Bio

I have taught in the UK, Bahrain, and Indonesia. I have a passion for the IB and believe it to be the best secondary education programme globally. I am highly trained in educational technologies’ effective use, including being a Level 1 and 2 Google Certified Educator and an Apple Teacher. I am constantly looking to learn, and I try to use research-based methods to ensure my students learn effectively.

Teaching Experience

British School Jakarta 2015-2020
IB Biology HL/SL, IB Sport, Exercise and Health Science HL/SL, IB Environmental Systems and Societies SL, IGCSE Biology, MYP Sciences used various engaging techniques to enhance students’ understanding of challenging concepts. Able to explain concepts in a variety of ways to help students gain confidence in the learning material. Used many apps and educational technology tools to improve learning outcomes and develop 21st-century collaboration, communication, creativity, and critical thinking skills. Worked with students to develop successful IAs. Extended Essay Supervisor.
British School of Bahrain 2014-2015
A-Level Biology, IGCSE Biology, KS3 Science
CTC Kingshurst Academy 2013-2014
IB Biology HL/SL, IGCSE Physics, KS3 Science
Cranbrook School, 2009-2013
A-Level Biology, GCSE Biology

What is your teaching philosophy?

I believe in giving students the skills and tools to be successful in whatever they do. While ensuring the content is covered thoroughly, and students have a good understanding of it, it is also important that students’ minds are agile and able to deal with novel and unusual contexts that often come up on exams. They need to be able to apply their knowledge, not just regurgitate it.

What might you do in a typical first session with a student?

I would want to get to know the student a bit. Why are they taking the subject? What are their plans for post-secondary education? I would also want to get a feel for where they are in the course, what they are finding challenging, and see which areas I can most help them in.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

I feel that part of my role as a teacher is to help students learn and understand subject content and develop skills to help them learn in any context. I will focus on techniques and skills that are based on educational and psychological research into learning. If the student can start using some of these techniques and tools when working at home, they will begin to see increased success.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

You have to make the learning engaging and fun if possible. I like to tell stories and make personal connections to the subject material to make it more real for my students. I also like to use engaging and interactive resources.

If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?

First, we need to understand what is causing the difficulty. Is it a misconception or a lack of understanding of key terminology? Once we establish the cause for the difficulty we can address it either by changing the approach or providing tools to strengthen particular skills.

How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?

Being able to read for comprehension is a skill that has to be developed like any other. Starting with more basic reading materials to develop understanding and fluency in the subject-specific terminology before progressing to more challenging materials is the method I would use. I would also supplement the reading with work of key terms using a tool such as Quizlet.

What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?

There is always going to be more successful when a good relationship is established with the student. There has to be trust and respect for the relationship to be productive and for the student to gain the most from the time spent together.

How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling with?

Make a personal connection if possible. Also, using an engaging resource such as a video or simulation.

What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?

I use quizzes, and other assessment materials to formatively assess students to check their understanding. This can also be a discussion with the student where they articulate their understanding of a concept.

How do you build a student’s confidence in a subject?

Giving students opportunities to succeed is key. Ensure the work is tailored to their level so that while being challenging, it is still accessible, and the student can see that they are learning and progressing. Helping students using meta-cognition to know what they know is also compelling.

How do you evaluate a student’s needs?

This is mostly through discussions and interactions with the student. I will get an excellent understanding of where they are by asking them questions and sharing what they already know. I will also use lots of formative assessment to identify specific areas of strength and weakness.

How do you adapt your tutoring to the student’s needs?

The student is the focus of the learning. I will use the techniques and tools I feel will best help the student, and I will work to structure my explanations so that the student understands. The depth that I go into a concept will depend upon the student’s grasp of it. I want the student to become as confident as possible with the material over time.

What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?

That depends on what the needs of the student are. I will select appropriate resources based upon the student’s content and the skills I feel the student needs to develop further. This ranges from quizzes and past paper questions to data analysis practice to visual resources such as videos and diagrams. If the focus is practical in nature, then a simulation may be used.

Teaching Skills