John

My work in the community over the last 15 years has focused on change and development in a range of areas connected to projects I have been involved in which have been based on a person-centred approach with all ages. My extensive social work experience will inform future practice; given my ability to apply specific knowledge in challenging situations, as will my experience in facilitating opportunities for disabled people, young people and adults. I have a considerable voluntary work background and always display an ethical, empathic, practical and positive interaction in my approach. I am a dedicated, concerned and caring professional with a deep sense of compassion and personal responsibility. I am able to communicate well at all levels in addition to being smart and well mannered, well organised, thorough, methodical and diligent. Also I am flexible and enthusiastic, keen to ensure that all targets and requirements are met or exceeded and consistently work to the highest standards.

Tutoring Experience

I have taught English for the past ten years; during this time I have engaged learners and developed their thinking of the subject area and improved their standards and grades. My experience in the community prior to this gave me the necessary people skills to manage case loads and develop projects. I have delivered sessions through various different means, including practical exercises, role play, presentation, demonstration, group work and through participation in the community. I found linking different mediums useful in presenting the information and making it accessible for the learners using language to be instrumental in making connections. I enabled personal and community change empowering people through creativity and giving them the tools to solve solutions themselves in an informal environment.
Other teaching practice involved students at entry level with special educational needs where they merged the spoken and written word with fine art; this was achieved through a number of activities which engaged the learner and helped them achieve given their limitations. Through giving presentations and giving the learners opportunities to practically engage with the subject I could see my teaching intervention was instrumental. I worked in collaboration with other organisations and assisted in workshops led by professional artists facilitating group work. I also had a role in an end of year art show led by the students and contributed individual pieces of writing to accompany art work done by the students in the concluding exhibition.
My role as a visiting artist involved weekly art sessions with groups of students translating works into different media and infusing the narrative into pieces of art. I assisted the students in the preparations for their end of year art show and wrote a short story for the students on a fictional journey which was later recorded. This concept was also collaboratively made into a piece of visual art and shown during 'Art Week'.

Tutoring Approach

I aim to make learners feel quickly at ease with my warm, ‘can-do’ approach, and boost their self-esteem with lots of praise. I focus the lessons on whatever the student most needs to learn and where possible like to link in with what the student is currently learning. Using this approach, the student gains confidence through learning, and away from a packed classroom is able to discuss areas they feel they need to improve in an open and honest way.