David

I am a passionate teacher of Mathematics. I am currently teaching students with low prior attainment in year 7 to high prior attainment in year 13. I have extensive experience teaching KS1 to KS4 and have taught both A-level Maths and further Maths. I have prepared students for the following public examinations, 7+, 11+, 13+, Scholarship Exams, GCSE/IGCSE, Level 2 further maths and A-Levels.

In my current role, as Professional development Lead for the London Thames Maths Hub and Lead practitioner at Harris Academy Bermondsey, I work with various schools on the Development of Math’s teaching. I am an expert on Maths Mastery, which is an approach to teaching mathematics that is built on the idea that anyone can learn maths (not just students with specific minds or skill sets). I have presented my ideas nationally and the impact of this has been far-reaching, as the idea of mastery within mathematics has been spread across a wide range of schools across the country.

Mathematics is my specialism, so I often want to encourage communication and growth through mathematics. However, for many students academic progress is not the only outcome we would be looking for and as a teacher I can help students to build their soft skills. When I was head of a department of 13 Math specialists I had to liaise closely with the SEND (Special Education Needs and Disability) team to provide targeted support for students with, autism, ADHD, SLCN and dyslexia. In addition, as a classroom teacher I work with students that have a wide range of SEN at a variety of ability and ages. I have learnt to be very adaptable, modifying my communication and classroom environment to suit the individuals I teach.

In addition, my work with the Department for Education as part of the Shanghai teacher exchange programme has enabled me to further widen my understandings around teaching Mathematics. The skills gained from this exchange have shown me how both the system and culture in Shanghai have helped to profit their mathematics education; this exposure has enabled me to embed elements from Shanghai into my teaching practice.

The privilege of teaching students across this range of ability has enabled me to create dynamic approaches teaching and learning that allow students across a range of abilities to access the curriculum and make progress. As a dyslexic person, I have developed and utilised strategies that enable me to survive academia and achieve a degree in maths but also to survive in the workplace. Through my lived experience I can support students to travers these issues as they come to face them. Outside of teaching I enjoy watching anime, playing badminton and reading manga. I also play the guitar, dominoes and chess as well as learning how to play the piano with my son.