Experienced Maths & English Teacher, Primary - GCSE - Entrance Exams - 11+ - Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning

Learn more about Jay

• When did you develop an interest in your chosen field and in private tutoring?

  I always loved maths and English as a young child and I even remember my late grandad telling me that I would be a teacher one day. Reading was my number one hobby and, when I stumbled across some old algebra workbooks from my uncle, I discovered a passion for numbers and problem solving too.

• Tell us more about the subject you teach, the topics you like to discuss with students (and possibly those you like a little less).

  I teach maths and English to children and adults, so my day-to-day lessons can be really quite varied. This is what I love about my job - I can be helping a student in China to learn new vocabulary in the morning and working with an adult learner who never got on with maths at school in the evening.

• Did you have any role models; a teacher that inspired you?

  I had two very inspirational teachers at secondary school and I think they must have had something to do with me choosing the profession myself. My graphic design teacher wore clumpy red boots and drove a battered red transit, so she was instantly intriguing when she joined our school. It also turned out that she could make any lesson fascinating and enjoyable. My religious studies teacher was an enormous man with a booming Glasgow accent and he taught me to have a great respect for anyone from any background.

• What do you think are the qualities required to be a good tutor?

  Patience and the ability to listen and adapt. Each student is an individual with unique skills, needs and strengths. Private tutoring allows for a tailored learning experience.

• Provide a valuable anecdote related to your subject or your days at school.

  I remember a history lesson in the early days of secondary school. We were learning about the French Revolution and our teacher wanted us to feel passionate and inspired, so they asked all the students to stand on the desks and shout about anything we had an issue with. I'm not sure health and safety would allow this now, but it certainly sticks in my mind as an effective lesson!

• What were the difficulties or challenges you faced or still facing in your subject?

  I have to be honest: I'm not a fan of Harry Potter. Students of all ages tell me about their love of these books and I just can't get into them. It hasn't caused any problems so far...

• Do you have a particular passion? Is it teaching in general or an element of the subject or something completely different?

  I think I'd have to settle on three passions: teaching a huge variety of students; painting little pictures; and collecting super-colourful jumpers.

• What makes you a Superprof (besides answering these interview questions :-P) ?

  I genuinely enjoy teaching and I think this is why my students always seem to have a good time in my lessons. They're often surprised when I say it's the hour is up and, if I can make time fly when someone is working on trigonometry problems or discussing Shakespearean language, I think I've done a good job for the day.