All Emails

Below are some of the emails I've received from people who found and used my youtube videos. These are in chronological order.

11/2/09 from Mark

Julie,

I am in the midst of an Algebra class in college and we just completed the factoring chapter and boy was I struggling. We had an upcoming test that was looming over my head and I did some Google searching, came uponyourmathgal.com site and YouTube videos. I watched and re-watched, paused and un-paused your videos on the topic and I am happy to say I got an A on the test!

I wanted to give you a big thank you for your efforts in making these videos, publishing them to the Internet and making them accessible! They are a big help and I have rated each one I watched. Thank you, I have book marked your site yourmathgal.com and will certainly coming back many times to watch your videos.

Regards,

Mark

5/20/10 from Wendy H, counselor at MCC

Hi Julie,

I just wanted you to know how helpful your videos are for our students. My student told me how your videos have helped many of her friends to pass their math courses as well as prepare for the assessment test.

Thanks for your work and effort to help all students understand math!

6/13/10 from Jennifer M.

Hi Professor Harland,

You don’t know me, I am a student at MiraCosta and just wanted to say thank you so much for posting all of those videos on youtube.  I have been at MCC for a while and the only thing between me and my AA is math.  I have not had any math classes since high school (a long time ago) and didn’t do too well even then.  I procrastinated in taking the math assessment because I was nervous about failing it and having to start from the beginning, so my counselor recommended your website and videos.  I have been watching & studying them since last fall and a couple of months ago I took the Elementary Algebra assessment and passed!  Now, I am reviewing more of your videos so I can take the Intermediate Algebra assessment and hopefully pass it as well!  I have recommended your videos to everyone I know who is either taking math, worried about taking math, or have kids taking math.  So far anyone I know that has watched your videos said how helpful they are.

A funny story, this morning I was looking to see if you had videos on Complex Numbers because I am on that portion of the practice test that I bought from the MCC bookstore.  I didn’t see any videos so I stopped working for a while and when I just now came back, I found your whole section.  I thought maybe I had missed it before, but then I noticed that you just posted the videos today.  It’s like you were reading my mind!  LOL!

Thanks again for taking the time to create and post these videos.  I am doing math problems I don’t even remember learning and for the most part I am getting the answers right!  Oh, and I know all the words to the Quadratic Formula song now too  :o)

Have a wonderful day!

Jennifer Montgomery

Follow up letter to me on 6/22/10:

Hi Professor Harland!

I just wanted to let you know that…I did it!!!!  I took the assessment this morning and I passed!  Now I can take my stat class for Sociology without having to take any other classes beforehand.  It’s all thanks to you!  

So, if I haven’t said it enough already…THANK YOU!  THANK YOU!  THANK YOU!

Jennifer

8/17/10 from Margie L, counselor at MiraCosta College

Hi Julie,

I just saw a student who had last seen me last fall (2009) and apparently I had recommended your youtube videos at that time.  The student just raved about the videos and said they were extremely helpful and would not have been able to be in transfer level math now without those videos.  It’s always encouraging to hear nice things said about one, and I thought you might want to know!  J

You go, girl - good job!

m ;-)

9/30/10 from Shegemi G

Hello, Julie.

Please allow me to send you an email, I just want to say big "Thank you" for your math video.

I passed the math placement test in August and I finally graduated from MiraCosta College after 16 years.

It was your video that taught me math in a perfect way for the first time and it was you made me feel that I can do it and math is fun! just like you whispered in your videos.

I was an international student at MiraCosta 16 years ago.  I took all requirements credits and, I got my AA degree in the US....I thought.  I worked in LA for a while and went to back Japan, my country.

16 years later, my marriage to the wonderful guy from the US took me back here in 2004.  I had a great opportunity to get a better job in 2009.  I went through three interviews of the biggest company that everyone knows and the perfect position with the great salary was about to give to me after the background check... I could not get it because I was not graduated officially from MiraCosta because my math placement test result was not satisfactory!

Thanks to Mia at MiraCosta, one year later from my first inquiry regarding my status of graduation, I found out that I can take a test at a test service facility in CT.  I didn't have to fly back in California, which was a good news.  However, my biggest concern was to study math.  I was a good student at MiraCosta as well as my college in Japan, however, math was my only weakness for the whole entire life.  I had never had grade C and summer school for math supplement class was my routine every year.  Plus, it has been more than a decade since I left school.  And my brain is degrading! I will be 40 soon!

However, I need to pass this test to get a degree from MiraCosta.  I asked my husband whose major was physics and loves math so much to be my tutor.  I asked my friend to teach me.  I bought textbooks in English, or even in my first language.  They all did not work well because I already had such a low self-esteem to math and no confidence.  Just thinking that I have to study math....it gave me tear in my eyes and bad memories in my childhood came back to me.  I thought I was just stupid.

August 9th was the test day that I arranged; one day before my birthday.  I did do it on purpose to give myself some pressure.  After I noticed my test day to MiraCosta, Mia introduced me your video on youtube.  I was not interested in studying with video at all, but that was the last one I could count on.  In this way, nobody sees me crying over easy math problems that everyone can solve... 

To make the long story short... I passed the test on the first!  I got enough score more than the requirement and it was my best math score ever in my life.  My sisters in Japan could not believe that I passed it.  My husband was very happy to know that I started liking math as he does.  Now I think math is fun!  Nobody taught me math like you did when I was a student.  Some regrets are here in my heart and I still cannot stop thinking what if I knew I could have fun with math when I was younger.  My life might have been better?

I am a patent paralegal.  Having a science background is always plus to this field and now I started thinking about it.  If I did not meet you and your video, I did not have such an idea to go back to school.  Most of all, you gave me a big confidence that I can do it and proved that I was not stupid!

Thank you very very much, Julie.  You changed my life.  I will keep studying math for fun.

