From Calculators to Confidence: Transforming Math Learning with Darren Finnigan

In this episode of Innovating Education, Dr. Riley Williams sits down with Darren Finnegan, mathematics educator, entrepreneur, and founder of TutorMyMath.com, to talk about transforming math from a source of anxiety into a space for confidence and curiosity. Darren shares his journey from struggling with math and relying on a calculator to earning a master’s degree in mathematics and building a business dedicated to helping students rewrite their own math stories.​Together, they challenge the myth that only some people are “math people” and unpack how creativity, curiosity, and personalized learning can change the way students experience math. Darren also shares classroom- and tutoring-tested strategies that move beyond rote memorization, helping learners develop deep understanding, real-world problem-solving skills, and a healthier relationship with challenge.​Key takeaways:How Darren went from math anxiety to advanced study and entrepreneurship in mathematics.Why the “math person” label is harmful—and how mindset and language shape students’ beliefs about their abilities.​Ways creativity, curiosity, and personalized instruction can make math more engaging and accessible.Practical teaching and tutoring approaches that move beyond memorization toward true conceptual understanding.How building confidence and small wins can help students face math with less fear and more resilience.This episode features a founder discussing their own organization; inclusion is for informational purposes and is not a paid promotion.