As a teaching assistant for grade 8 math, I've learned how to effectively teach and communicate with my students. I understand that mathematics may be an area that not many students are strong in, so I generally try to help students understand concepts and equations by explaining not just the "what", but also the "why". I find that in my academic career, understanding how and why things work is always easier than trying to memorize formulas, equations, and concepts. I also try to make my lessons as fun as possible while also helping students learn, engaging students in fun activities or practice, and tailoring lessons to each student.

I think my greatest strength is my ability to personalise my teaching to the student. On one side, my strong academic background allows me to master all the topics, on the other side, the fact that I have recently graduated means I understand the student's point of view very well as I was in their shoes very recently. While I explain topics, I like to frequently check-in with the student to make sure he/she is understanding the explanations.

I begin by teaching the lesson that the student didn’t fully understand, making sure to clarify any confusing concepts. Afterward, I create a brief revision sheet to reinforce the material. I then challenge the student with exercises at different levels of difficulty to gauge their understanding and push their abilities. I also leave them with some independent work to complete at home, allowing them to practice on their own. Lastly, I make sure to communicate with the parents, keeping them updated on the student’s progress and highlighting any areas that may need extra attention.

I believe in a balanced approach between covering concepts and guided practice. I split my lessons into two, covering theory in the first portion and addressing student queries. In the second portion, I go through topical problems to test my student's understanding of the content. Additionally, I teach students how to structure their responses to get the best possible marks in exams. I believe it is important for students to continue practice outside of lessons, and, to this end, I give tailor-made problems as homework.