Sincerely yours,

Shigemi Garbo

West Hartford, CT

9/26/10 from Dave Quillopo

Hello ma'am! 

I'd like to thank you for the free math video lessons that you've created. And thank you for making them accessible to everyone. God Bless you always and stay cool

10/21/10 from Bashar Omar

Hello Miss Harland,

I wanted to take the time to thank you for all the time and effort that you put in your videos on line, I have a teacher at FIU, who hardly speaks any English, and everyone is having a hard time understanding the class, I found your videos by accident on you tube, and since then I have been hooked, you are the only help I found, and since then I have told all my colleges about your web site, and they are all thankful, thank you a million times and God bliss you. 

Remember that, “The great part of every recession is that IT ENDS!" 

Bashar Omar 

10/23/10 Letter from Vickie Long, Math Department Chair, Indiana

Ms. Harland,

As an Algebra 2 teacher, I love your videos! I teach Algebra 2 as a dual credit college course. The course is quick paced and rigorous and frequently my students get confused on certain skills and concepts and need to be able to see the math worked again. In your videos, you show several methods for attacking problems. I don't always have time in a class period to perform this miracle.

I experimented with my classes showing your video on Factoring by Grouping to one class and did direct instruction for another class. The class with direct instruction performed the task exactly as I demonstrated it, but the students who watched your video were glued to the video and were regrouping and thinking outside the box as they did their independent practice. Hmmmmmm...

Which leads to my question, our school has a proxy that blocks too much. My goal is to create a website where student can access your vidoes both at school with netbooks or at home when they need extra help. I know the videos are available to anyone on the internet, but I still wanted to ask, is it permissible for me to download your videos to a storage area so that students can access those videos from my website?

Thanks for your time in reading this email (I love math too).

Vickie Long

Math Department Chair

Connersville High School

Connersville, Indiana

11/5/10 from Billie P

thank you so much..................and again....................thank you so very much............you web

 site has gotten me out of the dog house with some

math............when ever i get stuck.............i go to

you..............and i praise you and i suggest you to fellow

students.........i have been using your site now for about a

year...........its funny...........you little words you say at the

begining of a video....."math is kool and you can do

it"..........sometimes thats my only hope for passing this.  my son is

a high school math teacher in arizona........i live in michigan and we

live to far apart to sit down and work

together..............again................thank you

11/9/10 from Ralph Howard

Dear Mrs. Harland,

     Thank you, for the excellent math video presentations you produce. I gleam from them on a weekly basis.

     You have an awesome website showing some insight to your family and life.

That is true bridging.

     I have an algebra connection situation.

     When it’s written, i.e.

1) one plus one equals two,

2) 1 + 1 = 2,

3) an apple ana pear yields two fruits, unless it's an apple ana pair then it's three fruits

4) three times four equals somewhere between eleven and thirteen,

5) 3 X 4 = 12 okay / enough. Y'all probably got the point.

That's all fully acceptable. I concur with that as well as relate to all of that, however: my problem comes with relationships and connectivity to the rules and formula's specificity, example:

1)a + b = a & b,

2)y + z = y & z,

3) y•z = yz

4) a/b + c =

     Can I remember these formulas? Uh

-huh. Oh yeah. Can I recollect the symbolism or variable. Sure enough. However, if the there is any variation from the example then I am oblivious as to what to do.

     If I were to summarize it all up, I would say 'I don't relate (tie) the formulas to the varying or is it variating problems. Sometimes (most of the time) it is difficult for me to see the formula in a problem. Thus, the inability to work'em out.

     Sometimes it's as easy as 1 + 1 = 2 or in algebra: a + b = c as long as the formula matches the equation explicitly, piece for piece; I'm at peace, (not adding any extra numbers or powers or indexes or roots), then I don't have any troubles.

     Have I been singing along with you time after time and wearing-you-out-to-a-frazzle? Duh. Probably so. Like yeah. Helloooo? I am not able to sing as good as you, but definitely with you. You probably sing by notes, I only sing by let'er That is, I open my mouth and let'er fly. However; now I can sing it without looking at the words and by myself. KooooooooooooL 

 :) Can you read my lips? Seeeeeeee I have all the words that cha taught me. Aren't chu just as proud as a peacock? If not y'outta be. You're good.

     Thank you, for your free (and I know it costs you, time and money) videos. I sincerely appreciate them very much. Your videos are quite instrumental in my understanding of a multitude of intermediate (high school level) algebra problems, thank you, again.

     Do you know what a mermaid wears under her blouse? She wears an alge-bra.

     Okay. I have taken enuff-a-yer-thyme. I'm gonna split the scene for now. Write me if you will. Write me if you can squeeeeezzze it into your schedule and around your family time.

Thank you, for your time at this time, until next time, I bid you a Dew. (a Mountain Dew)

Ralph E. Howard, GRI, AB, R.

11/11/10 from William R Warner

PRAISE THE LORD FOR YOUR WISDOM IN MATH

I AM SO GLAD I FOUND YOU, I AM 62 YEARS OLD AND ATTEND SOUTHWEST COMMUNITY COLLEGE WITH A DESIRE TO GO TO A UNIVERSITY. THANK YOU AND MAY GOD CONTINUE TO USE YOU IN THIS WAY. I WAS HAVING PROBLEMS, BUT NOW I BELIEVE I CAN MAKE IT WITH YOUR VIDEOS.

AGAIN, I WANT TO THANK YOU, WILLIAM R. WARNER, SR.

LOS ANGELES, CA.

