Tutor with 99.95 ATAR, 3x Merits, Highest Math score and multiple scholarships teaches high school and University level Maths and Physics

Find out more about Gautam

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

  As you probably know I am a maths and physics tutor. My interest in these two subjects has pretty much existed since I started going to school. I spent a lot of time learning and practising with my father, a PHD engineer who shared the same passion, competing in extra curricular competitions and going above and beyond in class. And this genuine love for maths and physics led me to start tutoring. I always liked helping my friends in class. This became more common when concepts got harder throughout years 10-12, and that's when I realised how talented I am in tutoring and how much I enjoy it. It's more about explaining a concept or helping someone get a better grade, it's about sharing a passion. And especially with maths, I love seeing the spark in people's eyes when they understand and are confident with a topic.

• 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 like teaching any subject that involves maths or physics, from high school STEM to University dynamics. However, I specialise in Yr 11 and 12 Mathematical Methods, Specialist Mathematics, Physics. As someone who received merits in all three subjects, I like most of the topics in it. I love going over calculus the most, both the differentiation and integration parts of it. I really enjoy teaching it from scratch and feel very comfortable with every aspect of it. The one topic I don't like going over is Motion in physics. Mainly because there isn't a lot to teach, just a bunch of formulas.

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

  I have multiple role models throughout my life, both for studying and teaching. The biggest of them being my father. The person who has guided me taught me and led me through my life. Along with that, I have had many good teachers who inspire not only me but the entire class to learn. I want to carry that same passion to my students.

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

  There are many good qualities the basic ones being knowledge, expertise, being able to explain clearly, being patient, understanding, understanding what the student wants etc. But by far the most important one is treating each student differently because they are different. Knowing the children's weaknesses, strengths and interests. Being able to use that information to create a lesson specific to them, use qualities, personalities and techniques that are the best for them.

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

  Back in year 12, I was known as the go-to person for math help. One time, during a Specialist Mathematics test, my teacher added a tricky question for an extra two marks. The question involved solving a tricky Integral, one we had never seen before. I remember staring at the problem, trying to piece together a solution. Apparently, my teacher saw me during the test and I looked soo focused to the point where I looked mad at the question. After attempting the question three times, I finally realised the trick to solving the question. When the teacher handed back the tests, she was very proud of my solution. From that point onward, not only was I promoted from the go-to person to unofficial tutor, but it also solidified my love for problem-solving and Maths in general.

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

  The biggest difficulty I faced in Maths and Physics has to either the memorization required in physics. I love problem-solving, and cracking away at hard questions, but I really don't like memorizing, but because of the contents of the course, there was way too much to memorize. But, I kept trying and worked my way through it. Before every test, I would spend 2-3 just memorizing.

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

  As aforementioned, for me both the subject and the tutoring is the passion. I love the subjects, problem-solving and love teaching. I love being able to connect with a student and explain a hard concept, and then seeing them understand it and the happiness when they realise they understood it. Every part of it is pure bliss.

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

  What makes me a Superprof is my Academic merits, 99.95 ATAR, 3x Merits, University scholarships, and many Academic awards and extracurricular competitions. Another quality is my flexibility and adaptability. I can work with any student, in any teaching style, in any subject. It's because of my ability to understand every child is different, and you need to treat them as such.