PhD, Experienced Engineer & Researcher — Interactive Math Tutoring Focused on Logic, Not Memorization!

Find out more about Narges

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

  My interest in mathematics started at school, where I enjoyed the logic behind solving problems rather than simply memorising formulas. As I progressed into electrical engineering, I realised how much mathematics is at the heart of understanding engineering, physics and many real-world problems.
  
  I have been involved in teaching and tutoring for several years, including teaching university-level subjects and helping students individually. What I particularly enjoy about private tutoring is being able to adapt the explanation to the student. Sometimes a student doesn't need more practice — they simply need the concept explained in a different way.

• 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 mathematics, from Junior Cycle and Leaving Certificate level to more advanced mathematics.
  
  I particularly enjoy algebra, functions, calculus, trigonometry and problem-solving. I also like helping students understand why a method works, rather than just learning a procedure to reproduce in an exam.
  
  I don't think there is necessarily a topic I dislike — although some topics can initially seem difficult or abstract to students. I actually enjoy those situations because finding a simple way to make a difficult concept understandable is one of the most rewarding parts of tutoring.

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

  Yes. I have had teachers and lecturers who influenced me not only through their knowledge, but through the way they explained difficult ideas. The teachers I remember most were the ones who were patient and encouraged questions instead of making students feel that they should already know the answer.
  
  That has influenced my own approach to teaching. I believe a good teacher should make students feel comfortable saying, "I don't understand this," because that is usually where real learning begins.

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

  Patience is probably the most important quality. Every student learns differently, and a good tutor needs to recognise that.
  
  I also think a tutor needs to be able to explain the same idea in several different ways, listen carefully to what the student is struggling with, and build confidence as well as knowledge.
  
  For me, tutoring is not about simply giving students the correct answer. The goal is to help them develop the ability and confidence to find the answer themselves.

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

  One thing I have noticed throughout my studies and teaching is that a problem that looks extremely complicated can often become much simpler once it is broken into smaller steps.
  
  I remember experiencing this myself when I was studying engineering. Problems that initially looked intimidating often became quite straightforward once I understood what the question was really asking and approached it systematically. It taught me an important lesson that I still use when tutoring: difficulty is not always the same as complexity. Sometimes we simply need to look at a problem differently.

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

  One of the biggest challenges I see is that students can develop anxiety around mathematics. Once they have struggled with a few topics, they may start to believe that they are simply "not good at maths."
  
  I strongly disagree with that idea. Mathematics is a skill that develops with understanding and practice. My role as a tutor is often to help students rebuild that confidence while also identifying the gaps in their understanding.

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

  I have a particular interest in the connection between mathematics, engineering and real-world problems. My academic background is in electrical engineering, and I completed a PhD focused on energy and battery systems.
  
  I enjoy seeing how mathematical concepts that may seem abstract in a classroom are actually used to understand and solve real problems.
  
  Teaching is also something I genuinely enjoy because there is a very immediate sense of achievement when a student goes from saying "I can't do this" to solving the problem independently.

• What makes you a Superprof?

  I bring a combination of strong academic knowledge, engineering experience and teaching experience. I have studied mathematics extensively as part of my engineering education and PhD, but more importantly, I understand what it feels like to learn difficult technical subjects and work through problems step by step.
  
  I try to create a relaxed environment where students can ask questions without feeling embarrassed, while still keeping lessons focused and structured.
  
  My aim is not only to help students improve their grades, but to help them understand mathematics well enough that they become more confident and independent learners.