I was born in 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.

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. 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 science and math anywhere and anytime they wanted. It would take another 3 years to fully develop this special online environment.

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.. Having a goal of teaching 6th grade, in 2001, I left this position at year’s end to start teaching 6th grade science and math at Weber Middle School in Port Washington.

Needing a way to test out my educational and technology ideas for whole class instruction, in 2002 I spent 100% of my teacher budget to purchase a classroom 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 23.5 years later to be  one of the most visited classroom teacher’s website.

In 2005, I was one of the first classroom teachers in my school to be using the Smart Notebook 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 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. 

My math and science 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; increasing science knowledge, raising their interest, increasing confidence, preparation for higher level science studies, and real world science applications. My expertise is in student motivation to achieve maximum inner desire to learn. This leads to an increase in student confidence, science understanding, and performance.

As of Sept 2019, my 6th grade classroom teaching style transformed going to a Digital Notebook while using “the most innovative educational application ever seen.” Classkick, currently allowing the ability to freely have students write on their Chromebook screens, led my class to be one of the first in America to use external writing tablets with Chromebooks to make the math/science classroom truly 100% engaging and truly differentiated 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 applications. Since 2001, I have worked with over 2,000 6th graders developing their math/science skills, confidence, and interest in math/science, 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. 

I live on Long Island with my wife, daughter, and son. I enjoy road cycling with multiple Long Island clubs, playing tennis, hanging out, and just relaxing with my loving family. Thanks for reading; now go out and ride!