Samantha O

My name is Samantha and I have an architecture degree. However, due to my passion for teaching, I made a career change to pursue a career in education (specialising in maths). I am currently working as a qualified secondary school mathematics teacher. I have experience in both primary and secondary school\ (mainstream, grammar, SEN and independent schools) and preparing students for 11+ examinations.

As a tutor, I like to know what my students understand in the topics we are working on followed by what they do not understand. Next, I break down what they do not understand to its simplest form and work through it in stages till my student fully understands the topic. Using past test/exam questions, I will assess their knowledge and skills to know what areas there might still be struggles and to familiarise my students with the phrasing, and type, of questions they might get during a test or exam.

My lessons are planned with regards to both what my student is currently learning at school as well as the previous topics they might have been struggling with at school. Through the tutoring process, I will ask for my student’s level of understanding. This could be through a traffic light system where red, amber and green represent if the student is still confused, has some understanding, and feels confident about their understanding of the topic.