A bit of a unicorn, honestly.
I spent over 20 years leading engineering teams at companies like Twitter, Amazon, and SurveyMonkey — then left to become a math teacher. I've been teaching math in SFUSD since 2019. I think math is beautiful, elegant, and incredibly fun, and I try to infect my students with that enthusiasm (to mixed results, but we're working on it).
I'm a 5th-generation Californian, mom of two, and proud nerd — Studio Ghibli, sci-fi, and yes, I take standardized tests for fun. My mother was an English teacher, so reading and writing have always been part of our family culture — I'm a devoted grammar enthusiast, Eats, Shoots & Leaves is a prized possession, and so is my compact OED. Twenty years in tech only deepened that: clear writing is how things actually get done in STEM, from a well-crafted PRD to a performance review that changes someone's career.
Subjects & services
Personalized sessions tailored to where your student is right now — and where they want to go.
Middle & High School Math
From filling foundational gaps to getting ready for calculus — I meet students where they are and build from there.
Standardized Test Prep
I love tests. (I know, I know.) I teach students to approach high-stakes exams with calm, strategy, and confidence.
Reading & Writing Support
Strong writing isn't just for English class — it's essential in STEM careers too. PRDs, tech specs, performance reviews, pitches: clear writing opens doors. I bring both a lifelong love of language (grammar nerd, proud owner of the compact OED, Eats, Shoots & Leaves is a favorite) and real professional experience communicating in high-stakes tech environments.
What makes our sessions different
I believe every student can be a "math person." It's not about talent — it's about the right explanation, at the right moment, delivered by someone who genuinely loves the subject.
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Deeply personalized instruction1:1 means I can tailor everything — pace, examples, connections — to what actually motivates your student.
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Real-world contextTwo decades in tech means I can show students exactly where math shows up in the real world — and why it matters for STEM careers.
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A partner to parentsI stay in close communication with families and invest in each student's success beyond the session.
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Familiarity with SFUSD curriculumYears teaching in SF public schools gives me real context for what students are working on and where they often hit walls.
"I want to give access and opportunity to lucrative STEM careers to students who aren't sure if they're a 'math person.' I want to help teenagers fall in love with math and reading and learning — just for the fun of it."
- 🎓 B.S. EECS, UC Berkeley
- 📜 Clear CA Credential in Secondary Mathematics
- 🔬 EnCorps STEM Teachers Fellow
- 📐 Training in Making Math Real (multi-sensory instruction)
What students & families say
Better than my math teacher at Lowell!
I really like playing Battles & Teamwork and Friends & Foes...I don't get my negatives and positives mixed up anymore.
Penny found books that my student really loved but that weren't being taught in his AP English class...because of her, my son was the only student in that class to pass the AP English Lit exam.
Simple, transparent pricing
I offer flexible session lengths to fit your student's schedule and goals.
Ready to get started?
Initial conversations are complimentary and low-pressure. I'm happy to answer questions and talk through your student's needs.
Penny Campbell Loftesness
Math tutor · Test prep · San Francisco Bay Area
Send me a messageAvailable for remote sessions via Zoom, and in-person at a mutually convenient location. Session rates and scheduling details available on request.