What Who Booking Testimonials Contact

Tutoring

I specialize in three types of students who need more than standard tutoring.

  1. Gifted kids who need to go deep The deepest, most interesting mathematical ideas emerge when you slow down and dig in. I help kids who are bored in class and ready to go deeper, uncover the real structure of math, and develop the habits of mind that lead to powerful mathematical thinking. There is a deep well of mathematics to explore in every corner of the field. You’re learning about place value? Cool. Let’s do that in different base number systems. You can multiply in base 7? Cool. How about base 1.5? What does that even mean? Let’s explore together with joy. You don’t need calculus in third grade—you need an environment where you can think, explore, and follow your curiosity to its furthest edge. Some of the most fascinating problems in math can be explored using nothing more than arithmetic, and some of them remain unsolved—cracking one could win you a Fields Medal.

  2. Adults who grew up believing they “weren’t math people” and want to break that cycle. Maybe you’re taking a class, switching careers, or just starting to suspect that the way you learned math wasn’t the only way. If you grew up feeling like math was an arbitrary set of rules, I can show you what was missing—the beauty, the clarity, and the logic that makes it all make sense. I especially love working with parents who want to break the cycle of math trauma and create a different experience for their kids. When you understand math conceptually, you can teach it with confidence, and your kids can thrive where you once struggled.

  3. Students who are realizing that memorizing steps isn’t working. If you’ve been getting by in math by memorizing formulas and procedures, you’ve probably hit a wall. That wall might be algebra, calculus, or AP physics—but it’s the same problem underneath. Without understanding, there’s no foundation to build on. When we work together, we’ll strip away the meaningless memorization and rebuild your understanding from the ground up. You’ll know why things work, not just what to do, and you’ll finally feel like math makes sense.

Live Kiersted

Live Kiersted headshot

I’m Live Kiersted, and I’ve been helping people understand math and physics for 20 years. I graduated magna cum laude from Brown University with a degree in physics, and I built a career around making complex ideas clear, approachable, and deeply satisfying to learn.

My understanding of trauma and learning transformed my approach to math and physics education. As a teacher, I designed and led a trauma-informed, heterogeneously grouped algebra class where there was no limit to how deep each student could go. I understand that math trauma is real, and educators neglect it at our peril. Nervous system regulation is a prerequisite for learning—when students feel safe, supported, and confident, they can unlock their full potential.

I specialize in working with three types of learners:

  • Gifted students who need a deeper mathematical well to draw from, rather than just being rushed ahead to more advanced coursework.
  • Adults overcoming math trauma, especially parents who want to support their children in a way they were never supported themselves.
  • Frustrated students who are hitting the limits of meaningless memorization and are ready to build true understanding.

My approach is clear, direct, and deeply supportive. I will meet you where you are and guide you toward mastery with zero wasted effort—just deep, meaningful learning that finally makes sense.

Testimonials

“Live is incredible”

- client