Meet Barry Hoffman
My name is Barry Hoffman and I am a 6th grade math educator. As of September 2023 I am in my 23rd year teaching 6th grade math at Weber Middle School (Yellow house) in Port Washington, New York. If you want to see all of the Weber houses I worked at over the 23 years, click HERE.
I am the creator and developer of Hoffkids.com; known as the most visited math classroom teacher’s website since 2003. Hoffkids is popular among students age 10 to 12, teachers, and families on Long Island and across the United States.
In 2021, I was once again awarded the distinction of “Highly Effective” educator by both the NYS Department of Education, and the outstanding Port Washington School District.
I was born on July 9, 1971 in NY. I attended Baldwin High School, went to the University of Rhode Island majoring in business, and then graduated Hofstra Universtity in 1999 with a Masters Degree in Elementary Education. I have 60 credits beyond this degree. I have a middle school advanced certificate for grades 7-9 which has prepared me for the rigors set forth for 6th graders in New York State. I am also a member of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.
In 1998, I student taught at Denton Avenue School in Herricks, then I became a 6th grade math/science leave replacement teacher at Locust Valley Middle School, and was a 6th grade teacher assistant at Clarke Middle School in East Meadow. It is here I found my passion for middle school math education. I was a lead presenter from 1999-2002 at the Sandy Cohen Family Math Day, where I created an original Math Magic presentation for 5th graders.

In 2000, I had the idea of creating Hoffkids.com as a website where my students could work with math anywhere and anytime they wanted. It would take another 3 years to fully develop this special math/science site.
In the same summer, I earned my first classroom position teaching 7th grade math at Island Trees Middle School where I met my future wife Alison; a guidance counselor. Having a goal of teaching 6th grade, in 2001, I left this position at year’s end to start teaching 6th grade math and science at Weber Middle School in Port Washington.
Needing a way to test out my math and technology ideas for whole class instruction, in 2002 I spent 100% of my teacher budget to purchase a projector. This would allow the Internet to be part of the student’s weekly experience. It is then I predicted that every classroom would one day have a projector and a computer on each desk. Now anything was possible in my classroom.
On February 25, 2003, Hoffkids.com was “born,” and supports its claim 20.5 years later to be the most visited classroom teacher’s website.
In 2005, I was one of the first classroom teachers in my school to be using the Smartnotebook software with my Wacom writing tablet before Smartboards were in classrooms. I used a Wii remote and a $20 infrared pen from China to have my students virtually writing on the classroom wall using all the Smartnotebook tools (without a real board). My students have led the way doing their math homework with their own virtual classroom so they can know if they are correct right away, and see answer videos made from me to learn from their homework. This saves valuable class time the next day.
Originating out of a need from parents, in 2013, I combined my extensive 6th grade math experience with my integration of technology, to create Hoffkids Online Math Tutoring. Hoffkids Online Math Tutoring has claimed its online niche as a winner being highly effective, warm, engaging, flexible, and truly innovative. My passion reflects how I truly love what I do in the classroom and with online learning.
My math background combined with my integration of technology, time spent preparing, and ability to relate to children ages 10-12, have attributed to my consistent student successes. My goals for working with students include; reducing math anxiety, raising their interest, increasing confidence, increasing critical thinking, and teaching the benefits of math strength. My expertise is in student motivation using technology to achieve maximum inner desire to learn. This leads to an increase in student confidence, math understanding, and performance.
As of Sept 2019, my 6th grade classroom teaching style transformed going “notebookless” while using “the most innovative educational application ever seen.” Classkick, combined with writing tablets and Chromebooks, led my class to be one of the first in America to use external writing tablets with Chromebooks to make the math classroom truly 100% engaging for all levels of kids.
I have been inspired by teachers in the United States who are not afraid to take chances and implement effective technology and math applications. Since 2001, I have worked with over 1,600 6th graders developing their math skills, confidence, and interest in math, with technology at every step. Despite this long history, there are always more effective techniques to learn, and the students and the school climate always changes. There is much more work to do.
I live on Long Island with my wife, daughter, and son. I enjoy road cycling with multiple Long Island clubs, playing tennis, computing, working on Hoffkids, tutoring math online, hanging out and just relaxing with my loving family. Thanks for reading and go out and ride!
