Andrew

This year I graduated from the University of Strathclyde with a first class honours degree in Mathematics. I am now about to start a PhD at Edinburgh University.

Up until my final year at Strathclyde, I followed the maths with teaching programme and in my third year completed two school placements. I gained a lot of experience working with young people and learnt how to tailor lessons to meet their needs. Whilst on placement I also became familiar with the Scottish curriculum, from National 4 to Advanced Higher and the first to third year Experiences and Outcomes.

During my final two years at Strathclyde I was employed by the university as an undergraduate teaching assistant. I delivered tutorials to first year undergraduate students and provided one to one tuition in a maths drop-in centre on campus. This really developed my ability to identify the exact concept a student is struggling to grasp and how to improve their approach.

Despite deciding not to pursue a career as a school teacher, I remain passionate about the importance of delivering a high standard of mathematics education. My decision to undertake a PhD is purely a reflection of my enthusiasm for maths. I would be delighted if this enthusiasm rubbed off on anyone I tutored, but I expect, at the very least, to develop their understanding and give them the ability and confidence to tackle problems successfully.

I am happy to tutor anyone of any age and at any stage of the Scottish curriculum.

Availability: Weekdays: 6pm onwards
Weekends: Any time

Willing to travel: 5 miles

Experience: Classroom Assistant, 2015/2016:
During the summers after my first and second year of university I returned to my old school. I acted as an extra pair of hands in maths lessons, usually spending my time giving one to one help to pupils who needed extra support.

Student Maths Teacher, 2016/2017:
In my third year at university I completed a five week placement in the winter of 2015 at Lesmahagow High School and two six week placements at Hyndland Secondary School in the spring of 2016. By my final six week placement at Hyndland, I was preparing and delivering lessons to classes from first year to National 5. I received a report from Hyndland that was very complimentary and can be viewed upon request.

Undergraduate Teaching Assistant, Strathclyde University, September 2016 to April 2018:
I was responsible for delivering a weekly tutorial to a small group of first year maths undergraduates and marked the weekly assignments they submitted. In addition, I assisted in the delivery of other weekly maths tutorials and provided one to one tuition at the maths skills support centre at the university.

My Approach:
When delivering one to one tuition, I feel it is important to take the required time and make sure the fundamental principles behind any particular area of maths are understood. This is especially important during early stages of the school career as the same principles will continue to appear in the maths encountered in later years. Once these principles have been mastered, we will build on them gradually to get rid of any anxiety towards the topic. After this point we will return to tackling the specific questions that may appear in an assessment scenario and build confidence so that questions can be tackled successfully.