Sean

I’m an MSc student at Oxford and have a passion for teaching students well. I received my BAI in Engineering from Trinity College Dublin, where I finished top of my class and was elected as a scholar, considered the most prestigious undergraduate award in the country. I have 6 years’ experience tutoring in math-related subjects from KS3 right up to undergraduate level, with previous class sizes ranging from one-to-one to one-to-one hundred. I also have experience in study coaching and in cover letter consulting for university admissions.

How I tutor

The benefit of private tuition is that it gives the tutor the opportunity to adapt the teaching process to the student, not the other way around. I use and have come across plenty of techniques for teaching and learning, but this stands at the core of what I think makes a great tutor: to see the problem from the student’s eyes, and to guide their reasoning towards the solution or concept. I encourage use of a range of techniques for learning and retaining information, and outline methods for performing best on the day. 

Why I tutor

I want to have a career which involves teaching in some capacity, because I enjoy breaking hard things down into simple pieces and communicating them. I find fulfilment in taking a problem a student is finding challenging, seeing it from their perspective and leading them in a direction that makes them say ‘Is that all there is to it?’. I’m curious, and I try to inspire others to be too.

Experience

I have six years’ experience tutoring at secondary-school level. I’ve held revision lectures for undergraduate cohorts, privately tutored for classes of up to four students, and have worked as a teaching assistant for undergraduate engineering maths courses. I’ve been through plenty of tutorials which put me to sleep, but some really fantastic ones too, and I try to pick up on what techniques keep people engaged.

Qualifications

Further Education

• MSc candidate in Mathematical Modelling and Scientific Computing, University of Oxford.

• BAI in Electronic and Computer Engineering, Trinity College Dublin. Top of class.

School

• Over 96% in Maths, Physics, and Applied Maths at Leaving Certificate (A-level equivalent).

Other Interests

• My other interests are in sport – rowing, triathlon, skiing, and surfing – and reading, listening to podcasts, and going on adventures.