Catriona Mccoig

I teach online using Microsoft Teams, which allows me to use a shared whiteboard that both the student and I can work on throughout the lesson. I want my lessons to be interactive, so I encourage students to work through problems with me rather than simply watching me solve them.
I usually begin by asking whether there are any "danger" topics that the student particularly struggles with. We then go back to the fundamentals of these topics to make sure they have a strong foundation before moving on to more challenging questions.
Once the basics are secure, I like to work through exam-style questions together. I explain each step, highlight useful methods and show students how to recognise common question types. Many GCSE Maths questions follow similar structures from year to year, so learning to spot what a question is really asking - and which method to use - can make exams much less intimidating.
Exam technique is therefore a big focus of my lessons. When I was taking my own exams, one of my biggest strengths was being able to identify the core maths behind a question, even when it was presented in an unfamiliar way. This helped me achieve a Grade 9 at GCSE, an A* (96%) at A-Level Maths and an A in Further Mathematics A-Level. Most importantly, my lessons are always patient and judgement-free. I am always happy to explain something in a different way or go back over a topic as many times as needed. My aim is not only to improve a student's marks, but to help them become more confident and independent when approaching Maths.