Passionate Maths Tutor | Making Maths Easy from Year 4 to NCEA Level 3

Find out more about Panduka

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

  I developed my interest in tutoring in 2016, during my BSc studies. At that time, I started tutoring mathematics to students and quickly realized how much I enjoyed explaining concepts and helping others understand difficult topics. With this strong interest, I worked as a volunteer Teacher in Thailand, where I taught mathematics to students in rural schools. I have attached some pictures I took while I am volunteering in Thailand (1, 2, 3). That experience was very meaningful to me and showed me how powerful education can be.Since then, I have continued private tutoring not just as a side hustle, but as a life fulfilment, because I genuinely enjoy sharing knowledge and supporting students in their academic journey.
  (I am currently teaching with 2 institutes in New Zealand and one of that image has attached below as 4)

• 2) 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 mainly teach Mechanical Engineering subjects for bachelor’s and diploma students. These include Mathematics, Fluid Dynamics, Thermodynamics, Mechanics and Strength of Materials, Statics, Dynamics, Mechanical Design, and Manufacturing. In addition, I teach engineering software such as SolidWorks and Fusion 360, which are widely used for mechanical design. I particularly enjoy topics where theory can be clearly connected to real engineering applications. I focus on helping students understand the logic behind the concepts rather than memorising formulas.

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

  I have been inspired by many teachers I learned from, especially by the way they transformed complex concepts into simple ideas. However, over time I developed my own teaching style. This is reflected in my students’ reviews, where many mention that concepts were explained very clearly and that they gained a strong understanding of the core theory.

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

  First, a tutor must have the ability to understand a student’s learning capability and level of understanding. Once this is clear, the tutor can adjust the lesson speed, depth of explanation, and number of practice questions accordingly. In addition, a good tutor needs strong subject knowledge, patience, adaptability, and the ability to explain complex ideas in a simple and structured way.

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

  During my engineering studies, I once struggled with applying theoretical concepts to problem solving in mechanics. By breaking problems down into fundamentals and visualising forces step by step, everything started to make sense. Later, I found myself helping classmates understand the same concepts. This experience showed me the importance of structured explanation and strongly influenced my tutoring approach.

• 6) What were the difficulties or challenges you faced or still face in your subject?

  One of the biggest challenges is when students approach me very close to their exams, sometimes with only two weeks left and little prior understanding. In such cases, I arrange multiple sessions per week and focus on building the essential concepts quickly and effectively. While this is challenging, I have successfully helped many students achieve good results, and many of them choose to continue lessons throughout their programme.

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

  My passion is spending time on concept clarity and making sure students fully understand the fundamentals before moving forward. This helps students avoid learning like parrots and instead develop real understanding. I also create custom lesson plans, explanations, and learning strategies for each student, depending on their individual learning ability.

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

  Firstly, my strong academic background, including a Master of Engineering with First Class Honours from AUT and a Washington Accord–accredited BSc Engineering (Hons) degree. Secondly, my long-term passion and experience in tutoring. Finally, my patient, calm, and structured teaching style, which helps students feel comfortable and confident while learning complex mechanical engineering concepts.