Kevin Steven

I've always been interested in mathematics and a subject that I always enjoyed in school. I also have fond memories of my own personal studies in my free time with mathematics exploring topics that I found interesting. Mathematics is based on building skills and techniques. These skills can be difficult to acquire and need patience, reflection, and tenacity. These are skills which apply not only to mathematics but other subjects and aspects of life. Gaining confidence in mathematics will bring benefits beyond just examinations and curriculum material. Most learners will be preparing for an upcoming exam which is a daunting process. With the right approach the task can be made more manageable

Why should someone take casual lessons?
It may seem unusual for an adult to want to take casual lessons in mathematics instead of a foreign language or musical instrument but I would encourage anyone who thinks they might be interested to get in touch. I meet a lot of people who say they wish they knew more mathematics or they wish they could learn more about the world and universe but feel they never got the right opportunity to do build the technical skills. You may feel that you would like to develop your skills in mathematics but you're not sure how to go about. You might be someone who loves to read about science and learn how the world works but you're not sure how to formalise that knowledge with mathematical rigour. If you enjoy science and would like to learn more about numbers, equations, and how to describe the world why not get in touch? It's a good way to learn how to do what you've always wanted without the stress of examinations or a classroom setting - we can learn about things that interest you!

Beyond mathematics I'm a keen musician and I also work as a piano teacher. I also have a strong interest in languages and I enjoy learning them!

Qualifications:
Master's Degree in Mathematics (Queen's University Belfast, 2016)
A-levels: Mathematics, Further Mathematics (2012)
GCSEs: Mathematics, Additional Mathematics (2010)
Summer School: "Dimension Theory of Smooth Dynamical Systems" (University of Jyväskylä, Finland).

N.B. At present all teaching is online. This allows you to learn from the comfort of your own home. In-person lessons for those who wish to have them should be coming soon!

Tutoring Experience

I have been tutoring in my local community since I was a teenager. In addition to my mathematics studies I work as a piano teacher and have taught both in the UK and Germany. For the past five years teaching in some form has been my main occupation.

During the pandemic all of the teaching that I did was online, so I am quite comfortable with this medium. At the present moment online tutoring is the only type of teaching I do.

Tutoring Approach

I aim to create a space where pupils are free to learn and explore, without fear of judgement of expectation. My aim is to help the learner progress and make strides in mathematical thinking and approaches. My lessons are always based on understanding and patience. Confidence-building approaches are used throughout with the aim to give the student the ability to progress by themselves in mathematics .

Lessons will always be based on friendliness, understanding, and kindness.

I tend to avoid teaching methods which contain a lot of distractions. By this I mean that I focus on the core thinking process and intuitive explanations over rhymes, mnemonics etc. I want the skills learned to be long-lasting and this requires gaining understanding over just mechanical techniques for getting the answer.