About John
I have over fourteen years of experience teaching mainly the IB Diploma Chemistry to students applying to top universities in the UK and the US, including Oxford, Cambridge, and Imperial College.
Video Introduction
Watch this video to learn more about John's teaching approach and experience.
Teaching Experience
Chemistry Online Tutor
- Teaching IGCSE Chemistry and IB Diploma Chemistry.
Chemistry Teacher
- Teaching IGCSE Chemistry and IB Diploma Chemistry.
Chemistry Teacher
- Taught IGCSE Chemistry to Chinese students and mentoring Chinese teachers.
Teacher of Chemistry and Science
- Taught Science to classes in Key Stage 3 following the English National Curriculum; Chemistry to students in years 10 and 11 (IGCSE); and AS and A2 chemistry to students in years 12 and 13.
Teacher of Chemistry
- Taught Chemistry to elite students and mentored Kazak and Russian teachers in an experimental integrated course equivalent to A level in collaboration with CIE.
Teacher of Chemistry and Science
- Taught Science to classes in Key Stage 3 following the English National Curriculum; Chemistry to students in years 10 and 11 (IGCSE); and AS and A2 chemistry to students in years 12 and 13. I also taught IB in September 2009 and attended an IB course in Birmingham in August 2009.
Teacher of Chemistry and Science (NQT year)
- Taught twelve classes in science and chemistry from year 9 to year 13, including A2-chemistry.
Director of Research and Development
- Started the GMP R&D Department responsible for generating more than $2M in revenue in 2006 and established specialty teams in project management, technical writing, and quality assurance to support the department. Responsible for setting budgets, purchase approvals, forecasting, hiring/firing, quoting, and consulting services.
Teacher of Stability Studies
Lecturer
- Taught a one-day course in Pharmaceutical Stability Studies to foreign graduates and pharmaceutical professionals pursuing a career in the North American pharmaceutical industry.
Principal
- Established and led an independent laboratory to execute research and development for chemicals, consumer packaged goods, and pharmaceuticals.
Section Head, Method development and Degradation Studies
- Managed activities in the laboratory by leading a team of twelve graduate chemists in developing and validating methods.
Fine Chemicals Section Head
- Managed a small group of analysts in API's in-process and release testing. Worked with development chemists to discover new routes of synthesis and extraction of compounds from natural sources.
Education
Academic qualifications and achievements
Postgraduate Certificate in Education
Strathclyde University, Scotland
Ph. D. in Physical Organic Chemistry
University of Stirling, Scotland
B.Sc. (Honors) in Chemistry
University of St. Andrews, Scotland
Teaching Skills & Expertise
Subjects, levels, and qualifications
Subject | Programme | Level | Assignments | Qualifications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemistry | IB DP | – | Internal Assessment | Qualified Tutor |
Chemistry
Teaching Style
My methodology and approach to tutoring
What is your teaching philosophy?
I use the Socratic method based on asking and answering questions to stimulate critical thinking and draw out ideas and underlying presuppositions. It can be utilized to bring out definitions implicit in the student's beliefs and to help them further their understanding. It sounds relatively high-brow, but in practice, it is a very powerful diagnostic tool and fun for the student and me. It's one of the main reasons I find teaching Chemistry rewarding.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
After a brief introduction and checking that the screen sharing, audio, and camera are all operating, the first session satisfactorily may include but is not limited to outlining strategies, lesson outcomes, and order of topics to be covered depending on whether it is a single or ongoing session that is requested. The lesson itself will follow this.
What to Expect
Personalized Approach
Tailored to your learning style
Practical Strategies
Easy-to-remember techniques
Exam Preparation
Focused on IB assessments