A bit about Maddie H

I am primarily a maths and science teacher for KS1- A Level and SENDMH. I have experience as a class teacher in both specialist independent and mainstream settings as well as small group and 1:1 tuition. I am an experienced SENDMH educator who has worked in PRU/high risk education settings for those with SENDMH as well as complex needs, trauma informed and Steiner settings. I work in a nurture and sensory-profile friendly manner, ensuring the best interest of the student is always at heart. I am open to ‘special interest’ bespoke lessons for children needing a softer, holistic approach to general education. My style of teaching is relaxed, conversational and with minimal PowerPoint usage - these are usually only provided for out of lesson additional information. I prefer to teach from a visualiser with paper, pens and my variable drawing skills (my students affectionately call them dodgy diagrams) so lessons are fluid, dynamic and can respond to the learners needs as the lesson progresses. I provide low engine time to give brain breaks, time away from the screen or a little off topic conversation if desired. I also recap previous learning from our lessons and with new topics I do not assume previous knowledge and will recap to ensure knowledge gaps are identified and closed. My lessons are also occasionally visited by my elderly cat who likes to make a guest appearance and cause a little chaos! I started tutoring 18 years ago when I was starting out as a forensic biologist and lab technician to help out some family friends and have kept doing it since. As my career progressed, I became a lecturer but as time went on I realised I preferred the small groups and 1:1 teaching aspect of my job and left to teach in schools. I am approaching my 19th year of teaching in June 2024 - and yes it does make me feel old when I say it! My love of teaching maths and science in general comes from seeing people have those lightbulb moments where something makes sense for the first time, they realise how something in the world works or they just think it is really interesting. I love seeing the wonder and curiosity education can bring to a persons life and the appreciation for the beauty and connections of the world around us. As a teacher - my love for this profession lies in seeing a person believe in themself and their capabilities. I am a relaxed, conversational style teacher who prefers not to use PowerPoint as part of the lesson. I try to make the lessons fun and fluid so the needs of the student can be addressed as they arise rather than prescribed strict formal lessons. I tend to opt for a visualiser, pen and paper. I can, however, teach to more formal PowerPoint style if that is the preferred learning style of the student. I like being a tutor as it gives me the freedom to help people in a more personalised, bespoke way and teach in a method that best suits them - rather than the restrictions and confines of big class sizes and generic teaching to get through the syllabus content. I also enjoy not having to wear formal clothes, can cuddle my elderly cat throughout the day and have an endless supply of tea to drink! Nobody is stupid, thick or cannot be educated. Everybody can learn - you just need someone who understands you, how you learn and most importantly - believes that you can do it. We all have something we are talented at - it would be a rather boring world if everyone was the same and could do everything perfectly! My students have told me what makes me, my classroom and lessons enjoyable is because I am relaxed, will have fun and have a good sense of humour but my priority is always their welfare. I encourage laughter, love a good Dad joke and can read the room. I get to know my students so I know their moods and adjust accordingly. I can be energetic, but also quiet and subdued. My greatest successes in teaching have been watching my students develop from having no faith in themselves to believing in themselves and their own abilities. Everyone has their own goals they want to achieve, big or small. I love watching people reach their goals but mostly seeing the belief in themselves grow over time I have 18 years experience in teaching at various levels in both practical and theoretical lesson formats. I have a PGCE in Secondary Science with Biology, QTS and successfully passed the NQT year. I also have a first class honours degree in forensic biology, A Levels in the three sciences and maths, as well as GCSEs. In addition, I have an independent safeguarding certificate, prevent, enhanced DBS on the update service and numerous training courses for working with SENDMH. I love the natural world and how everything is connected, I find things daily to be awed by. I wanted to teach to pass on this wonder and awe of the world. I also wanted to be the cheerleader for the people who felt like they had been forgotten about in the education system and/or led to believe they were stupid or unteachable. No one is unteachable - they just have not found the right teacher and way to learn. In my spare time I go for long walks in the middle of nowhere or along the beach, or go to the gym where I enjoy HIIT, free-weights and Latin Dancercise/Zumba. I also swim 5k a few times a week if I need to find my zen and the pool is not too cold! I am an avid gamer - love indie games, Borderlands, a bit of escapism in games like Animal Crossing, and I continue to play Pokemon. I am currently spending my time between my switch and exploring PalWorld with all its glitches! I also enjoy anime, big Studio Ghibli fan. I do like a bit of a streaming site binge watch for series like The Witcher, Shadow and Bone, Rick and Morty etc. Most importantly, I am the servant of an elderly, very needy cat called Darcey who rules the household and my life! She makes guest appearances in my online lessons. I can teach Edexcel, AQA, OCN, WJEC exam boards. I am experienced in teaching KS1-A Level as well as adult learners of different levels and needs. I am also experienced in Steiner education, AIMS and the bespoke education plans for those with SENDMH, trauma, out of education and/or home schooling requirements. I am a qualified teacher with QTS and 18 years experience teaching KS1-KS5, GCSE and A-Level maths, science and SENDMH. I have worked as an examiner for Edexcel in 2020-2022 and assessed Pearson Functional Skills. I am an ex-lab tech/researcher who part-time lectured in molecular biology, genetics and forensic science. I left my lab to qualify as a school teacher and never looked back! I have worked in mainstream schools as well as specialist independent SENDMH schools as a class teacher, subject specialist and subject lead. I am trained in nurture, holistic and Steiner education methods and sensory-profiling. I am a fun-loving, relaxed teacher who wants the best for my students and to help them reach their goals whilst building their self-esteem and confidence in their capabilities.