11/17/10 from Sue Simmons in Ohio

Good afternoon,

My name is Sue Simmons and I am currently taking college Alegbra.    Outside of adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing, math is not my strength.  When I took Alegbra 1, I earned a B and was quite surprised.  My instructor was very clear and offered resources for improvement and building a better grade in the course.  However, I am struggling with Alegbra 2.  The current instructor is not very skilled at transferring his knowledge.  Many class members have complained to the counselors regarding this.  However, with my son's help (he has a master's degree in math) and your videos, I'm getting through it.  You certaintly have a gift and can transfer knowledge is a clear and concise manner.  I am convinced that a Martian could follow your lead.  Thanks for posting your videos on U-Tube, your modules are very informative and helpful, and I'll pass the word to others who may need more attention and enrichment.

Sincerely,

Sue Simmons

Cincinnati, Ohio

12/7/10 from Adam in Canada

Hi there,

(I don't have a youtube account, or I would have just posted something under one of your lessons . . )  I just wanted to say thanks for making all of these wonderful math-help videos.  I'm a Canadian graduate student in the process of applying to Ph.D programs in the U.S., so I'm currently studying for the GRE.  I've been using your website a lot lately; it's proven extremely useful in removing some of those mental cobwebs that have set in since high school math, so many years ago.

All best and keep up the great work!

Adam

3/17/11 from Georgina in Jersey City

Good afternoon!

I'm writting to let you know that your videos has brought so much clarity for me. I'm have take two classes for a GRE test and I still don't feel ready. You videos are great and I so appreciate that you have them available.

Georgina Torres

2/26/11 from Joanne C

Thanks very much. I can tell you that Mathgal is my best friend!! I'm a babyboomers trying to finish my degree (got sidetracked) and your videos are the best out there! You make it logical and simple and yes, COOL!! Thanks again. Joanne C.

4/11/11 from Eric

Thank you so much for doing these videos and allowing me to view them.  I have been out of school for 25 years and just started back to finish an Aeronautics degree, our professor is great at math but a terrible teacher, merely writing problems on the white board--big deal, I can do that, but what does it mean?  You bring it out into meaning.  I have been watching your videos for about 13 weeks and now grasping the concepts in time for the finals this week.  THANK YOU!

Eric

4/12/11 from Linda M

Dear Mrs. Harland,

Thank you so much for making your videos available to anyone!  I've been taking

beginning algebra at LBCC and have been doing great. I know I couldn't of done

as well if it were not for your videos. I would like to know if you will be

making intermediate algebra videos. I plan on taking it in the Fall semester.

You are a huge part of why I have been successful and I want to continue that

success with your help.

Thank you,

Linda Macias

4/19/11 from May in Michigan

Mrs. Harland,

I just wanted to thank you so so much. I have been taking Math xxx over in Michigan, and my teacher is very nice, but has a very thick accent. It is almost impossible to understand him at all. He also goes through the book at warp speed and we are unable to process it in class.  So after class each day I go on Youtube and watch your videos corresponding to what we went over and so far I have an A in the class. That is saying a lot as I never went to high school and learned how to do algebra last year for my GED. Now I am gearing up for trig over the summer.

Thank you again for your videos. It is so nice that you would take the time to do so many and post them for all to learn. You make it so much easier than it ever could be. 

Best,

May

4/30/11 from Jacque

Hello Mathgal,

In my search for answers to my math problems, I found you on YouTube.  You were so clear and understandable.  You actually make math easy the way you write problems out and explain step by step how it is solved.

THANK YOU SO MUCH for making it available free of charge!!  Prior to finding your website, I found a few others, but it was costly and so I was not able to take advantage of its value.

Now, I can help my children and feel confident!!

Thank you once again and have a wonderful day.

Jacque

4/30/11 and 3/2/11 from A Scott (several other messages were sent to me on youtube)

3/2/11

First of all...YOU ARE STILL #1. Had to get that out of the way. How have you been? In case you have forgotten, this is your friend from the Bahamas, although I'm no longer in the Bahamas, I'm in freezing and snow filled Connecticut. Anyway, since I spoke to you last, I have enrolled at a CC and was actually able to test into Intermediate Algebra. I'm having a ball with that, but I'm struggling a bit, since I really don't have a strong enough foundation. So right now, i'm simultaneously learning the class material, and learning the things I should already know up to this point. I have to tell you, I was moving along pretty good until I got to these adding rational expressions. For some reason, I just wasn't picking it up. So what did I do? What any other person in the know would do and that is check out your videos. I have to say Julie, in 3 short videos (roughly 30mins) I now have a feeling of what it must feel like to be blind and then see again. With a few helpful phrases and reminders, I'm actually aceing (sp?) these things.

I don't have to tell you, but math is really a beautiful subject, and I think it's a shame that more people don't understand that. It took me almost 45 years to realize it and now I feel like a new person (at the risk of sounding a bit corny). I'm studying every chance I get and that's definitely new for me. I need to personally thank you, because it was you who kind of got me over the "hill" when I was starting to get frustrated and contemplating letting this go. Just to refresh your memory, I was actually studying independently and you helped me out TREMENDOUSLY when I was struggling to grasp the Distance Rate Time equations. Anyway, I know you have better things to do than to read my 2000 word message so I hope all is going well, and once again, thanks for really teaching the concepts of math, and not just showing us how to solve a problem. My current professor is a knowledgeable guy, but he is just zipping through this material and not taking the time to teach. Perhaps that's how it is in College, I'm not sure, but I just wonder how many people leave uninspired after going through something like that. Anyway, enjoy your day and the upcoming weekend.

4/30/11

I know I'm starting to sound like a broken record here but you are really a great teacher. For some reason when my Professor goes over this it sounds like Japanese to me, but when you do it sounds like basic arithmetic...lol...Thing is though, I know my Professor knows what he is talking about and I don't consider him a "bad" teacher or anything, I just find the contrast to be strange.  Have a great weekend and thanks again.

5/5/11 from Bruce B

WITHOUT THE CALCULATOR!

