Junior Cert Science grinds tutor with a Bachelor of Science degree from University College Cork and with over 4 years of tutoring experience offering Science grinds.

Find out more about Brian

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

  I developed an interest in teaching from a love for talking about things I'm interested in and helping people. I started giving classes after I left school and I enjoyed it even more than I expected.

• 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 teach Biology, Science, French, Spanish and English. My University degree was in Biotechnology and I was in love with the science, and have found a lot of enjoyment in explaining complicated aspects in an simpler way. As for languages I have always had a passion for French and always thought it was the most beautiful language I'd heard. Since learning French I spent a year travelling in Latin America where my French knowledge greatly helped me in learning to speak Spanish. I began to teach French, Spanish and my native language, English, where I found the same enjoyment in sharing my passions with other people.

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

  I had many teacher role models in school and in university and always admired any teacher who could impart their passion in the subject and have always tried to emulate that in my own work.

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

  I think that above any other quality, compassion is what makes a good teacher. The ability to understand the student and how to best explain something to them as well as a genuine want for them to learn and to be patient with them and their particular needs.

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

  A university professor of mine once said 'If you set the bar, you'll always hit your head'.

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

  As for my own difficulties in learning, I think that with regards to language learning and even science, I'm extremely interested in these areas but not particularly talented and it was hard work more than anything that got me to where I am. I find though that this makes me a better teacher as I can understand the perspectives of students who might be struggling, and know a lot of ways to make things easier and less complicated than they can seem.

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

  My passion more than teaching, language learning or science in particular, is actually learning. I love learning and the feeling it gives and think that there is nothing better you can do for yourself than to continue learning, at any stage of life.

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

  What makes me a superprof, I would say, are my people skills. I think that knowledge of the target subject is never enough to be a good teacher, and in my classes I always value the incorporation of a good relationship with the student and putting them at their ease so that they can learn more effectively and enjoy themselves.