Matthew Mckenna

Member since Jul 2020

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Details

Key area of interest

Maths

Keywords

Algebra, (pre)calculus, trigonometry, differrential equations

My background

I am currently studying a 4-year integrated-international theoretical physics course at the University of Leeds – with the international year being in Auckland, New Zealand. My international year gave me an incredible chance to experience many other cultures and has granted me with a better perception on life.

I also enjoy reading non-fiction, my recently finished book is Mans Search for Meaning which details the struggles of today’s society due to the decline in animalistic tendencies leading to existential problems. Relativity has always interested me; Gravitation is a 1300-page book which perfectly describes the ins and outs of Einstein’s general relativity from the perspective of Reimann Manifolds – I feel this book should be read by anyone interested in physics and I would very much enjoy one day teaching this material.

In my own time, I enjoy watching and playing cricket at my local club and the park with my relatives. I also cross-country run to keep physically fit with morning and night-time meditation being part of my daily life for many years. My younger sister and I regularly sit at the dinner table where I teach her an increasing amount of mathematics due to her very inquisitive nature.

Experience

Throughout my education I have been consistently accompanied by opportunities to help further the understanding of fellow learners. I have taught students from lower level (SATS, NCEA, etc…) to higher stage 2nd year University level mathematics. The topics covered include: (pre)calculus, geometry, trigonometry, linear algebra and (partial) differential equations to name a few. I have also been interested in helping friends and family with any type of work as it grants much gratification when a certain topic is understood.

During the tutoring sessions, there are occasions where a question is asked by the student which is above the specifications and cannot be answered during the sessions – to which I will proceed to find information to said question and an update will be given in the following lesson.

I have continually been able to maintain a good rapport with every tutee with feedback being very positive. I task myself with trying to make the best out of each session – this is achieved by asking each student how I can further the experience. The sessions carried out have been described to be friendly with the content being understood deeply – this can be attributed to the lessons running at the pace of the student. Furthermore, the results achieved by my students have been very positive.