I PASSED I PASSED I PASSED

If you are receiving this message it is because your contributions to the internet helped me pass an assessment test that was required for the career of a lifetime opportunity. I cannot tell you the company name, but I can say everybody in town wants to get inside this place and thanks to your assistance, I am one step closer. Last year I failed the test (NO CALCULATORS ALLOWED) because of heavy ratios, square roots, & algebra. For the past 12 months, I have obtained resources online, via emails, YouTube lessons, and a couple of text books. I cannot thank you all enough for providing your professional services that enabled me to jump this major hurdle in my life. My next hurdle is the interview, which should arrive within the next 12 months. THANK YOU SO MUCH :) The availability of your expertise was instrumental in me accomplishing this year long goal. Listed below are the individuals who contributed to my success. 

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

Sincerely Bruce Bailey 

Julie Harland, Math Professional: You Tube Online resources

5/12/11 from Caitlin

Ms. Harland:

Thank you for taking the time to post YouTube videos

with math lessons. This has been very helpful and I

have been getting 100 on my exams, with not

possibility for extra credit. And for this I can thank

you and a couple other independent math teachers

who have taken the time to post these wonderfully

helpful videos online for free.

Have a wonderful spring and summer!

Caitlin Maynard

Letter from Stacie, June 2011

Greetings, Math Gal!

Just wanted to say thank you so very much for producing these videos

that are helping me tremendously. You are really an amazing teacher.

Keep up the extraordinary work.

Stacie, Chicago (public school teacher brushing up on my algebra)

9/2/11 from Kami

Hi Julie,

I just wanted to tell you thank you for making all of those amazing videos.  I CANNOT begin to tell you how much you've helped me.  I'm going back to school after raising my children and I had forgotten almost everything.  Your videos are so great and have been a LIFESAVER for me!!

Thanks again!!

-Kami Hopkins

9/30/11 from Cassidy

Hi Julie,

I am taking math 96 and our teacher is kinda tough! I've been watching your videos to help! Just wanted to thank you! I've also given your site to some students in the class as well.

Thanks again

Cassidy

10/19/11 from Gabrielle

Thank you so much for your math videos.  I am a mom back to college and need to pass a math assessment.  Your videos have been so helpful to me! 

Gabrielle Davis

10/11/11 from Estevan

Hi mathgal:

I just want to thank you for posting this videos, they have been a tremendous help in my understanding of math. I want you to know that you have made a difference in my life. I'm a very timid person and I don't ask questions in class, I feel the same with a tutor. With you videos I learn with out the pressure of a teacher or a tutor. Thanks again for taking the time to post the videos. You voice is very reassuring and calm.

I hope that all the good you do is returned to you some how.

Estevan Gonzalez

12/11/11 from Nancy (my student in Fall 2011)

Just wanted to say thank you for doing all the work you did on your math videos.  I wish I knew about them earlier.   I went to a stress taking for math test workshop about 6 weeks ago and they really encouraged using you.   I spent a ton of time in the math lab and had used your information as a book mark.  I assumed 'yourmathgal' was some tutor and to be honest I hadn't had much luck with tutor.   Your videos are CLEAR and understanding and wanted you to know your hard work is appreciated.  

I'm 52 and going back to school to get my degree to teach elementary school.  I prefer kindergarten.   I have an AA and it's been so long that I have the AA that math wasn't even required because I took a Psychology class instead so . . . 

Thank you and I will continue to use you ~ I'm in Math 830.  Oh just so you know how helpful you are my math test scores were C,D, & F  well my last one one chapters 6 & 7 after reviewing LOTS of material in the book, reading the chapters and your videos ~ I received a B  I do believe that is my highest math score EVER in 52 years. 

Have an incredible day and giggle lots 

11/17/11 from Lorie

I just wanted to thank you for your Math videos… you have a great way of explaining the solutions to where I can understand. I’m in my mid-forties and went back to school and Math has been very challenging to me. It’s nice to have your videos to ‘go to’!

Thank you,

Lorie

12/16/11 from Tara in Indiana

I just wanted to say a quick, Thank you!  I just took my final exam today and passed with 100% along with my last 3 tests.  Your math videos have been a big help with my college math.  Again, Thank you and I look forward to more of your videos with my other classes to come.

Sincerely,

Tara-Indiana

1/6/12 from Reality

Good Afternoon,

I Just wanted to say thank you for posting your videos and making them available,  I was struggling with calculus and failed it previously.  This past semester I took again and I'am happy to say that I passed with a B and a large part of that is due to the videos that you posted,  you whispering you can do it at the start of the video made me laugh but it was motivating none the less.

Thank you again

2/10/12 from Bob G

Ms. Julie Harland,

   I have started my first semester of college this Spring, and I am taking Intermediate Algebra so that I can qualify to enter my school's Fine Arts program next semester, at which time I will be taking College Algebra. I have a good math professor, but the pace she keeps is pretty fast for my learning style. I keep wanting to "pause" her class until I "get" what she's teaching so I can move on. I don't get too flustered though because I know there are resources online that I can turn to when things get overwhelming.

   Your math videos are among my absolute favorites! I am currently learning to factor polynomials. Your teaching style is clear, well organized, articulate, and intelligent. Your smart and warm attitude as well as your genuine enthusiasm for what you're teaching is encouraging to me and doubtless to many, many others! Thank you for doing what you do and for being who you are! It is a blessing!!!

Sincerely,

Bob Greene

P.S. When the other students start wondering how I am consistently getting As, I will certainly tell them about www.yourmathgal.com! 

:)

2/13/12 from Susan Durkee

Dear Julie,

My name is Susan; I’m 51, and as a kid was a horrible math student forever (avoided it, failed it, hated it with all my heart).

Then a few years ago I started a school and over the years I have heard so many kids defining themselves as stupid or less than because they struggled academically and have devoted a lot of time and energy to helping them see themselves in a much finer light – that being academically skilled takes work and everyone can get there.

Recently, I heard yet another kid say “I’m so stupid!” and when I told her she wasn’t stupid, she said “that’s easy for you to say, because you’re really smart!”

