Student Orientation
Welcome to
Counting to
Calculus
You are about to begin a journey that will challenge you, sharpen your mind, and help you reach your full potential. This orientation will prepare you for what lies ahead.
Who We Are
Meet Amos the Math Guy
Amos Tarfa is a Medical Physicist, math and science curriculum writer, and the founder of Counting to Calculus. His mission is simple but profound: to provide high-quality math education that goes beyond test scores — education that forms the whole person and helps students flourish.
Grounded in a Christian worldview, we believe every student is made in the image of God and designed for greatness. We serve genuinely, speak truth, and walk alongside you on the path to your full potential.
Serve Genuinely
We are here because we care about your growth — not just your grade. Every session is an act of service.
Speak Truth
We will be honest with you about where you are and what it takes to get where you need to be. Truth is the foundation of real progress.
Help You Flourish
Our goal is your flourishing — as a student, as a thinker, and as a human being. Math is the vehicle, but formation is the destination.
Our Programs
What We Offer
Every program is designed to meet you where you are and take you where you need to go.
ACT Math Prep
Targeted preparation for the ACT Mathematics section. We build the speed, accuracy, and problem-solving strategies you need to hit your target score.
SAT Math Prep
Comprehensive SAT Math preparation covering both calculator and no-calculator sections. Master the concepts and strategies that the College Board tests.
10th Grade Tutoring
Strengthen your foundation in Geometry, Algebra II, and beyond. This is the year that sets the trajectory for your entire math future — we make sure it counts.
Small Group Sessions
Learn alongside peers in focused small groups. Collaboration sharpens thinking, and iron sharpens iron. You will push each other to be better.
What We Expect
The Standard Is High
We believe in you enough to demand your best. Here is what we expect from every student who walks through our doors.
Come Ready to Work
This is not passive learning. You will be challenged, stretched, and pushed beyond your comfort zone. That is where growth happens. We expect effort, not perfection.
Be On Time
Punctuality is a form of respect — for yourself, for your peers, and for your tutor. Arrive on time, settled, and ready to engage from the first minute.
Come Ready to Learn
Clear your mind before class. Leave distractions at the door. Mental preparation matters just as much as physical preparation. Show up present, not just physically there.
Ask Questions
Do not sit in confusion. If you do not understand something, speak up. There is no such thing as a dumb question here — only the question you were too afraid to ask.
Do Your Homework
Practice is non-negotiable. The work you do outside of sessions is where the real learning solidifies. Homework is not busywork — it is the bridge between understanding and mastery.
Respect the Environment
Respect your peers, your tutor, and yourself. This is a space dedicated to growth. We maintain a culture of encouragement, honesty, and mutual respect.
Commit to Growth
This is a journey, not a quick fix. There will be hard days. Trust the process, stay consistent, and keep showing up. The results will follow the effort.
Come Prepared
Bring Your
Tools
Every craftsman needs their tools. Every session, you must bring these three essentials. No exceptions. No excuses.
A Dedicated Notebook
Not loose paper. Not the back of a receipt. A real, dedicated notebook for your math work. This is your record of growth — treat it with respect.
A Pencil
For working problems. Pencils allow you to erase, rethink, and try again. Math is a process of refinement — your pencil is your primary tool.
A Pen
For taking notes and making corrections. When your tutor explains a concept, write it in pen. These are the insights you want to keep permanently.
Guard Your Mind
Sharpen Your Thinking
Math requires a sharp mind. What you do outside of class directly affects what you can do inside of class.
Read Books Outside of Class
Reading is not optional — it is essential. The greatest mathematicians throughout history were voracious readers. Euclid, Newton, Euler, Gauss — they did not just do math. They read widely, thought deeply, and connected ideas across disciplines.
Reading builds the very cognitive skills that math demands: sustained attention, logical reasoning, vocabulary for understanding word problems, and the ability to follow complex arguments. When you read, you train your brain to think.
"Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body." — Joseph Addison
Social Media Is
Ruining Your Mind
This is not an exaggeration. This is not us being old-fashioned. The research is clear and the evidence is overwhelming.
Limit Social Media Use
Excessive social media use is destroying your ability to focus, to think deeply, and to sustain attention on hard problems — which is exactly what math requires. Every minute you spend scrolling is a minute your brain is being trained to seek distraction instead of depth.
We need you to come to class with a sharp mind, not a scattered one. We need you to be able to sit with a hard problem for 10 minutes without reaching for your phone. We need you to be able to think.
Put the phone down. Pick up a book. Your future self will thank you.
Your Commitment
The Student Pledge
Read this pledge carefully. This is the standard you are agreeing to uphold as a Counting to Calculus student.
I will show up on time, prepared, and ready to learn.
I will bring my notebook, my pencil, and my pen to every session.
I will put in the work — in class and outside of class.
I will ask questions when I do not understand.
I will read books to sharpen my mind and expand my thinking.
I will limit my social media use and protect my ability to focus.
I will respect my peers, my tutor, and the learning environment.
I will not give up when things get hard — I will push through.
I will trust the process and commit to my own growth.
I am here to flourish, and I will do what it takes.
"I am ready to rise."
Before Your First Session
Preparation Checklist
Complete these steps before your first session. Click each item as you complete it.
Your Pre-Session Checklist
Questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before your first session.