Layla-Mae M.

Hi, I’m Stephen, a passionate and determined educator who loves learning and sharing that enthusiasm with others. I strive to create a learning space filled with curiosity and wonder, whether in literature or the sciences, helping students explore, question, and grow. Watching my students progress step by step and reach new heights is what drives me as a teacher. Outside of teaching, I’m a gamer, a photographer, and a farmer. Lately, I’ve also been diving into writing, exploring storytelling as another way to inspire and create. I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in biology, majoring in microbiology. Throughout my studies, I had multiple opportunities to tutor others, which sparked my passion for education. Later, I branched out into teaching English to ESL students, where I found great fulfillment in helping learners grow in confidence and communication. Each year, my experience deepens, becoming more specialized as I refine my approach to teaching. I take pride in my ability to adapt seamlessly, both in the moment and through careful planning, to ensure each student gets the support they need to succeed.

I've been a tutor three years now, helping dozens of students. If you are interested, I'd be happy to put you in contact with some of them so that you can chat about anything you're interested. I'll work with you in conversation, which'll brings us intellectually close to each other. This allows empathy to guide the learning process. One of the challenges I often face is answering an insightful question. If I'm not able to do it independently, I focus on relating to you through a simpler concept we are both familiar with. By breaking this concept down into smaller pieces and unveiling our own understanding of it, we enlighten ourselves. The thing I enjoy most about teaching is learning about you. I help with a tough concept or methodology by relating my presentation to how you reckon already known matters. This process will familiarize us with your subject's topics. This is the reason why we'll mostly avoid memorizing stuff. - Do you find lectures boring? If so, you'll find my lessons a perfect fit! Our lessons won't be old-school. Whether you're cutting your teeth with tuition or not, you'll be in conversation with me. As your tutor, I'll share thoughts back and forth and build our understanding of your subject's concepts and methods. - Do you find yourself in stupor at school? From our very first class, I'll lead you to explore and become your own coach, so that you can see results after the first two weeks. We don't need to learn by heart most of the things required to pass with flying colors. As your mentor, I pursue with fervor the breaking down of concepts and getting to the bottom of them. Once we achieve this, you won't have to revise said concepts ever again. - What if you find exams particularly tough? Isn't it annoying when you know the material but still can't get those marks? I offer exam preparation and methods to get those precious marks. We'll read the questions together and work on writing expression. See you soon in the classroom! ===== ** NOTE ** - taking only students that are interested in 3 lessons per week or more ===== - Subjects I teach: - Lower level: Writing, History, Physical Ed. - GCSE: Writing, Computer Science, Physical Ed. - AS-level: Writing, Math, Biology and Physics. - A-Level: Biology. - Languages: Spanish (native speaker) and English as a second language. I completed Secondary School in Life Sciences and hold a Vocational School Diploma in Biomedical Science. I took first-year University courses in Chemistry and Engineering. These included subjects like Physics, Biology, Statistics, Algebra, Calculus, etc. Lastly, I'm a self-taught personal trainer. Throughout this particular academic endeavour, I studied biomechanics and anatomy, with a solid knowledge of their application to weightlifting.

After 20 years of secondary school classroom teaching in English and History, I am branching out into online teaching. I taught in London, at Walthamstow for my probationary year in 1991, and have since taught in South Africa, in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. I run Parkrun, grow and sell organic vegetables, and enjoy wilderness walking. After A Bachelor of Arts in History and English, at Wits University in Johannesburg in 1984, I did a postgraduate Higher Diploma in Education, in English and History. I then taught in London and South Africa for nine years, during which time I qualified with a Bachelor of Education in Applied Linguistics, from Wits University. In 1998, my family and I went to Vancouver, British Columbia, for me to study a Masters Degree in Theology. We returned to SA in 2002. In 2016, I graduated with a PhD in History, at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. I am currently enrolled for my TTA TEFL certificate, Level 5, to qualify and teach EFL, from April 2025.

I am a qualified Teacher with five years of experience, specialising in Mathematics and Computer Science. I have a proven track record of successfully preparing students for a variety of examinations, including A-Level, Edexcel entrance exams, GCSE, 11+, and private school entry assessments. My teaching approach is designed to make these subjects both engaging and accessible, fostering deep understanding and confidence in my students. My ultimate goal is to empower learners to achieve their full academic potential. University Of Portsmouth BSC Mathematics and Education. University Of Portsmouth Msc Computer Science ITG Instructor Training Limited Level 4 Award in Education and Training ITG Instructor Training Limited Level 3 Award in Education and Training OPLEX CAREERS Teaching Assistant A-Levels GCSE: All B's in my Subject