So I made a deal with her: if she tried hard to meet her standards, I would take on math.

So, in front of the entire high school, at a community meeting, I did an on-line assessment – projected on a screen where everyone could see it - and bombed it in front of every kid.

Then I signed up to take math on line  - Algebra I.

It has been a real slog, but the best thing in the world was stumbling onto your web site.

You have gotten me through it time and again, and I appreciate so much what you do!!!!

I will finish and when I do, it will seriously be because of you.

So, thanks a million.

You are an exceptional teacher!!!!!

3/6/12 from Cheryl Ilienko

Hi Julie,

I was just studying using your videos and realized that you are the only reason I have done well in my pre calculus class. I am studying to be a vet, now that I am 26, and have to go back and take pre calculus so that I can take the appropriate sciences. Thank you so much for what you have done, you are truly a blessing.

Your friend from Canada,

Cheryl Ilienko- soon to be Doctor Ilienko :)

Her first email to me: Hi julie do you have any functionl notation videos? im struggling trying to figure this out and you make math so easy for me.

3/13/12 from Karl Grant

I'm a maths teacher in traning.

Hi Ms.Harland. My name is Karl Grant and I am sending this email to express my gratitude to you for the help that I have received from your videos. what you are doing is a noble act and a blessing. THANK YOU!!!!!!!!

3/23/12 from Daniel Holman

I am working on mixtures for the gmat and just wanted to say I love the way you do mixtures.  Your website is great! I am just starting on the value mixtures and it has helped me so much.  It seems in some books they way they do it there is more of a chance for error while your its a standard setup.  Also I like how you did one variable and then two. I have had a private tutor for the gmat math and you blow him out 1) By having a upbeat tone 2) By just being great at explaining. Your math we be a great guide to help me so thanks. My exam is on May 30 so I have many more hours to go on your site.  Thank you again and hope you and your family are doing well!

Daniel C Holman

3/25/12 from Gary

Dear Ms Harland,

I don’t know how to thank you for posting your videos on youtube. I am a fifty something artist/writer who recently returned to school for IT. I had no idea so much math would be required of me. Until this evening my middle name was: I hate Math.

It is almost a requirement for us multi-artistic types.

I stumbled upon your videos while researching radicals and square roots. I love how well you explain things. You speak at a pace that I can understand. Even though I have only stopped the video a few times, I have yet to feel lost in the middle of explaining an expression. I often feel this way in class.

At any rate, I find myself now interested in Math for the first time in my life. You said two things on your website that more or less nailed it for me. You said “math is fun” and that one can master it if you stick with it. Well, your videos are actually enjoyable to watch hence the fun and stick to it parts are built right into watching them. And I intend to watch all of them eventually.

I really don’t know how to thank you. Math is no longer the enemy nor boring. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Sincerely,

Gary O’Connor / ITT Tech student – Getzville NY

6/8/12

Hi Julie,

Just a quick note to let you know that your maths videos are absolutely

wonderful, and I shall be eternally grateful to you for explaining

everything so clearly and easy to understand. Why couldn't my maths

teachers be like you!.

Please please keep it up for the sake of maths-rejects like me.

Kind regards

7/13/12 from Shannon Lougee, Nashua, NH

Dear Mrs. Harland,

Thank you so much for your videos.  I am relearning algebra, after many years, along with my 13yo son and your videos are wonderful.  You are such a talented teacher and I am grateful that you create and post your videos as a free resource for all.

Best wishes to you!

Shannon Lougee

Nashua, NH

9/11/12 from Gabriel

Mrs. Harland, I'm in precalculus and without your videos, I wouldn't be surviving the class. I watch your videos when I get home from work or class (I'm 38yo, husband, father, returned student) and you basically teach me the math. After work, I'm tired and my mind is racing (night classes), and I just can't keep up in class. I get home and it's great. I have my own math instructor! You're clear, the pace is slow enough, and the steps are crisp. And it's all organized! And it's freeeeee!!

Thank you!!

10/1/12 from John

Dear Julie:

I am a 46 yr. old man, who has been away from college since 1988. I have returned to get another degree. If it were not for YOUR VIDEOS as "Math Gal", I could have never done so well on my Math Accuplacer test.

I am so very grateful to you for your huge generosity invested in putting all these things on line.

I am amazed at your work, and again, I am so so thankful to you.

By the way, I happen to enjoy those whispers very much!

Your videos are very engaging. You have been a life saver, and that is no exaggeration.

Blessings to you and your loved ones.

John

from the other side of the world, in MA.

11/12/12 from Ron

I want to thank you for helping me get through three Algebra courses at my Community College in Fl. I am 55, been out of school for nearly 40 years so it’s been tough, especially math. For some reason, I understand your explanation of the problems much better than what I was getting in class and online. Now, I will take College Algebra next semester. 

I suspect I am just one of thousands you are helping with your videos.

Again, Thank you!  

Ron Shuler

1/26/13 from Justin:

Dear Ms. Harland,

I was mesmerized with you math videos. I stumble upon them about two weeks ago. I took math classes in high school but I did not get much of it. But, when I watched your videos, I was so fascinated that I have been staying very late watching them. As I watch them,I have things going in my head like "should I had a math teacher like Julie, I would have become a mathematician". Your presentation, your voice and its tonality, the order of you illustrative and problem practice, your organization, to name a few, make everything about you attractive.

I  don't have word to express my feeling about your work, but I am enjoying it and learning a little bit of what I should have learned in high school. The only thing I can say is that you are the best.

Thank you very much.

Justin Gatebuke

Nashville, TN

2/7/13 from Ed C.

