Share:- Facebook Twitter LinkedIn StumbleUpon Digg Delicious Reddit

Hi! Here are answers to common questions that people ask... if you can't see the answer to something you are interested to ask me... then you are welcome to contact me and you'll get a personalised reply, plus I'll probably add it to this page.

• Are you really a Dr? Yes! I have a PhD in Environmental Science from the University of East Anglia. My first degree was in Physics and the PhD is essentially a Physics degree done within an Environmental Science department.
• Why do you have a website? I am a self-employed teacher/activity-leader and run the website so you have somewhere to come and check what is running and find out how to join in public activities and/or hire me for private work. Simple! I'll also be publishing learning materials and games soon and I'll be using the website for that too.
• I'm a bit confused. What is your job? I basically have two jobs. I am a Wildlife Guide and also a Maths Tutor. All the other stuff is just to confuse you! Well, basically all the other stuff is on the website because I have hobbies (like most people) and I just ended up adding them to this website. But: Wildlife and Maths! Wildlife and Maths! They are my actual jobs!
• OK, so lets start with the Wildlife-Watching... tell me more! I got a pair of binoculars for my 8th birthday and have been enjoying Wildlife Watching ever since... that's why I chose to continue my work in Physics in an Environmental Sciences department after my first degree... it is the most consistent thing I have done over the years... see my Wildlife is Fun! section to find out more.
• Why are you a Maths Tutor? I studied Maths at university (as part of my Physics degree) and my PhD (in Environmental Science) had a lot of Maths in it too. I ran my first tutorial many years ago and is has now one of my two real jobs (along with my wildlife guiding)!
• Why don't you tutor Physics instead of Maths? A number of reasons. (1) Physics has more emphasis on remembering key facts and concepts... I believe there is less of a role for a tutor in this subject. It is still definitely useful but I do not think it is as useful as in Maths. (2) Maths is (in my experience) the subject where a tutor can have a really massive impact... it all comes down to a small number of skills that if understood properly make it so much easier... hence I find it more rewarding. (3) There is simply more demand for Maths tutoring... and as it takes a lot of work to stay current on the different syllabuses and exam contents I choose to specialise in just one subject, i.e. Maths.
• Why are you a Dance Teacher? I've been dancing for almost 20 year now... and my scientific brain could not resist simplifying it and making it easier to understand... and it sort of followed naturally that I began teaching it as I already enjoyed teaching Maths/Science. It is not an actual main job! However, before it was demoted (and replaced with tutoring) it was my main job along with the wildlife guiding for a while. I still DJ at parties and run dance workshops... but not so much any more. Find out more on my Dance page or just contact me directly.
• What about the slightly daft stuff like the sandcastle building and Penguin Improv? These are all just a bit of fun and just basically hobbies that I like to share! It would be great to see you at these... sometimes I charge and this is just to help me cover the costs of hall-hire, advertising, etc.