IB MYP/IBDP Biology Tutor, Extended Essay Examiner, and IA moderator; Ph.D. Candidate in Biomedical Science (Parasitology); holds a Master's and bachelor's degree in molecular Biology and Biotechnology, First Class Honors in Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) with 12+ years of IB, IGCSE, O/A Levels, and SAT Teaching experience.
Tutor Bio
I am a compassionate, creative, and innovative Teacher with valuable experience in online classroom administration, professional development, and project planning. I am experienced in multiple instructional strategies focused primarily on student engagement and independent thought processes. Biology is a practical and application-based subject. Students can excel if they are taught to approach it from a problem-solving and dynamic perspective using a combination of concept and contextual-driven learning approaches. In my role as MYP/Diploma SL/HL Biology teacher for the past six years at the Tema International School (Ghana), I have achieved a 100% pass rate for students I tutored to sit for the Diploma External examinations with 95% pass rate for candidates who sat the e-assessment examination. I have experience teaching biology at the IGCSE and Advanced Subsidiary/Advanced Level. With a track record of initiative and dependability, I have devised strategic initiatives which I believe will prove valuable to my student's academic success; for example, I organized student-centered workshops in my school to orient students to the success requirements of obtaining high grades in the Science Extended Essays and IA after I gained deeper insight as an IB Biology Extended Essay Examiner and IA moderator on a temporal basis. This has resulted in a 100% success pass rate for students taking extended essays in the sciences since I joined the school. Recently, I was invited by the IB to apply for an Assessment Content Developer position which is still in progress. This will also give me firsthand information about the selection criteria for external assessment examination content and aid in facilitating exam preparation for my students.
Tutor Introduction
Teaching Experience
2016-Present @ Tema International School, Ghana
IB Biology Teacher
MYP/DP higher-level Biology Tutor
2011-2016 @ British International School, Ghana
Head of Science Department
Spearheaded activities of the Science Department (Chemistry, Biology, and Physics)
2009-2016 @ British International School, Ghana
IGCSE/GCSE Biology Teacher
IGCSE/GCSE AS/A Level Biology Tutor
Education
University of Cape Coast, Ghana
Ph.D. Candidate in Parasitology (Biomedical Sciences)
University of Cape Coast, Ghana
Postgraduate Diploma in Education
University of Cape Coast, Ghana
Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology
University of Cape Coast, Ghana
Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology
Teaching Skills
Diploma Programme
Biology HL
Biology SL
Extended Essay (EE)
Internal Assessment (IA)
Middle Years Programme
Biology
Personal Project
Tutor Teaching Style
I believe that education is about Engagement. One word can significantly impact many areas of school life, including motivation, achievement, job satisfaction, behavior, happiness, attendance, well-being, and much more. Get the engagement right, and so much more will follow.
I will start by introducing myself and making inquiries as to what the student's aims are. This will inform me on how they learn best, so I can support their particular style of learning. Then I will proceed to explain how the sessions will work. I will discuss different engagement strategies to help build rapport and enhance student confidence. I will also assess the current level of study and bring relevant resources to exhibit my preparation for the class session. I will seek to boost student confidence by starting lesson sessions at an easier level than previously suggested and teaching something new to demonstrate my tutoring ability. Finally, I will probably try to book my next lesson because my income is based on securing long-term students as professional tutors.
To do this, I would use various teaching techniques and resources. For example, I would incorporate hands-on activities into my lessons whenever possible. This could include virtual experiments and simulations (because it's online) that allow students to explore their environment and observe how biological concepts play out in nature. In addition, I would also make sure to provide students with access to current news articles related to biology topics. This will help them understand how these topics are used in everyday life and give them a better understanding of the relevance of their studies. Finally, I would encourage students to engage in discussions about how the material we cover can be applied to the real world. Through these conversations, they can gain insight into thinking critically and creatively about the subject matter.”This can enhance their independent thought processes.
Motivating students to learn is an essential part of being a successful teacher. I believe the best way to encourage students to learn biology is by creating an engaging and interactive learning environment. This can be done through project-oriented activities, virtual lab experiments, simulations, and research-oriented activities. By providing these opportunities for students to explore and engage with the material, they will become more interested in the subject matter and more motivated to learn. In addition, I think it’s essential to ensure that the material is relevant to the student’s lives. For example, if we are studying ecology, I would try to find ways to connect the concepts to current environmental issues or local habitats. Doing this helps to create a connection between the material and the real world, which can help to increase motivation. Finally, I always strive to provide positive reinforcement when my students demonstrate an understanding of the material. This can be done through verbal praise, rewards, or even a smile. All these combined strategies can help create an atmosphere where students feel supported and encouraged to learn.”