Hi Julie, I am 74. I will be 75 (if I make it) August 2nd. My formal education is very limited and I decided to try and broaden my knowledge of the world I live in, while I am still able to do so. I thank you for taking the time to produce such helpful math videos. Math was always a big insurmountable puzzle to me. I just didn't get it I try and do all the problems and go over the parts that I have trouble understanding. I am also looking at a U.S history videos by Joanne Freeman. She , like you, is   also a great teacher. I like to read, mostly mysteries and thrillers, but I will read anything that catches my interest. This technological era has passed me by. Computers, cell phones, ipads etc., are marvels for me to try and master. My son gave me this Macbook and between him and my grandson, I am slowly learning to use it. Since I a have been disabled for many years, this computer is  now my window to the world!!

I  am determined to master high school math and then get on to basic physics. I love music and I have been able to grow a few orchids in our spare bedroom. I would be ever so grateful for any suggestions you might share with me on mastering algebra and trigonometry.

 Be well and keep up  sharing your knowledge with us!!   Ed Cramer 

2/26/13 from Ryan R

Afternoon,

Had to email you after watching your instructional videos of distance word problem on youtube. These problems have been giving me problems on my last two Firefighter exams. The instruction is so easy to follow and following your instruction of watching the video first, and hen working out the problem is great. Its like having your own private tutor. Thank you so much Ill be taking my next test in LA and I feel way more comfortable with these types of questions. Have a great day!

Respectfully,

Ryan Ruz

Elk Grove, CA

8/24/13 from Vicki P

You are A true Math GODDESS! You should really teach the world math.  Every man, women, and child should take your course, or you can always teach math from heaven; then we can all learn it at once.  Enjoy your day!      Math Rocks

9/12/13 from Tom

Hi Ms. Harland, 

I'm the wacky guy in the green Honda Element on Calle Barcelona...

What I really, really wanted to say, was thank you! I so appreciate your teaching style and the gift of your wonderful video lessons, (including the not-so-subliminal messaging in the beginning and end of most).  And tho I said you saved my life, it's almost better than that. You told me I could do it. And, dang it!  You were right!  So, Thank You- -times infinity :) 

I'll be taking intermediate algebra online in the next 12 months and hope I can take your section at Miracosta to fulfill my AS degree requirements in Cardiovascular Technology at Grossmont College.

With tremendous gratitude, 

Tom 

11/17/13 from Boris

Hi Julie,

Thank you for in-depth videos it has been extremely helpful for my 15 yo son who unfortunately was lacking confidence and for me it brought up to speed for encouraging him.

He will be going onto Calculus next year and I've wondered do you do Calculus videos as your explanation is second to none!

Thank you kindly again with appreciation.

Cheers

Boris (Adelaide, Australia)

Happy X-mas and NY

11/24/13 from Xavier

Hello Ms. Harland,

I am a young college student and I just wanted to say thank you so much! Your website has been extremely useful in my journey to learn math. I am so lucky to have found you on youtube. I had been searching for a good math resource on the

internet since a math youtube channel that I had been using got deleted! I was so unhappy until I found yours. So again, I appreciate and admire you for putting free math lessons that are great!

Sincerely,

Xavier

11/25/13 from Jeff

Hello Julie ,

My name is Jeff Davis.I live in south Ms.I just wanted to thank you for the videos.I'm taking an online trig class and I was drowning in there all semester until I went to your site.The way you explain things turned a light on for me,and suddenly it all makes sense.THANK YOU<THANK YOU THANK YOU.I'm your #1 FAN

12/27/13 from Mary M To say thank you for all of your math videos from a fan in Miami, Florida

Hello Ms. Harland.  My name is Mary Marcos.  I am a 51-year old mother of two college students from Miami.  I went back to Miami Dade College in 2009 to get my paralegal studies degree and am now working on a bachelors at the University of Miami.  I just had to tell you how your videos helped me immensely with my intermediate algebra and college algebra classes over the last two years.  I discovered your videos in 2011 and wish I had discovered them earlier!I got A's in those classes and A's and B's on my tests, all with the help of your videos!  I have two binders dedicated to your videos, tabbed with the subject for quick reference.  I have become hooked on math!  I watch your videos in between semesters because I really want to get as far as I can.  I'm on the precalculus videos.  

I just want you to know how well you explain everything, and how much I and I am sure many others have learned from you.  Thank you so much for taking all of the time to make so many videos.  

Happy New Year!  Best regards.

1/24/14 from Tamielle:

Hello... I am in stats and I'm a struggling! I used your videos to get threw my last 2 math classes and I ended with a C and an A... You are amazing at what you do! I can not thank you enough for your awesome videos!!

3/4/14 from Rich

Hello Julie Harland,

     My name is Rich Varvir and I stumbled onto on of  your math videos while trying to help one of my twin daughters with her math homework. It was on solving a word problem with 2 variables. It was a huge help/success/happy ending.  Every now and the I need hep to review and refresh my brain and math solving skills. I shall now call your help videos and all supporting items, that you share, home for my math help. I love math more now then when in  school. I now tell my 3 girls that when they need help to go online for help and always always always have a piece of paper and a writing implement, pencil, with them . They then ask me for help and we work on these problems together. I love doing this work, far more than when I was in school. My previous coworkers called me rainman for my ability to do basic math in a hurry, in a real hurry. They would use calcs and I would have the answers. I do not know how i do it, i just can.

      But I do not have a handle on some of the higher math and with sites like yours and seeing how to solve problems, you make it so easy. I can't thank you enough for your help. Once i see the equations on how to solve or put together an attack on these problems I can help my kiddos. I really do love numbers and math. So with your help I am very happy right now.

     I thought I would write you because people such as yourself never get enough credit. So keep up the good work. Who knows, maybe I will take one of your math classes online.

Rich Varvir

3/11/14 from Stephanie

I had to write to you!  My son went from a small private middle school to a much larger public high school this year.  I thought he was doing fine in math, but I was in for a shock when he got into Algebra 1.  We tried a tutor, but he needed so much help with both learning pre-algebra and the new math lessons everyday that I realized I had to learn it myself for him to get all the help he needs.

