GCSE Biology, Chemistry, Physics single subjects and Combined Science, and KS3 Science

Find out more about Renee

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

  I started out my teaching career in 1994 while I was doing a BA in French and German. I quickly afterwards took my teaching diploma and began teaching the Cambridge main suite of English language levels (PET, KET, First Certificate, Cambridge Advanced, Proficiency and IELTS). I went on to teach all the above plus Pitman English and ESOL as well as LOCN Maths(!) Westminster College, London. It was while I was doing my Language degree that I became fascinated by post-colonial literature and so I immediately went on to do a MA in National and Internatonal Literatures in English (post-colonial Lit). That lead to teaching English for Academic Purposes and English other English modules as part of the English degree at London Metropolitan University. Alongside this I taught A-level and GCSE in two London Colleges as well as being a Cambridge examiner for a few years.
  
  
  The private tutoring started as a result of frequently being asked by my students to teach them privately.

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

  I came to Science teaching later than the English. I felt that my scientific knowledge was lacking after studying Humanities subjects for so long. So after completing my Masters in Literature, instead of progressing to a doctorate I decided to do a BSc in Zoology. At first it was hard to make the transition from Humanities to Science - a steep learning curve, but by my fourth year I had learned how to get an 'A ' on every assignment. In the last year of the course I felt ready to tackle the more difficult Advanced level subjects and found that I enjoyed them more than anything else. I received the highest grades of any student in Biotechnology and Microbiology and decided to do an MSc in a Microbiology to get more practical lab experience. During the years of my Science studies I worked part-time in Entomology and Genetics laboratories at the Natural History Museum, London, and wrote my dissertation while working with the team in a Malaria research laboratory at University College London. This was an eye opener because I discovered how many hours months and years goes into even the smallest breakthroughs in medical reseach!
  
  
  As I am so interested in both subjects I adore talking to students about both. I suppose I am particularly fascinated with disease and the advancement of medicine so I like to talk to them about that. I am sometimes worried that students my be squeemish about these things though!

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

  I am fortunate to have had a great English teacher at school. I have always loved literature and it was the subject I excelled in at school. I loved her lessons and the way she taught them. I have followed her lead. Actually I visited my old school recently and she is now the Principal. She remembered me!

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

  I have spent a lot of time studying myself and for me, the most important factor is that they know how to teach! There is a technical skill to teaching/tutoring. A tutor can be knowledgeable but it doesn't help a student if they can't communicate that knowledge. Both elements are important. Thirdly, they have to be able to explain in such a way that the student can understand. This often means breaking a concept down to it's absolute grain of an idea and building on that.

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

  I have taught both in a university and in further education colleges and the students in each are very different. I enjoyed the 15 years I spent teaching in a university but I remember one class in particular. In the run up to enrolment I usually worked with my teach interviewing and enrolling students. One year, one of the enrollees was a visually challenged student. I didn't interview him myself but couldn't help wondering what I would do with a student without sight in an English class which involved working with texts, translation, creative writing tasks, etc, and so must admit to hoping he didn't end up with me. Guess what! I got hm of course … and he turned out o be the best student in the class. On the first day, in a class where students were at first reluctant to speak, the young man without sight was not afraid to contribute. He completely changed the whole atmosphere of the class with his warm personality. That term, everyone rallied round to support him even to the extent of making sure he got home safely. On my part, I found creative ways to ensure he could work with the texts we were using by creating extra materials which he could listen to instead of read. He ws an inspiration to everyone. It just goes to show what you can achieve if you really want to learn. He was an inspiration to everyone and a great pleasure to have in the class.

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

  One of the best aspects of teaching Science and Literature is that one never stops learning. I'm still learning all the time - in all the subjects that I teach. Learning doesn't stop. The brain is a muscle they say, and it needs exercise, it also needs rich nourishing food in the form of new knowledge.
  
  
  As far as the technical side of tutoring is concerned, every student is different and some have special needs. Most of my teaching is online these days so finding ways to help students remotely. Some students are more comfortable using the technology that others. Lessons run smoothly when students use webcams, use a computer or laptop, have compatible software and a connection that works.

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

  I have sometimes been asked which of the subjects I teach is my favourite and that has been difficult to answer. I would have answered differently at different times of my life. After 25 years of teaching different subjects - nowadays I even get asked to tutor students in GCSE History, GCSE French and German, although these are not my main subjects. At this time of my life I would have to say that my first and last love is literature. Yet Science provides the other half of the picture.

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

  Versatility, broad-based knowledge and after 4 degrees during 13 years of study and another 15, teaching essay writing I can safely say I know how to write an essay and can teach a student to do the same - but I'm still learning!