Medical doctor offering A-level Biology and GCSE Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Maths lessons - with over 9 years of teaching experience. Has helped countless students achieve A*-As in their exams an

Learn more about Dr Rhiana

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

  I have always had a passion for teaching others - even in school, I was selected for a peer-mentoring scheme to tutor students who were struggling in Mathematics. It was then that I realised teaching was a skill I actually possessed, as I had numerous students coming to tell me that I have a knack for explaining complex ideas in a simple manner. I continued to teach others at every opportunity I got - whether formally or informally - including volubteering to teach swimming to children with learning difficulties. As a career, I have been tutoring since 2016 and have amassed a number of satisfied clients, having received the high grades they'd been wanting.
  
  My interest in the sciences, particularly biology, originated all the way back in school. Ever since I can remember, I've always found sciences, and learning about how the world around us works, a truly fascinating and eye-opening experience. I took my particular love for Biology and decided to pursue a career in Medicine, which has only deepened my understanding of the human body and the many ways in which it can go wrong.

• 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 GCSE mathematics, biology, chemistry and physics, as well as A-level biology. My passion, however, is without a doubt biology - in particular, anything to do with human biology. However, it is well-known that the GCSE and A-level biology syllabi require knowledge on a broad range of topics, which I am more than equipped and familiar with teaching.

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

  When I think about a teacher that inspired me, there will always be one teacher that comes to mind: Miss English, my secondary school science teacher, was without a doubt my role model growing up. Not only were her lessons responsible for my love of the sciences, but her friendliness and openness were qualities that allowed for a learning environment in which I felt comfortable asking questions and further my knowledge beyond what the curriculum required of me.

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

  I believe the knowledge in your field is probably the most obvious quality required to be a good tutor in whatever subject you may be teaching - not only to teach what is required in the syllabus but to answer any questions a student might have beyond this. However, it certainly takes a lot more than being an expert in your field to be able to teach it well. Even the smartest and most experienced of people need a completely separate skillset to be able to convey what they know into digestible and understandable educational modalities. Thus, I believe the ability to explain complex ideas in simple, consumable ways is the most crucial skill of a tutor - i.e. to explain something quite advanced to someone who hasn't the faintest idea of even the basics. As well as this, patience is a quality tutors must have - to acknowledge that some students may not get it the first time you explain it, and that sometimes an alternative explanation altogether is required.

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

  I remember teaching a concept to one of my friends, in a very informal setting, as they were struggling with a piece of homework assigned to us. And by the end of it, the friend made a remark, saying "Wow Rhiana, you should be the one teaching us in class. I understood your way of explaining so much better than Mrs ​____" - and that comment stuck with me to this day. I believe the reason I broke through with this friend is that I first got her to explain the concept so that I could analyse what it was she was not getting/getting wrong. And once I'd figured that out, explaining it was a lot more of a manageable task.

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

  I think in biology, particularly A-level biology, studying A-level chemistry is very useful for understanding of many key concepts. So when I get students who are taking A-level biology without chemistry, things are a little more difficult to explain without going into a whole chemistry lesson.

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

  Teaching, in particular medical education, is definitely my passion. Alongside working as a doctor, I do wish to include medical education in my career at some point.

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

  I believe the feedback and positive responses I've received from my students over these past few years speak for itself. But also, I strongly back myself in being a Superprof - it just takes one lesson with me to see that!