My teacher has described me as a mathematics genius, and I am confident in my ability to teach mathematics at the GCSE, AS and A Level level.

Find out more about Ruby

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

  I’ve always enjoyed math and helping friends with it, so I started assisting younger students. This experience sparked my interest in teaching, leading me to pursue private tutoring. I focus on one-on-one sessions to help my tutees grasp topics they may find challenging.

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

  To some, math is just letters and numbers, which is true, but it’s also incredibly powerful. It can solve many real-life problems and has been around for ages, which fascinates me. I enjoy most topics, particularly those based on algebra, like expanding quadratics. However, I’m not a fan of heavily worded questions with vague phrasing that can leave things open to interpretation.

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

  Initially, there wasn’t anyone specific I looked up to; I simply enjoyed helping others in the hope that they would come to love what I do. However, I definitely admired some teachers who were both knowledgeable and willing to admit their mistakes. They would explain their thought processes, which greatly enhanced my understanding and showed me alternative ways to solve problems.

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

  Education shouldn’t be just talking at students. Some people may be fine with a lecture format, but for me, simply reading off slides and droning on didn’t help. I believe there should be elements of interactivity, which comes more naturally when working on math together, but this applies to other subjects as well. While some students may prefer a more straightforward approach and might say what they think you want to hear or claim they don’t understand to move on, incorporating interactive elements is essential for ensuring they truly absorb and grasp key concepts. It’s important to have a strong knowledge of the subject and the patience to recognize that not all students learn at the same pace.


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

  Unfortunately, I don’t have many stories to share. At my grammar school, being in set 1 came with an unspoken expectation to understand everything immediately and to practice independently, but I didn’t do much extra practice. As a result, I struggled with some topics while grasping others, so I tended to push the difficulties aside. Right before my GCSEs, I remember feeling panicked, which led me to binge-watch many online videos. Those simple visual explanations were incredibly helpful, especially compared to just having someone hand me a question.

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

  I’m interested in finding new ways to teach certain areas of math that may overlap, as this can become repetitive. I want my lessons to be more engaging. Additionally, I aim to create more visual methods for presenting information, since I believe everyone learns differently. Visuals, in particular, can greatly enhance students’ understanding.

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

  While I didn’t have specific experiences in school, I’ve always enjoyed doing what I’m good at. Since I was young, I would play school with my sisters and teach them, which made me realize that teaching was a passion of mine. In school, I discovered that I excelled in STEM subjects, especially math.

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

  I strive to make my lessons as effective as possible, drawing on feedback and my own experiences—lessons I wish I had. I aim to maintain a relaxed atmosphere, avoiding a strict teacher-student barrier, as that can feel just like extra school classes and may discourage students from asking questions or being open in discussions. However, I still uphold a level of professionalism, and as generic as it may sound, I ensure that I follow through on my promises to help my students understand and excel in the topics they find challenging.