I thank you from the bottom of my heart for putting your videos on You Tube!!  You explain so clearly that I have no trouble understanding how to do everything we have come across so far.  I was pretty desperate and frankly, hopeless that I could learn and actually help my son before I found you!  So thank you!!!

4/12/14 from Pam

Dear Julie,

    I am writing to thank you for all the videos on youtube. I am a middle aged woman enrolled in college for the first time. I am managing to get A's and B's in Algebra. I dont know how I could have done this without you! I spend hours watching your videos and just thought I would let you know what it means to me, math was never my thing, but you make it seem easier. You are a fabulous teacher!! Thank you, Sincerely Pam.

7/24/14 from Md Suhaile in Singapore

Dear Ms Harland, 

I'm a final year undergraduate in far off Singapore. I needed to revise my high school trigonometry in preparation for my upcoming module and so I thought to myself.."hmm I really want to understand it, and not just rote learn the formulae like I did in high school." To my utter despair, my journey to mastery of high school trig brought me through the dank, dark holes of arcane scholarship and abstruse commentary. So in a desperate bid I swallowed my misplaced pride and googled it. (I know I should have done that from the start but what can I say? I was being a prideful old soul). I came across your videos on trigonometry and, as you say, "VOILA!" I found yourmathgal.

It has done wonders. The lessons of old finally clicked for me. A massive massive thank you to you! I just wanted to share my joy and to let you know that as a teacher, you've impacted a -not so little- boy (not really, more like man) thousands of km..sorry miles away in a tiny little city called Singapore.

Warmest Regards.

Md Suhaile

p.s this is the only time i've been compelled to thank the creator of a video i watched on youtube. Trust me, I watch a lot of youtube. I don't even use the TV anymore. Cheers ;-)

3/21/15 from Steve in Australia

Hi Julie, I am 61 year old retiree living in Australia. I left school many years ago with a basic and elementary understanding of mathematics. I have been watching your videos and the methodology and approach you use is very understandable for me. I am looking forward to slowly developing my understanding to a much higher level. I figure it is one the best things to do for an aging brain. Many thanks for the fine effort and the generosity of posting the videos. Kind Regards Steve

5/13/15 from Jennifer, community college teacher in N. Carolina

Hi Julie,

I wanted to drop you a brief email to let you know how much I appreciate your work and your website.  As a community college math instructor myself, I am constantly referring my students to your website.  Our online students find your website particularly useful because the videos help supplement the instruction they miss from not being in class.  

I know you have put a lot of work into your videos.  I especially appreciate your thorough explanations and the fact that so many of your videos are captioned.   I also find it easy to navigate because of the way your videos are broken down by topic.   I have a little experience in filming and captioning videos myself.  So I know from experience how much time and effort it takes to produce a quality product.  I can only imagine the hours and hours you have dedicated to your website.  You have not only made things better for my students but also for me.  

Your dedication to students and math education at large is so obvious.  For that I can't thank you enough!

With sincere thanks,

Jennifer Fisher

Jennifer B. Fisher,

Mathematics Instructor

Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute

11/18/15 from Wanda

Hi Julie,

My name is Wanda  Garrett, and I just happened to stumble upon your website yesterday as I was searching for information about rational exponents, etc… Even though I’ve been a teacher (non-math!) and an administrator, it’s been years since I’ve worked through some of the algebraic concepts and was searching for help in order to teach Foundations of Math 2 to a group of 11 EC high school students!!

I knew I wanted to start from the beginning with the students, reviewing square roots, familiarizing them with some of the vocabulary, simple concepts and be ready to move forward from there. I was thrilled when I found you!!!! Your videos are perfect!!! You present the material in such a clear, concise manner, and always break it down to show e.g. why x to the 16th power squared isn’t 4!!

I also previewed your worksheets, which  are also amazing. Do you provide an answer key? Perhaps it’s on the web and I just didn’t see it. Any direction you could provide in that regard would be appreciated.

Thanks so much for sharing your incredible math information with the world, and especially me, a North Carolinian and long-term sub for someone on maternity leave, who needs refresher courses!! I’m so grateful I found your amazing resources. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!

Sincerely,

Wanda C. Garrett

Greensboro, NC

12/30/15 from CJ

Dear Mrs. Harland,

I wanted to wish you Happy Holidays and a blessed New Year to come. I want to thank you for taking the time to teach me. Your clear, concise, and logical steps have helped regain a fundamental understanding of mathematics.  

You have given me a wonderful gift thank you.

All of my life I have valued education, but due to life’s circumstances I have never been able to persue my own dream of obtain a college degree. I am sharing some of my story with you because in a way I feel I know you. I have spent hours learning from you. Studying your YouTube videos so in a way I am your student.

I never finished the 8th grade I entered the military at 17 y.o, today I am 47 y.o, a year and ago I started my personal purist of achieving a Bachelor’s degree.  I have over 24 units completed thus far. Math though has been a fearful subject for me. Thank goodness, I found you. I truly appreciate all the time you took out of your Life to make these learning videos.  I will get through algebra with you help.

To my teacher, thank you again sincerely. 

1/1/16 from Khalil A

Dear Ms.Julie Harland

My name is Khalil, one of your fervent admirers and fans. if no bother, I write to give you all the best wishes in the new year 2016, ( and probably belated merry christmas) 

I also wanted to eternally thank you for the free high quality math videos. I in fact teach English but on one hand I like developing my skills in math and on the other hand I got intrigued by your teaching style. I bear a lot of respect to you for you are a talented lady, with a tendered voice and heart.

I often thought I am stupid at math but with practice I now struggle in passing the well know GMAT exam.

I will enjoy and savor every lesson from you, and I owe you great gratitude.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU  AND YOUR FAMILY.

Regards.

