Karen

After teaching science and maths for 25 years I still remain as enthusiastic and entranced by science as I ever was. I continue to keep abreast of current scientific progress and to motivate my students with the most interesting and up to date science information. I love it when my students say they want to go on to study science or maths at a higher level having been inspired by my lessons. I use science in my everyday activities from growing my own vegetables to my choices of sport. I have used my knowledge when working as a medical research assistant and as a medical sales representative for a pharmaceutical industry.

Tutoring Experience

In my 25 years as a teacher I have taught all the sciences and maths at GCSE level. My specialist subjects are Biology and Chemistry and I have a very successful track record for both at A level and GCSE. Over 90% high grades from two five years of results in two schools for Biology A level and 100% high grades from three years of results. In South Downs College I taught maths, statistics, chemistry and biology as part of the level 3 applied science course being course manager for the level 2 course. The last 6 years I have taught a mixture of A level and GCSE in secondary schools. I was the lead teacher for biology and the sole teacher of Chemistry. I have also been an Edexcel biology examiner for the past 5 years and thus I am very familiar with the detail needed to get the maximum marks from exam papers. I am now an AQA exam marker for GCSE double science so I can make comparisons and teach students according to their exam preferences.
For the past 3 years I have privately tutored a small group of students for mixed GCSE science and for both A level and BTEC level 3 science. I can supply very complimentary references from students and parents if requested.

Tutoring Approach

My over all approach is to make learning fun and rewarding. When a student enjoys the subject they learn more securely. I have many students who have taken up Science to higher levels as a result of my teaching. My first objective is to find out more about the student, what they are interested in and how they learn best. Finding where the weak points are in order to turn these into strengths. Then we go on to work together on the topics they need to improve or with a schedule to cover the syllabus as needed. I have a vast source of tutoring resources from PowerPoints to specific packs of exam questions. It is important to show the student strategies for deciphering the exam questions and enabling them to maximise the marks from the answers they give.
Tutoring online has become a very successful strategy in recent years as I have become far more confident and competent with the use of IT tools. It allows students to learn in an environment they are comfortable within, a relaxed student is far more open to information and support. I use OneNote which allows the student to interact with the work as if on a white board in the classroom. This in conjunction with Teams or other social media means I can still read body language and facial expressions which give away when the student is having difficulties with the work. It also allows me to be more active in my approach to teaching.
Face to face is still preferable to some students. I have a down stairs area set aside for tuition in a quiet but visible environment where students can learn in a secure and relaxing way. My students like the friendly and enthusiastic manner of my teaching.