Professional Engineer with University Honours Grade and NCEA Excellence Endorsement. Personalised Tutoring for Mathematics, Science & Engineering papers. Co-Founder of Elev8 Academy. 

Find out more about Patrick

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

  Since I was little I wanted to work in tech. Being fortunate enough to know my interest at such young age, I pursued a career in electrical engineering. Having understood the difficulties of engineering school, I gained interest in wanting to help kids fulfill their goals - to have a fulfilling academic journey.
  
  Private tutoring has allowed me to built a personal relationship through mathematics and physics. Not only I enjoy the topic as I have a nack for learning about the "hows" of the world and being able to share and navigate those concepts to my tutees and them finding the solution and truly understanding the concepts is what inspired me to teach.

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

  I teach mathematics, physics, and what I enjoy the most is when we get into the "why" behind concepts, not just memorizing facts or formulas. I like real-world applications and helping students connect the dots - like how a mathematical formula relates to something in everyday life, or how a historical event shapes the present. The topics I like a little less are the ones that are more about rote memorization - not because they're not important, but because they can be a bit harder to make exciting.

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

  I like, nikola Tesla, he discovered alternating current electricity. Generation over long distances and overall just changed how we produce and consume electricity. His work has helped the world even today.

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

  Patience, definitely. Every student learns differently and at their own pace. Empathy is just as important - understanding where a student is struggling emotionally, not just academically. And adaptability. What works for one student may not work for another, so being flexible and creative in your approach makes all the difference.

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

  Back in engineering school we learned Fourier series expansion. I did the process iteratively but I didn't know that we I could have just coded in matlab so I can get my answer. If anyone knows matlab can solve a lot of mathematical equations , it's such a powerful tool.

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

  One of the ongoing challenges is staying updated and keeping things engaging. Subjects evolve, and so do students' interests and attention spans. Sometimes the challenge is less about the subject itself and more about finding new ways to keep it alive and relevant for each individual student.

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

  I'd say teaching is a big passion. There's something deeply satisfying about making a difference, even in small ways and in someone's learning journey. But beyond that, I also love DIT projects, wood works, design modelling as It helps me stay creative and bring a different perspective and inspirations.

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

  I genuinely care. I don't just show up to explain things and leave. I want to understand each student's unique challenges, goals, and learning style. I adapt, I listen, and I try to create a space where they feel safe to make mistakes, ask questions, and grow. Based on my review by my students I am so happy about the impacts that's I've made to every students I have taught.