Energetic and enthusiastic Maths tutor with a degree in mathematics and over 8 years of experience teaching a range of ages from primary school to A level. Online and in the Berkshire/Hampshire area.

Find out more about Emilia

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

  I've loved maths since I was very young - my older brother was also very into maths and would teach me the things he was learning in school at home. I think I've always liked the satisfactory feeling when you finally understand something and everything comes together and you come to the right answer. When I was 15 I started teaching maths to others - aiming to help other people enjoy maths as much as I did. I found a new passion in teaching and continued this alongside my degree - working for a charity that allowed me to go into schools and tutor children that otherwise wouldn't have had access to private tuition. After leaving university I started travelling and this is where I discovered online tutoring. I'm 24 now and have learned a lot in my almost 9 years of teaching but I think my original aim of making learning maths fun still shines through.

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

  One thing I like to discuss with my students across all levels and topics is the reasoning behind mathematical concepts. I often find that in schools because of the need to teach lots of topics very quickly, teachers miss out on explaining the reasons behind certain rules in maths. I find that having these conversations with my students can really help to deepen understanding and allow the student to move away from trying to memorize how to do something and instead use existing knowledge and problem solving skills to answer questions.

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

  When I was in school my teacher, like me, clearly loved maths. He would often be visibly excited when explaining things and I think his enjoyment made learning a lot easier and a lot more fun. He also had a fantastic way of pitching things at an appropriate level for different students - ensuring classes weren't so difficult for those who struggled more but then challenging those who needed to be challenged. I try to take this into my own lessons (although it's a lot easier 1 on 1) by curating a positive and relaxed atmosphere as well as starting lessons a little below the level of the student and then throughout the class slowly pushing until we often reach a higher level than the student thought they could achieve!

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

  Of course, the first quality that often comes to mind is a strong subject knowledge, and whilst I agree that this is very important in a tutor, I think a good tutor needs to also be able to make students feel at ease and comfortable. This creates a learning environment where the student can feel relieved from the pressure that a lot of kids feel in class which prevents them from trying things for fear of failure. A relaxed environment also makes learning a lot more enjoyable, and there are various studies proving that students are more likely to be successful in subjects they enjoy and can engage better with. Another quality I think is important is a passion for what you're teaching. I think positivity and excitement is often contagious, and so like my teacher in school, having and showing joy for what you teach is key to a productive lesson.

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

  I remember in year 7 at school when we were learning about lowest common multiple and highest common factor, I realised that you could find the lowest common multiple of two numbers by multiplying them together and dividing by the highest common factor. I told this to my teacher and he said I was the only student that ever taught him any maths. Looking back I think he obviously knew this already, but the confidence and excitement I got from feeling like I'd discovered something new was amazing!

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

  Maths is neverending! There are always new challenges, new proofs and new problems to solve. Part of the reason maths is so enjoyable is that it is always a challenge.

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

  Teaching maths is certainly one passion of mine, though I also enjoy fitness and being outdoors - things like trekking, cycling, camping etc. I think it's nice to have a balance between doing things that challenge you mentally and doing things that challenge you physically.

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

  I think all maths teachers have a broad understanding of the subject, myself included, but what makes me a superprof is my understanding of people. It's one thing to be able to explain a concept, but what I think is equally as important is understanding your student. Not only in adapting the lesson to fit the learning style of each student, but also knowing when they need to be pushed, when they need to slow down, when they need an easier question to build confidence and when they need to move on from one topic to another.