Making Maths Fun and Boosting Grades (GCSE, Nat 5, WJEC all curriculums)

Learn more about Callum

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

  I’ve always liked riddles and puzzles but found Math in school very dull. I’m not sure if it was the school environment or the way it was taught but math in school just didn’t work for me. I think it was because there wasn’t the space to ask the deeper why questions. Without these math loses is mystery and magic and isn’t a puzzle or riddle to be solved but just a boring set of rules.
  
  So instead of learning in class, I would take the books home so I could really investigate the big why questions of maths. Why do things work the way they do? I could go really deep into a concept and spend time thinking about it without having to rush along to the next topic like they do in school.
  
  I started to see it as a beautiful and mysterious world in which all of life and the universe is built
  
  Now If I tell people I teach math they often say “I’m no good at maths” and do not want to talk too much about it. So now when someone asks me what I do for a living I give them this riddle. If I’m half your age now. Will I still be half your age in a year’s time. This usually captivates their curiosity and gives them a better impression of what I do as opposed to what they think I do base on their past experiences.

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

  As much as maths can be fun, there are times especially before exams when it’s about hard work and can feel pretty dull for learners. At times like those I get asked the question like “When will I ever need this stuff?”. I have to be honest and say that often maths doesn’t feel relevant to a young person’s life and much of it won’t be relevant to their futures. It’s important to acknowledge this in the relationship and help learners find motivation through this. Often it’s the case of “let's work really hard now so you can pass these exams and never have to look at another maths book again”

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

  Both yes and no. Many of my teachers did not see the potential I had as my deep-thinking approach didn’t match their teaching. But this also became the inspiration for the kind of teacher I didn’t want to be

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

  I think it’s about understanding humans as much as it's about understanding numbers. Creating a space where people don’t feel judged and can be honest as to where they are at with their current understanding in maths

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

  

I often got in trouble with teachers, not for being disruptive or anything but more for wanting to go really deep into the concept and doing things slightly differently



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

  I love a good challenge and enjoy it when neither the student or I can figure out the answer as it levels the relationship and turns it into a collaboration of minds.

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

  My passion is for working with people and seeing them develop over time and harnessing their abilities. It gives me a buzz when I’ve been part of their journey and have created a work in them they will take forward

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

  I think my ability to support learners in where they are at with their current thinking and lead them little by little towards a deep understanding of the curriculum.