Math & SAT tutoring · Montclair, NJ
SAT and math tutoring from a certified teacher who scored 800 in math.
I’m Ted Shachtman, a Montclair native, Vanderbilt-trained teacher and former math department head. I work one-on-one with students from kindergarten through 12th grade, at your home, at a local library, or online.
What I teach
One-on-one help for the test, the class, or the habits behind both.
SAT & PSAT prep
Math and Reading & Writing, taught to the current digital test. We start with a full timed practice test, then spend our sessions on the question types that cost the most points.
Every few weeks we take another practice test, so you can see where the score stands.
- FormatDigital, on the College Board’s Bluebook app, since 2024
- AdaptiveHow a student does on the first module of a section sets the difficulty of the second
- CalculatorA Desmos graphing calculator is built in for all of Math, and we practice with it
- Scale200–800 per section, 400–1600 total
School math
From elementary arithmetic through high school courses. Homework help, test prep, and filling in the gaps that make the next unit hard.
Reading (K–5)
Support for young readers, drawing on my work teaching math and reading interventions at Lafayette Elementary in Chatham.
Coding & computer science
Python, JavaScript and building real apps. I was CTO of OnlyFarmers and built the entire app, so students learn how real software gets made.
Study skills
Planning, note-taking and memory strategies grounded in cognitive science, my undergraduate field alongside education.
How it works
Three steps to a plan.
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A free 20-minute call
Tell me about your student, the class or test, and your timeline. I’ll tell you honestly whether I’m the right fit.
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A starting point
For the SAT, a full timed practice test. For school subjects, a look at recent tests and homework.
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Weekly sessions
Usually 60 minutes, once or twice a week. After every session, parents get a short note on what we covered and what comes next.
About me
A Montclair kid who became a teacher.
I grew up here and graduated from Montclair High School in 2018. At Vanderbilt I studied elementary education and cognitive studies on a full-tuition merit scholarship, and I have been teaching ever since.
I’ve taught preschool, student-taught kindergarten and 4th grade, and taught high school math and science one-on-one at Fusion Academy in Montclair, where I was promoted to head the math department. I’ve also taught math and reading interventions at Lafayette Elementary in Chatham. Today I teach weekly Hebrew school classes in Montclair, now in my fourth year.
Most recently
CTO of OnlyFarmers
I was CTO of OnlyFarmers, the farm-experiences app from Lisa Hogan of Clarkson’s Farm. I built the whole app, led the team and ran the company day to day through its App Store launch in August 2026.
I’m also finishing a master’s in computer science at CU Boulder.
- New Jersey teaching certificate, Elementary K–6
- BS, Vanderbilt University, 2022, cum laude
- MS, Computer Science, University of Colorado Boulder, November 2026
Rates & scheduling
Simple hourly rates. The first call is free.
| SAT & PSAT prepMath and Reading & Writing | $125 / hr |
|---|---|
| School math, reading, coding, study skillsKindergarten through 12th grade | $100 / hr |
| Intro call20 minutes, by phone or video | Free |
Sessions are usually 60 minutes. Please give 24 hours’ notice to cancel or reschedule.
Where
At your home in Montclair, Upper Montclair, Glen Ridge, Verona, Cedar Grove or Bloomfield; at a local library; or online over video from anywhere.
When
- Mon, TueAfternoons and evenings
- WedEvenings
- Thu, FriAfternoons and evenings
- Sat, SunAfternoons
Questions
What parents usually ask.
When should my student start SAT prep?
A good window is two to four months before the test date, often in 10th or 11th grade after a PSAT score comes back. The practice test at the start shows how much time makes sense.
How will I know it’s working?
You’ll get a short note after every session. SAT students retake a full practice test every few weeks, and school-subject students bring in their graded work, so we can track progress with real numbers.
Do you teach younger kids too?
Yes. I trained as an elementary teacher and have taught kindergarten through 5th grade in public schools and Hebrew school. Sessions for younger students can be shorter and more hands-on.
Can sessions be online?
Yes. Online sessions use video with a shared whiteboard, and they work well for SAT prep and coding. You can also mix in-person and online weeks.