Kieran

Hello! I have just finished my masters (MLitt) in International Political Theory (IPT) at the University of St. Andrews in August 2017. My expertise lie in Political Thought, Political Philosophy and International Relations. However, I also have a thorough and advanced understanding of Political Science, Comparative Politics, American Politics and Foreign Policy, Foreign Policy Analysis and British Politics. Therefore, I am equipped in my understanding of the political to teach at all levels of education. Alongside this, my research in the past has been published. At undergraduate level I ascertained a First Class Honours degree and achieved awards for my work (Highest dissertation grade) and participating within the department (Peer Mentoring, Student Ambassador).

Apart from this, I enjoy a range of activities and hobbies from music, to painting, art, theatre, literature, conversation, sports, cinema etc. I am a caring, communicative, well-rounded, friendly and focussed person, who is passionate and willing to teach any who are interested to learn about Politics as a whole.

Tutoring Experience

In the past I have tutored a number of people of all ages, needs and abilities in different subjects; from GCSE, to A-Level and University Level. When I was seventeen a neighbour asked me if I could tutor her son in GCSE mathematics as I had recently taken my maths GCSE and achieved a very high grade. This was the beginning of my experience tutoring and I went on to continue tutoring in a range of subjects from Maths, to English, History and Politics. Mostly this had been on a one to one level with family friends for an hour or so a week for a small fee or favour. By the time I was in my second year of university I had begun tutoring other students of my discipline both in my academic year group and younger. In my last year at University, I was asked to be a peer mentor for my subject, as a high achieving and passionate student. Looking back, this was one of the greatest opportunities given to me at university as I was tutoring eight individuals extra-curricular politics of whatever they felt needed addressing. This was an amazing experience as it allowed for me to get to grips with how politics and philosophy should be taught on a one to one level with individuals of all abilities from the high achieves thirsty for more, to those that simply need a push in the right direction. Now I tutor a plethora of students in Politics, Philosophy and International Relations. Since I was seventeen my teaching experience has been something of a jewel for me as it has shown me that the process of teaching is also of learning, and that we are all students at different levels and different needs.

Tutoring Approach

My approach to tutoring wholly depends on the student or individual in question. The first session I dedicate towards finding how the student wishes to be tutored, be it through a question and answer session, a lecture environment, or even an interactive environment. This does not mean however my approach is unstructured, however it centres itself on finding quickly the best way the student learns and then structuring tutorials around this, to get the best out of every different student; as every student is an individual. Nevertheless my approach is focussed but fun, and as formal or informal as the student desires.