About Us
Valeria Ramirez, M.ed
Meet the Educator Behind Math Coaching Lab
Math Coaching Lab was created by Valeria Ramirez, a D.C.- and Virginia-licensed elementary educator with seven years of classroom teaching experience and a passion for helping children become stronger, more confident mathematical thinkers.
- Education & Experience
Experience That Goes Beyond the Worksheet
Valeria completed her Elementary Education program at George Washington University and is licensed to teach in both Virginia and Washington, D.C. She also studied Psychology at George Mason University, a background that continues to shape the way she thinks about learning, motivation, confidence, persistence, and how children respond when something feels challenging.
Across seven years in elementary education, Valeria has focused on creating mathematics instruction that helps students do more than arrive at the correct answer. Students are encouraged to make sense of concepts, communicate their reasoning, learn from mistakes, and develop strategies they can use independently.
- Demonstrated Student Growth
Focused Instruction Can Change What Students Believe Is Possible
In one classroom teaching setting, student mathematics proficiency grew from below 39% to above 80%—an increase of more than 41 percentage points.
That experience reinforced an important belief behind Math Coaching Lab: when students receive intentional instruction, meaningful practice, opportunities to explain their thinking, and support through productive struggle, both achievement and confidence can grow.
Developer note: Present this as a classroom teaching outcome from Valeria's professional experience. Do not imply that this result was produced by Math Coaching Lab or guarantee similar outcomes for individual students.
- Where Learning & Human Behavior Meet
Math Skills Matter. How Students See Themselves as Mathematicians Matters, Too.
Valeria’s background in psychology complements her work as an educator by bringing additional attention to the human side of learning—how students approach challenges, respond to mistakes, communicate their thinking, develop persistence, and build confidence.
At Math Coaching Lab, academic growth is not viewed simply as getting more answers correct. Students are supported in strengthening the learning behaviors that help them become more independent problem solvers: thinking before giving up, trying another strategy, explaining an idea, asking a meaningful question, and recognizing that mistakes can be part of learning.
This combination of elementary teaching experience and an understanding of human behavior helps shape an environment where students can strengthen both their mathematical skills and their confidence as learners.
- Our Purpose
What Guides Math Coaching Lab
- Why Math Coaching Lab
More Time to Think. More Space to Participate. More Opportunity to Grow.
In a traditional classroom, teachers balance the needs of many learners at once. Math Coaching Lab was
created to provide something intentionally different: a small-group setting where elementary students have
more opportunities to participate, ask questions, practice important skills, explain their reasoning, and
receive targeted teacher support.
The goal is not to replace classroom instruction or simply complete homework. It is to give students
additional space to support, strengthen, and extend their mathematical learning.
- Teaching Philosophy
Confidence Comes From Understanding
Math Coaching Lab is grounded in the belief that lasting confidence grows when students begin to
understand what they are doing and why it works.
Students are encouraged to understand, practice, think, communicate, and grow. Whether a child needs
reinforcement, more time with a concept, stronger foundational skills, greater confidence, or opportunities to
extend their thinking, the goal is to meet the student where they are and help them move forward.
- Closing Section
A Small-Group Environment Built for Growing Mathematicians
Math Coaching Lab welcomes students in Grades 3–5 with different strengths, experiences, backgrounds, and learning needs. A child does not have to be struggling in math to benefit. The program is designed for students who are ready to strengthen skills, deepen understanding, build confidence, and become more thoughtful, independent problem solvers.