Zoe

I have graduated with a first MSc (Hons) Biology degree at the University of St Andrews and I am currently working as an ecological consultant.

I really enjoy biology and especially Ecology and Conservation but I am comfortable with most areas due to the highly integrated nature of the subject. Apart from my studies, I enjoy dancing as I did Latin and Ballroom lessons for 9 years and I am a recently qualified Ocean diver. I have finished high school with an International Baccalaureate diploma of 40/45 (higher level: Biology, Chemistry, Modern Greek/ Standard level: Maths, English B, Psychology).

In terms of my approach to teaching Biology, I am trying to focus on the students` needs and what they don`t understand or need help with. The student and I will discuss the subjects of interest and I`ll try to let them figure out the answers themselves rather than me giving them a ready answer. This way they will be ready to answer all types of questions rather than trying to memorise an answer and be flustered in an exam setting if something they haven`t seen before comes up. In order to achieve this, I usually prepare my lessons in advance. I give exercises to the students to complete before our sessions so we can discuss them and identify challenging topics. Once these topics have been identified, I try to explain them through audiovisual measures (diagrams and videos), as well as examples from personal experience, which places the theory in a real-life context which is more memorable. However, I understand that this method doesn`t work for everyone and therefore I am willing to adapt my teaching style to the individual`s needs.

I love working with younger people and aid them in the process of learning new things and make them enjoy a subject that I thoroughly love myself!

Availability: I am available weekdays after 5pm. I can do any time at the weekends.

Willing to travel: 15 miles

Experience: During my final year of university, I was involved with the Coronavirus Tutoring Initiative (CTI) which consisted of volunteering to tutor biology to students that cannot afford private tutoring but were affected by the closure of schools due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Through this position, I taught students at A-level (both AQA and OCR boards) developing my tutoring experience and getting familiar with the specifications of different UK educational systems. Tutoring through CTI taught me to be patient and considerate of children`s circumstances and tailor my lessons according to each person`s needs while keeping on top of the syllabus so that they can be prepared for their mocks and actual exams. Through CTI tutored for approximately 100 hours. I have also offered AQA, OCR and CCEA A level tutoring independently and I have approx. 500 hours of teaching. Overall I have taught approx. 600 hours.

In addition to that, my degree has a year placement requirement, which I completed in the USA at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute. In addition to this, I have had two research assistantships at my university. Through talks and presentations at both formal and informal settings, I have learnt how to tailor my knowledge to the target audience depending on their experience on the subject and their background. I also wrote publishable and concise reports which helped me on focusing on the important details of subjects.

I also have experience with a range of software and technologies, which means I can approach a wide range of lessons for all ages, with the appropriate set of tools and I can tailor each one of them to the individual`s needs effectively, and in an engaging way.