I have been an electrical installations lecturer for 17 years, In FE colleges and some of the country's leading private training centres.

Find out more about David

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

  I developed an interest in my chosen field when I was approx 12 years old when I helped my uncle with a rewire he was completing in the summer holidays, I learned lots and then later trained to be an electrician in my own right. Teaching cam later and I have been doing it for approx 16 years now. I have taught all over the country and in other countries too, which was great!

• 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 teach all aspects of electrical installation and maintenance, my particular forte is teaching electrical science and also electrical design, I love physics and being able to explain difficult concepts in an easily approachable way. It's always nice to see the lightbulb go on in a students mind, when something clicks and they understand how something works that previously eluded them.

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

  There are several teachers that have inspired me throughout my journey, and I have taken things from almost all of them. Its inspiring to see people who do what they do for the Joy of helping others.

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

  Empathy is the main one, putting yourself in the shoes of those that you are teaching and trying to tailor your tuition to suit their individual learning needs. A good sense of humour also help massively, lightening the mood and making some potentially boring subjects more entertaining.

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

  I have had several students complain about “not being good at maths” I usually ask how often they use algebra in their day to day life? they reply “never”. I then demonstrate that when entering a shop/pub and ask for “2 chocolate bars and a packet of crisps” that they would know what change to expect from a £20 note. This is simply 20-(2x+y) = z and that if they can do it for Shopping they can do it elsewhere. It's all a matter of perspective, finding common ground to start from and building from there.

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

  Not really difficulties but my subject is ever evolving, this is one of the thins I love about it though, as it constantly gives me the opportunity to learn new things, new approaches, or new descriptions that allow for better uptake of knowledge.

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

  I love it when I see the “lightbulb moment” where a student has really struggled with something and then it suddenly clicks into place.

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

  I care about my students, not just then end result. I am willing to match the effort of the student and there is nothing better than a student that was really struggling being able to talk confidently on their chosen subject and seeing how proud they are of themselves.