Khalil A

8/16/16 from Barbara

Julie:

I am a 66-year old woman (now retired) who, through some unexplained

divine intervention, was led to your math website.  Before I retired I

had a short list of things I wanted to do with the freedom that came

with retirement.  One of those items was to overcome my fear of math

(and all things however remotely connected to math they were!!).  So,

after doing an on-line search I came upon your site and have been

daily spending several hours learning new lessons.

I cannot begin to tell you the newly-found self-confidence I have

because of this daily practice.  I love, love, love learning each day,

challenging myself and feeling so good about something that is

becoming so much clearer in my head.  (I scorned math growing up; hid

from it; got out of as many math classes and I possibly could.)  Now,

I can't wait to see what you can teach me each morning.

You are a woman I admire and place on my top-5 list of heroes.  (I

think you probably rate number 1!!!)

So, after all this time, I felt I need to make contact with you and

let you know of my immense sense of gratitude.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

You are admired!

10/18/16 from Jenny S.

Hi Julie,

My name is Jenny Strickland. My Dad is Dr. Rob Knight. He is a College Math Professor, I however, am not. : ) This year at age 45, with a degree already, I went back to Diablo Valley College to take math because it is near my home and I am getting ready to take the math CBEST. My dad referred me to your YouTube Channel for assistance because he thinks so highly of your teaching. I just want to thank you because you have really helped me. Whenever I have trouble understanding what just happened in my 2 hour math class (where they go over many units in one class) I come home watch your videos and it all becomes so clear. I love the whispering too. When I get a test or I get stuck, I just think "Math is fun and you can do it." So, I guess I just want to say thanks for getting in my head! : ) I have never thought any of that before. You and my Dad are right, math is fun. (and I can do it)

Thanks Again,

Jenny Strickland

11/30/16 follow-up from Barbara (see 8/16/16) from Minnesota

I have looked over your website thoroughly and do not find a link for donations.  What might I be missing?

And, again, thank you for your wonderful, comprehensive tool site which assists people like me who used to be scared to death of anything math!!!

Best always to you!!

5/15/17 from Michael F of Mt. Christian Academy

Thank you for helping me with math. It helps so much and my whole Algebra class loves you!!! XOXO

Follow up Email: My friend David B (who also emailed you) and I received amazing grades on our test today! I got a 94, and David received a 105. Thanks for all of your help! We love you!! We are Freshmen in Algebra 1 at Mount Bethel Christian Academy. Our teacher Mrs. Allsteadt showed us your wonderful videos. Thank you!

1/21/18 from Barbara in Minnesota

I believe it's been over a year since I last emailed you and I want to, again, let you know how you and your site have changed my outlook on anything dealing with mathematics.  I went from scared stiff in my young school-age years to now being addicted to continued learning at such a uniquely individualized way of grasping skills and concepts.

At the age of 68 I don't know what need there is for me in the world with this new-found love of math, but I sure do enjoy learning, and learning more each day.

Thank you again Julie!

Barbara Kerkhofff

Minnesota

3/17/19 from James

Hi Julie, I just wanted to thank for the awesome Math videos. I know it took a lot of effort to build the site and to create all the educational videos. (at no cost) They have been a great help to me as an adult taking night classes in engineering.  

4/12/19 from Bill Ridge

Hi Julie from Bill Ridge,

an admirer of your math skills and web site, a great site and you do a great job on Youtube. Given your content on your personal site and what I see on Youtube, you're one in a million that gets the job done and your a great communicator.    Surely you would be a great fighter pilot.  Thanks for  your outreach to all that need help with math, super job.    Best Bill R and kids.  I thanked him and he wrote this back to me: You're welcome Julie.  I'm an old dog today with 3+ generations experience. One does not see your type of character much these days, you're a rare human; it's good to know people like yourself are still alive and well.  Happy Easter to you and your family.

10/8/21 from Jessica B

Good morning Miss. Julie! I wanted to email you to thank you for your YouTube tutorials! Honestly if it wasn’t for you I wouldn’t be able to pass my (and I’m embarrassed to admit this) learning support math class. I am 36 and decided to go back to school.  I wish I hadn’t waited so long but things just kinda worked out that way for me. I absolutely HATED math. Because I never understood it or applied myself to figure it out. However by watching your videos I made a 95 on the no calculator part of my first exam and a 90 on the calculator part. Anyways, I just wanted to thank you and let you know I appreciate your hard work and all the time you put into the videos. Have a blessed day!

UPDATE EMAIL FROM JESSICA

Sat, Feb 12, 2022 at 1:10 PM Jessica 

Hello Miss. Jullie, I hope you are doing well. I didn't forget you, I had some issues with my account having a hold on it for my college transcripts not getting sent in. It took me a while to get it settled. Then I got really sick and had to have emergency surgery. I am a lot better now, still recovering but I think I'll be fine :) So.... are you ready!? I don't know if I told you but I wasn't good at math at all! Honestly if it wasn't for your video's I wouldn't be where I am in Math now! I made a 99 on my Final Exam!!!!! I finished last semester with a 4.0 GPA. My instructor told me that I had the highest average and that me and one other student scored a 99 on his final. I was shocked and so proud of myself.  So, from the bottom of my heart thank you so much! I couldn't have done it without your video's! I couldn't wait to see my grade and get better enough to email you! I just didn't want you to think I had forgotten to let you know how I did. :) Have a blessed day. 

Sincerely,

Jessi

7/3/24 from Dennis M

Hi Julie,

I never got to thank you personally for teaching me (still learning) precalculus, algebra and trig through your videos. You are a wonderful teacher! I am 77 years old and still interested in learning. Math is doable but not easy for me. Yet, your lessons have encouraged me to continue to learn math.

By the way, have you ever taught Bayes Theorem and practical ways to use it in everyday thinking? I am looking for a good source.

Blessings,

Dennis M