When a student struggles with a concept or has difficulties mastering a skill, I take the time to get to know them and their learning style. This helps me determine the best way to help them understand the material. First, I ask questions to find out what they already know about the topic and then use that information to build on it. I also like to provide visual aids such as diagrams or videos to help explain complex concepts more quickly. Finally, I make sure to break down complex topics into smaller parts so students can better comprehend the material. By taking these steps, I can ensure that each student thoroughly understands the subject matter.”
One strategy I like to use is providing interactive activities that allow students to explore concepts independently. This helps them develop critical thinking skills while also making learning more fun. For example, I often have students design models or diagrams of biological processes. I also make sure to provide plenty of opportunities for hands-on learning. Whenever possible, I incorporate experiments (in this case, virtual)into my lessons so that students can better understand how things work in the real world. This helps them gain a deeper appreciation for the subject matter and keeps them interested.”
One strategy I like to use is providing interactive activities that allow students to explore concepts independently. This helps them develop critical thinking skills while also making learning more fun. For example, I often have students design models or diagrams of biological processes. I also make sure to provide plenty of opportunities for hands-on learning. Whenever possible, I incorporate experiments (in this case, virtual)into my lessons so that students can better understand how things work in the real world. This helps them gain a deeper appreciation for the subject matter and keeps them interested.”
I resort to using a combination of teaching methods in my classroom. I believe that each student learns differently, so it is essential to provide a variety of activities and approaches to ensure everyone can learn effectively. My favorite method is hands-on learning. I find that when students can interact with the material, they are more likely to retain information and develop a deeper understanding. For example, I like to have my students conduct experiments or build models related to the topic we’re discussing. This allows them to understand the concepts better while also having fun. In addition to hands-on learning, I also use lectures and discussions to help my students understand the material. Lectures allow me to present the material in an organized manner, while discussions allow my students to ask questions and share their ideas. Finally, I incorporate technology into my lessons whenever possible. I think it’s essential for students to be familiar with the latest tools and technologies, and this helps keep them engaged and interested in the subject matter.”
My approach to ensuring students understand the material begins with sharing a lesson plan that showcases an understanding of the course's objectives and what my students need to learn. From there, I create activities to help them understand the material and make it enjoyable. I like incorporating different learning styles into my lessons, such as visual, auditory, and kinesthetic. This helps ensure that all students can comprehend the material regardless of their preferred learning style. I also make sure to include hands-on activities when appropriate so that students can apply the knowledge they have gained. In addition, I strive to keep the class interactive by encouraging questions and discussions. This allows me to assess how well the students understand the material and adjust accordingly if needed. Finally, I always try to end each lesson with a review or quiz to reinforce the concepts learned.”
I believe every student learns differently, and as a Biology Teacher, I am responsible for ensuring that each of my students can understand the material. It is essential to break down complex concepts in the subject into smaller parts so students can appreciate how they build up to explain the complex phenomena. To enhance student comprehension of the material and build their confidence in the subject, I use visual aids like diagrams and charts to help illustrate concepts. I also ask questions throughout the lesson to gauge how well the students grasp the information. By breaking down the content and using visuals, I can successfully engage all of my students, and they can gain a better understanding of the subject matter.”
I evaluate my student's needs by periodically assessing their work output through tasks. I believe in providing constructive and encouraging feedback so that students can learn from their mistakes and continue to grow as learners. To ensure fairness, I use a rubric-based system when assessing student work. This allows me to evaluate each assignment objectively and accurately. I also strive to provide timely feedback to my students. I understand how important it is for them to receive timely feedback so they can adjust their learning strategies accordingly. Therefore, I ensure to grade assignments within a reasonable time after submission. Finally, I always take the opportunity to have meaningful conversations with my students about their grades and performance. This helps me better understand where they are struggling and what areas need more attention.”
The first step to adapting tutoring to students' needs is to be familiar with their preferred learning styles. It is prudent to adopt an approach of breaking down and explaining concepts using strategies incorporating attributes of these learning styles so that the student can easily comprehend the material. In some cases, the approach to grading student work can follow a structured rubric but should be flexible such that students can present their responses using their preferred learning styles. Visual learners can create models to explain their ideas, auditory learners can present oral reports, and kinesthetic learners can build a diorama. The mode of information delivery by the teacher can also adopt diverse teaching approaches to stimulate student interest in class sessions.
I use a wide range of teaching resources. I am well-versed in the use of technology and digital tools for teaching and learning, such as video conferencing, online discussion boards, and virtual labs. I also have experience creating engaging content that is both interactive and informative. I understand the importance of providing clear instructions and feedback to ensure student success. I am comfortable using various assessment methods, including quizzes, tests, and projects. I strive to create an environment where all students feel safe and supported while they learn.
Tutor Quote
Teachers open the door, but you must enter by yourself-Chinese Proverb
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