn@the20percentclub.com or call 651‑245‑2858 to schedule a free assessment.
