Meet Eric Heaton

About Me

Hi, I’m Eric Heaton, and I’ve had an amazing journey filled with growth, learning, and the joy of helping others. I’m a husband, father, and proud dog lover with a passion for seeing people achieve their potential. But my journey to get here wasn’t easy. Growing up, I faced significant challenges, including losing my hearing as a child and enduring years of reconstructive surgeries. These experiences taught me perseverance and self-empowerment—the belief that nothing can hold me back but myself. I carried that lesson with me as I pursued a career in teaching, driven by a love for learning and a deep desire to help others discover their own strengths.

From Teacher to World Traveler

My passion for education led me to become a high school math teacher. After a few years, I went back to graduate school, where I graduated as the most outstanding student in my university. I traveled the world, teaching and learning in places like Europe and Asia, and eventually returned to the U.S. to work in state government, developing training and educational programs. For a while, it felt like I was on top of the world.

Hitting Rock Bottom

But after years in state service, I found myself losing that passion. The bureaucracy and endless red tape drained the excitement from my work. I felt stuck, watching my training materials and programs get stuck in endless approval processes, only to see ineffective content rolled out in the end. I was frustrated, disheartened, and just surviving in an unfulfilled career.

Finding 

It all started to change when my wife’s friend asked if I could tutor her daughter, who was struggling with math. I had tutored extensively during my college days, and stepping back into that role felt, at first, unexciting. Suddenly, I was watching her grasp new concepts, growing more confident with each session. She even began enjoying math—something she never thought possible. We focused on building her foundational skills, boosting her critical thinking, and preparing her for tests.

Watching her enthusiasm grow reminded me why I loved teaching in the first place. Her excitement and improvement reignited that lost passion within me. It wasn’t long before I realized I could help more people the way I helped her, and that’s when the idea for Mr. Heaton's Math Lab was born.

Turning Passion Into a Business

The more I tutored, the clearer it became that this was my calling. I began taking on more students and eventually decided to start Mr. Heaton's Math Lab. My mission is to help students enhance foundational skills, develop critical thinking, and boost test readiness. I break down complex math concepts into simple, relatable pieces, often using practical examples and personalized learning strategies that cater to different learning styles. My goal isn’t just to help students survive math—it’s to help them thrive and see math as a pathway to greater opportunities in life.

My Values

Empowerment drives everything I do at Mr. Heaton's Math Lab. I want to lift students out of a survival mindset and show them that math doesn’t have to be scary. By focusing on practical applications and the “why” behind mathematical concepts, I aim to build confidence and self-belief. My approach centers on giving students the tools to not only succeed academically but also feel empowered to pursue any goal they set for themselves. Math might be just one part of their journey, but if I can help them see what’s possible, then I’ve done my job.

So, whether you’re a student trying to improve your grades, a parent looking for support for your child, or someone who just needs a little extra help, I’m here for you. Let’s work together to unlock your potential and achieve your goals.

Looking forward to being part of your journey!

—Eric Heaton, Founder of Mr. Heaton's Math Lab