Medical student, can teach up to advanced highers in sciences and maths

Find out more about Dara

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

  I started getting into tutoring when I helped some classmates who were struggling with certain subjects. I realised I actually enjoyed explaining things in a way that made sense to them. It felt good seeing someone go from confused to confident. That's when I realised I might be good at this, and I've kept going since.

• 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 maths, chemistry, biology, English, and business to students aged 9 to 16. I really enjoy the variety. Even though a couple of lessons have definitely felt the same, I kind of like that routine. In biology, I love talking about how the human body works or weird animal facts. In English, I like helping students find their own voice in writing. Maths is satisfying because you get that clear right or wrong answer. I'd say the trickier part is when students just want to memorise for exams. I prefer helping them actually understand the content, not just cram it.

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

  Yes, my biology teacher was amazing. She made lessons fun and hands-on, and you could tell she cared more about us learning something interesting than just passing an exam. It made a big difference to how I saw school, and it definitely influenced how I teach now.

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

  Patience is a big one. You have to meet students where they're at. Being able to explain things in different ways helps too since not everyone learns the same. I think it's also really important to be encouraging. A lot of students come in thinking they're bad at something, so building their confidence is key.

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

  There was a time I was helping someone who was totally convinced they couldn't do maths. We started with basics, worked slowly, and I kept reminding them that mistakes were just part of the process. A few weeks later, they solved a problem on their own and actually smiled about it. Even better, they came to me after a test absolutely over the moon because they'd just gotten the highest score they'd ever gotten in maths. That moment really stuck with me.

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

  Sometimes the hardest part is balancing everything like school, tutoring, and life. But I've learned how to manage my time better, and tutoring has helped with that too. In terms of subjects, I've definitely had topics that didn't click right away, but I think that just makes me better at helping others because I understand what it feels like to struggle.

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

  I'm really passionate about learning new things, especially anything related to medicine, biology, and how the human body works. I love figuring out how things work and why. That curiosity drives how I learn and how I teach. I also really enjoy one-to-one teaching and seeing students grow in confidence over time.

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

  I care about making learning make sense. I'm patient, I adapt to each student, and I try to make lessons something they actually look forward to. I'm still in school myself, so I know what it feels like to be on the other side, and I think that helps me connect with students in a real way. I don't just teach, I help them believe they can learn.