Chemistry Science Tutoring Offered - Post Graduate and Undergraduate Science, offering chemistry tuition for the following -Foundational, Biochemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Food Biotechnology and Foo

Find out more about Kieren

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

  I've always been fascinated by Science as a subject matter, as it gives a blueprint for the reasons things happen in the world and draws the gaps between what we perceive as normal day to day life, against what is millions of points of data and information that tell a story as to why the common thing occurs.
  
  Chemistry specifically always stood out to me, as it's within everything we do; but in discrete ways. It forms the architecture of living and non-living things, and I've always believed that understanding the inquisition of how the world works is one of the fundamentals for overall educational growth, and development into a well resourced and strongly analytical business professional.
  
  Private tutoring is a rewarding way for me to give back to students the generosity and care that was given to me through my education journey. I have High Functioning Autism, and was provided a high level of support through my education journey. So to some degree, reciprocation of that care and attention is something that I get a lot of fulfillment from

• 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 currently teach chemistry as well as certain biological sciences such as biology, human biology, microbiology, biochemistry. For Chemistry my favourite topic to explain is stoichiometry and gravimetric analysis, as it's historically the one that students struggle with the most. I like to keep it as simple as possible without taking away from the educational integrity of the information.
  
  My least favorite topic within Chemistry is orbital theory. I personally don't think it brings a lot of utility for the broad selection of sciences using chemistry in an applied sense, and is very tricky to understand for something that barely gets used.

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

  My year 12 high school secondary teacher was very encouraging with his help and endorsement of Chemistry and we still remain friends today. I think his patience and willingness to help me out, especially after school in his own time was very well appreciated.

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

  I think being patient, affirming and engaging are critical in student learning outcomes. You could be the most intelligent tutor on the platform, but it means very little if your students are either disengaged with you and your tutoring style, or don't understand what you're teaching them. The best teachers I have ever had were a healthy mix of informed, but also had great interpersonal skills.

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

  When I was in Year 11 I didn't do very well at Chemistry and felt that I was dumb and incapable of passing the subject. I passed for the year, but was pretty disengaged on it. My year 12 teacher took the frustrations I had, and we crunched it out. I did better that year, but felt that I was capable.
  
  I went into university the next year and did Chemistry 1 and 2. I got subject awards for the university for both Chem 1 and 2, and got an academic excellence award for the science school. All it took was a nudge to say I'm capable. No one is dumb, or "doesn't get chemistry".
  
  It's like someone saying I can't drive, when they haven't taken lessons, practiced or built up hours. With anything, your brain is like a muscle and the more stimulation you provide it, the more easily it soaks in new information and adapts to a new subject. Chemistry is learnable, and I would encourage any student who thinks that they're not capable to just stay the course. Failure only happens when you stop trying.

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

  Chemistry, like most core sciences; involves a very specific approach of application, which is equal parts analytical, problem solving, intuition, memory based and collaborative. It involves a very high learning curve to start with, which is usually very demoralizing. I didn't escape this challenge, but through endorsement and pushing myself, I learnt to soak in the information much better and find more effective manners to study.

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

  Specifically speaking, I love talking about things that I'm interested in which is why Superprof appealed as a means to educate students to achieve their outcomes, as I think passion can translate pretty well in a teaching context. For me however, I'm a big foodie and have always enjoyed trying different foods and going to different restaurants and cafes. My bachelor is actually in Food Science, and I worked as a food microbiologist and chemist for a period of time.

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

  I believe that I am a Superprof due to my well recognised interpersonal skills and determination to go the extra mile for my students. I care about the work I do in whatever aspect it manifests, and always strive to never let my students down wherever possible.