Experienced tutor in physics and mathematics. I hold a doctorate in physics from Oxford and a master's in mathematics of finance from Waterloo University in Canada.

Find out more about Jacqueline

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

  I developed an interest in tutoring when I was 13 years old. A friend of mine was struggling with mathematics. I started going through the lessons taught by our teacher with her. Her grade improved and her final grade was only 5% lower than mine. I found it very rewarding and happy I could help a friend. She is now a scientist at a large pharmaceutical company.
  
  I fell in love with physics when I was 14 years old. I had a friend who was also interested in this field. We had heated discussions but very soon we realised that we both needed to learn a great deal of mathematics if we were to become physicists. This is what we did for the next 16 years: taking courses in mathematics and physics. My focus was particle physics, relativity and quantum field theory but I was also interested in gravitation and cosmology.

• 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 maths and physics at all levels, but mostly ato GCSE and A level students. I have university students as well from time to time.
  My favourite topics in physics are mechanics, electromagnetism, relativity and quantum mechanics and I am best at teaching these topics. In mathematics I enjoy teaching algebra, calculus and differential equations but most topics at A level can be interesting.

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

  I had a teacher in grade 12 at high school in Toronto who saw that I was very interested and eager to learn mathematics. He stayed after school and went through the syllabus for grade 13 with me. This was the final grade for those who would like to pursue studies at university. I learned a great deal from him. He was a very good teacher and explained concepts clearly.
  
  Another very important role model was my doctoral thesis supervisor at Oxford. He is a well known physicist and I was always inspired by how he appeared as if he was in deep thought and would then come up with a completely new idea on how to tackle a particular problem. He was very gentle and patient with me and taught me a great deal.

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

  In my experience, the qualities for a good tutor are a deep knowledge of the subject as well as the ability to read the student to see where the gaps in knowledge are. It is also important to be clear in presenting the lesson, with a clear lesson plan and learning objectives. It also helps a great deal to assign problems. It's the only way to truly understand quantitative subjects such as maths and physics. Kindness and patience also are important factors.

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

  I used to have anxiety giving talks about my work at university. As a doctoral student I had to do this from time to time. After I decided to leave academia and move into mathematical finance, I had to give a final talk to the entire department, which included several prominent professors. I had stopped worrying so much about my presentation because I was changing fields and I gave the best talk I had ever given. The professor emeritus in physics came to tell me that it was a great talk and it's a pity I am leaving the field. This was a good lesson to not worry too much.

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

  It took me a long time to develop the skill of being able to think for myself. Before starting my doctoral studies, I placed a great deal of emphasis on learning techniques as they were taught, just to be able to do well in the courses and exams. The problems were mostly standard and by learning how to solve them I was able to do well. Once I started working on my thesis, the problem was entirely new and I was lost for some time, until one day, I discovered how to tackle it.

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

  Physics is still my passion. I worked in finance for several years, but I always kept track of new discoveries in particle physics and cosmology and still get very excited talking about it. I also love travelling and photography.

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

  Hopefully being able to transmit my love for physics and mathematics to my students and helping them achieve their academic goals and hoping that they will choose these fields for their future careers :)