On April 30, 2025, our friend and former colleague Mike McGarry passed away after a courageous battle with ALS. For thousands of test-takers—and many who worked beside him—Mike embodied what great teaching looks and feels like.
First contact with Magoosh
Magoosh was five people sharing a single Berkeley office when we posted an ad for a GMAT expert. We reviewed every application with equal care, but one candidate consistently stood out: Mike McGarry. On paper, he was impressive with two Harvard degrees: A.B. in Physics, magna cum laude, and an M.T.S. in Religions of the World. He also had over 20 years of math and physics teaching experience and a recent 770 GMAT.
What truly distinguished him, though, was his hiring assignment: meticulously reviewed, edited, and re-written verbal practice questions paired with a polished math blog post demonstrating clarity, creativity, and empathy for learners.
After showcasing his depth, Mike added a playful postscript:
“I play defense in foosball, and I would be surprised if any of you could block my bank shots consistently . . . . (Foosball is one of the few activities in life that I am willing to discuss with pure swagger.)”
He came in for a demo lesson, dazzled us, and—true to his word—proved to have some of the hardest bank shots on the foosball table.
Impact: By the Numbers and Beyond
During his seven years at Magoosh, Mike’s impact was nothing short of extraordinary before he returned to classroom teaching.
- 2 million learners worldwide watched his videos, each one crafted meticulously to clarify and inspire.
- 90% average approval rate across thousands of videos, a testament to his exceptional ability to communicate complex concepts clearly and engagingly.
- 1,000+ foosball showdowns, featuring Mike’s signature back-line bank shots that left even the bravest attackers shaking their heads.
Beyond metrics, Mike’s greatest impact might have been the confidence and joy he instilled in students, as reflected in countless heartfelt testimonials:
“I have a PhD and out of all my math classes have rarely heard someone teach so simply, clearly, and practically. Mike is one of, if not the most, valuable resources in Magoosh.”
“I was nearly fifty and needed to pass the PRAXIS Math. After three months with Mike’s videos I scored 200 / 200. My kids now think I’m a math genius; really I just found the right teacher.”
“As a fellow physics major, I learned a lot and I really appreciate Mike’s holistic approach to mathematics versus memorizing shortcuts… This is the proper way to learn mathematics! Thanks Mike!”
“In the distance‑between‑two‑points video Mike said, “There’s a formula for this, but I refuse to teach it because it impedes understanding.” That line changed how I learn.”
Mike as a teacher
Mike approached every lesson as an invitation to explore, not merely a set of steps to memorize. His openings—“What in Sam Hill is a bubble chart?”—framed math as friendly, even playful.
He always led with concepts before formulas, guiding students to see why something worked before showing how. Empathy threaded through all of it. Whether writing for a physics PhD or a forty‑something test‑taker who had “never been a math person,” Mike’s tone affirmed that improvement was within reach. He welcomed questions in the comments and answered, sometimes years later, addressing strangers as “my friend” and celebrating their victories.
Underlying it all was the philosophy captured in his number‑sense video: “do a little more math than you have to.” By nudging learners to notice patterns for themselves, he replaced anxiety with curiosity—and helped more than two million people discover they could think mathematically.
Throughout all of this, he remained authentically Mike in shorts, a Mets cap, and glasses.
Honoring Mike
We’re profoundly grateful for the years we had learning from, and teaching alongside, Mike. His wisdom and warmth ripple far beyond Magoosh, touching anyone who ever pressed “play” on one of his lessons.
If you feel moved, consider donating to ALS United Greater New York, the charity selected by Mike’s family.
Thank you, Mike, for showing us the true power of compassionate teaching. Your voice, videos, and thoughtful questions will keep guiding learners for years to come—and we’ll make sure the bank shots keep echoing in your name.
