'TreeWyrm'

Hello!

I am what is known as a 'polymath'. I have a strong science background with A levels in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. I hold a B.Sc. in Environmental Science, and a multi-disciplinary/interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Electronic & Electrical Engineering. I have a 120h TEFL qualification, and completed training as a L1 Teaching Assistant (Teaching Assistants typically work one-to-one with students who have additional needs). I previously completed Mental Health First Aid training, and have an awareness of the emotional needs of others. Be it through writing, music, or speaking, I communicate emotions both powerfully and clearly. I may be able to offer advice on how you might better do the same. While in academia I assisted international students whenever I could with pronunciation and understanding of technical terminology featuring in their studies. I occasionally proof-read their work including journal papers. In my last job I worked part-time performing data entry/database administration and reporting basic statistics for a small children’s charity. I sometimes volunteered as a playworker, too. My grandfather was an elocution teacher. He died many years before I was born, but some of the manners of speaking and writing that he instilled in my father were passed to me. As a child I met countless people from all over the world through my father’s international work. I learned to be patient, respectful, and kind when speaking with anyone whose first language was not my own.

WARNING: Working from home, there may a chance of 'cat' in our calls (I have one)! Beware! I have a broadly 'colonial' accent with just an occasional touch of 'Brummy'. Where I grew up, people had a slight Welsh 'lilt' because many Welsh miners came to work there during the UK's Industrial Revolution. I write poetry, make are and compose piano music, when I'm not reading articles on technological, socioeconomic, and geopolitical news. My creativity is spontaneous and usually improvised in process. In case you are interested: my music/art/creative writing pen-name is 'Tree Wyrm'. You can search online for my Youtube, Bandcamp or Redbubble accounts if you are curious. I also made some 'sci-fi' music with a friend on Bandcamp, where we called ourselves 'Wyrm Horizon'. I have a passion for science fiction world-building, wisdom in all its forms, and an eclectic taste in music. I have no particular religious persuasion. I am mindful and respectful to all people whatever their background or representation. I have a sense of humour and do not take myself too seriously! I am frank about my personal life and struggles, because I believe sometimes transparency about such matters can be useful. They may make me more relatable and approachable, but also it helps students understand where they fit in my life's priorities. I also really, really enjoy helping people. That can be important when choosing a tutor, I think. I became a TEFL teacher after a harrowing ordeal: the arrest of my (now ex) husband that incidentally exposed decades of deception. He received a hefty prison sentence, but I was not the recognised victim. Since coming to terms with the irrefutable truth that I was nevertheless a victim too, of Domestic Abuse, I now seek to rebuild myself/my life. My multidisciplinary background has made it hard to find jobs in today's specialised job markets, but for TEFL it has become a great advantage!

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