About Heather Rafia

We don’t just “get through homework”—we build skills, confidence, and a positive mindset. Whether your student is struggling, thriving, or somewhere in between, I’m here to meet them where they are and help them grow.

— Heather Rafia, Founder

Hi! I’m Heather Rafia, a passionate math educator with over eight years of classroom experience and a lifelong love of learning. I started The Math Lab to create a space where students feel confident, curious, and genuinely supported in their math journey—whether they need help building foundational skills, preparing for challenging exams, or just rediscovering the joy in learning.

Before launching The Math Lab, I taught high school math at Belmont High School and in the Lake Oswego School District in Oregon. I’ve taught everything from Algebra 1 to Precalculus—at all levels—and I specialize in making math approachable for students of all backgrounds and abilities. My teaching is grounded in empathy, equity, and a deep belief that every student is capable of growth and success.

I hold a Master’s in Public Health and a Master’s in Education, and my background helps me connect math to real-world topics like public health, policy, and social justice—showing students that math isn’t just about numbers, it’s about understanding the world. I’m also trained in Universal Design for Learning and experienced in supporting neurodiverse learners and English language learners.

What People are Saying…

  • Ms. Rafia was my math teacher when I was a junior in high school (I'm a senior now), and I will confidently say that she is the best teacher I have ever had, across all subjects. I have struggled in math for many years, but she created such a wonderful classroom environment in which I felt comfortable asking questions and working through problems together. She is incredibly friendly and kind and treats her students like real people, which is my favorite quality in a teacher. She cares genuinely and deeply about her students and makes sure that they have what they need to be successful. Although that class is my least favorite type of math, I ended the year with an A and a connection with Ms. Rafia that I value deeply. Now, I visit her almost every day, and we talk about college and so many other things. It's so nice to know that I have someone in a school environment who cares so much about me as a student and as a person.

    Sophia ~ BHS Student

  • I have really enjoyed your engaging teaching style and the way you have helped me understand new concepts this year. I loved your dedication to our successes: like how you would ask the class about when we should have tests, or moving them if we weren’t ready. You would also modify the units/way of teaching from the other math teachers if you felt they were unfair. I feel like in our class, we could balance work and fun. You showed your personality since day 1, which made me much more comfortable in your class. I feel like I could talk to you and felt closer to you than other teachers for that reason. The class environment was really enjoyable to be in, and I could be myself with my friends and not feel any pressure. I also think you saw the ways I would learn and study so I think you understood the type of student I am academically.

    John ~ BHS Student

  • I have known Heather Rafia for the last year as a parent of a student in her class. I have seen her dedication, loyalty to teaching, attention to detail and genuine concern for her students. Heather is committed to strong teaching and promoting learning among her students. She knows how to make concepts applicable and accessible to students. Heather has a passion for teaching students and helping students gain the most from her math classes and their high school experience. Heather has a deep content area in mathematics. Her methods are fresh and original. She also takes careful notice of the intellectual, emotional, emotional, and personal welfare for her students including my child. She communicates openly and I feel comfortable contacting her if I need to.

    BHS Parent

  • I have worked with Heather for 3 years at Belmont High School. In that time she has become a respected and well liked teacher in the Math Department. She is a great collaborator when developing curriculum and assessments and works to make that curriculum accessible and relatable to all students at all levels. In the Belmont High School Marauder of the Week student awards, she has been listed as a Most Influential Teacher on a number of occasions.

    BHS Math Teacher

  • Heather Rafia has been my direct neighbor at Belmont High School for the last two years, and I could not ask for a better colleague. Heather approaches all student-centered conversations with curiosity, patience and optimism, and students gravitate to her for their sharing of both academic and emotional questions. As a younger teacher, years from now I will surely think of Heather as a superb friend, mentor and confidant. I could not speak more highly of her.

    BHS Math Teacher

  • Your class was without a doubt my favorite out of all four years of high school. Out of all the teachers, before Pre Calc last year, I had never had a teacher that was both good at relaying their knowledge, and was also so warm and sweet and made the classroom a fun and welcoming place to be every single day. Every day, walking into the class, I would know that I was going to have a good time and learn something, unlike others which I often dreaded going to. Overall, I felt like we had a great student-teacher relationship, and not just us but that you provided a sense of warmth and familiarity with every student that entered that class.

    Alissa ~ BHS Student