Changing The Equation: How “Tutor With Joshua” Is Helping Kids Improve Their Grades And Their Confidence

LA PLATA, Md. — When a child says “I’m just not good at math,” it can stick with them for years. Joshua Williamson is working to change that narrative across Southern Maryland.

Williamson, a former chemist and member of the high-IQ society Mensa, has more than a decade of tutoring experience. He teaches math and science from third grade up to the university level, as well as test prep — one of the few tutors in the region that specializes in more advanced learning in those subject areas, and believes every student has the ability to reach their goals.

“For most people, the instant they can’t do something, they feel like they’ll never do that thing. That’s just not true. I try to emphasize that getting things wrong is an important part of life. Knowing how to figure out what you did, where that mistake lies, how to fix that mistake, that’s what matters,” Williamson said.

And the results, like math, can be quantified and proven. Williamson’s students report that their grades improve two to three letter grades after working with him. Some students have even changed their failing grades to C’s and B’s. He’s also working with a student who, so far, has improved his SAT practice score from a 780 to a 1270 in just one and a half months.

Part of what makes Williamson so successful is his flexibility. He says there are dozens of ways to learn something, and every student might take a different path. His job is to find that path and teach the student in the way that makes the most sense to them — even if it means unlocking new methods or techniques.

That individualized approach allows Williamson to focus on the whole student. For him, academic improvement is about more than worksheets and repetition. It is about building confidence, creating a healthier relationship with learning and helping students rethink what failure means.

While he never personally struggled in school, Williamson experienced other “failures” as the child of a military parent who spent most of his childhood in the U.K. When he came back to the U.S. for college, he was desperate to find some kind of belonging and sense of purpose. It ultimately led him to tutoring — a job he continued doing even after he found full-time work as a chemist. Now, after years of tutoring and substitute teaching, he has fully committed himself to helping students reach their potential through tutoring.

Since launching his own tutoring business in 2023, he’s worked with more than 100 students in person and online in Maryland and Northern Virginia, and remotely across the country. He took his business full time in pursuit of the moments that first drew him to the work: the breakthroughs, the confidence shifts and the unmistakable “aha” moments.

“It’s never that they can’t do the thing,” Williamson added. “It’s that they don’t respond well to the way they are learning it at that time. So, I take that and say, let’s find a way that works for them instead.”

Williamson believes that his background in science is exactly what makes those breakthroughs possible. When you work in science, you can’t be afraid to be wrong. Helping students reframe their ideas about learning is what makes the difference between understanding the material and getting stuck in those “I’m just not good at math” ruts.

When tutoring begins, Williamson uses an assessment to understand the students’ skills and their learning style. It’s not just about skills, but figuring out the best strategies to set them up for long-term success. For advanced students, this may be a creative approach to complex math equations. For his elementary schoolers, it might be as simple as teaching them how to focus through a rewards system.

“I’m a big proponent of there’s not one way to learn something or do something. There’s not one way to get from point A to point B. There’s 20 different ways,” Williamson said. “I think what makes tutoring with me different than larger programs is we stay fluid, we pivot. And we focus on supporting the students above anything else.”

And parents love his methods just as much as students. They report better grades, less stress and more confidence in their kids. Parents praised Williamson’s ability to explain the material, but many called out his willingness to make time for his students, whether it was adjusting their session time or answering anxious phone calls before important tests.

Students today face unique challenges and pressure. Joshua Williamson’s Tutor With Joshua is working to make each student’s goals attainable with care, patience and with individualized support. This is what learning is about — and he’s tackling it one equation at a time.

Tutor With Joshua is accepting new clients. Williamson is available Monday through Sunday, both in person and online, and offers flexible packages and bookings to help families feel empowered to take tutoring into their own hands.

Additionally, Tutor With Joshua offers sliding scale payment options to help families afford tutoring services. Unlike large tutoring centers or services, Tutor With Joshua is a personalized experience, from scheduling to teaching to customer service. Williamson hopes to build relationships with families in his journey to becoming the top math, science and test prep tutor in Southern Maryland.

All new clients receive a 20% off discount, and packages and special offers become available throughout the year. You can read more about services, book your first appointment or consultation online, and reach out to tutorwithjoshua@gmail.com or 301-278-2562.

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