Maria is a Science and Maths tutor who started teaching in 1991. She likes to boost her students' confidence and takes huge satisfaction in watching them reach their goals.
Maria teaches: 11+ Maths, 11+ Science, 13+ Maths, 13+ Science, GCSE Biology, GCSE Chemistry, GCSE Maths, GCSE Physics
''Maria is a great tutor. You can really tell she knows her stuff!''
Student in year 10, Mill Hill International school• (I)GCSE Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Physics (AQA, CIE, OCR & Edexcel)
• 13+ Science and Maths: ISEB and public school entrance exams
• 11+ Science and Maths: ISEB and public school entrance exams
I have been a Private tutor overall for 15 years, teaching Maths, Biology, Chemistry and Physics at Key stage 2, 11+, Key stage 3, GSCE, I-GCSE level and A level. I am familiar with Edexcel, AQA and OCR exam boards.
I was born in London but spent most of my childhood in Athens, Greece.
I returned to the UK with my family when I was 14 and immediately started studying for my GCSEs.
My A level choices of Mathematics and Statistics, Biology, Computer science and Greek language and literature, led me to King’s College London to study an Environmental Science degree.
I graduated in 1991 and went abroad to work for two years- teaching English as a foreign language. When I returned to London I worked in various administrative positions for 5 years as a Manager. Following this I decided to go back to University (Metropolitan, ex Guildhall) to study Silversmithing and jewellery design, gaining a BTEC National and Higher National diploma over a 4 year period. In order to support myself during this time I joined a tutoring agency and became a private tutor in Maths and Science.
I was self-employed for 12 years as a jewellery maker specialising in enamelling, but I had to give up my business in 2008 following the birth of my second child and the economic conditions at the time. I re-joined the tutoring agency and have been a self-employed tutor in Maths and Science ever since.
I enjoy teaching children and helping them become the best students they can be.
Having the experience of two educational systems has been a big benefit to me and I feel that it has modified my approach to teaching. There is always more than one, two, three ways to explain something better so it's understood. There is never a question that is too 'silly' or 'pointless'.
I like to address student's individual learning needs and reverse a 'fixed' into a 'growth' mind set. I aim to develop their confidence and get them to recognise that 'getting it wrong' is just part of the learning process. I encourage them to develop their meta-cognitive and problem-solving skills which will enable them to become more reflective and active learners for the future.
At the core of my teaching are the principles of the Bloom's taxonomy model which are: Remembering-Understanding-Applying-Analysing-Evaluating and Creating.
I have been a full-time tutor for more than fifteen years now, and before that for over four years whilst still studying. In my free time I enjoy going to the gym and I am also half way through writing my fourth novel.
"Maria’s tutoring is built specifically to suit each individual and not for a group of students, which is helpful for me because I can understand maths, but I have a problem with forgetting very quickly for most things. When she tutors me in Maths, though, the things she teaches me stick in my mind and I can easily remember and apply this to my work. P.S. The previous statement may sound biased, but these are my honest thoughts."
Student in year 11, Ashmole Academy"Thank you for helping me get A’s and A*’s in GCSE maths and science so that I could join Ashmole Academy in year 12."
Student in Year 12, Broomfield school"Maria has tutored me in Maths for nearly two years. I wasn’t very confident when answering maths questions and I didn’t write down the answers even when I knew them. Maria put me at ease straight away with her friendly and patient manner and helped me to get over my fears so that now I don’t only participate in my maths classes but actually enjoy them."
Student in year 11, Finchley Catholic"She got a 6 and was expecting a 7/8, hoping to go to Medical school. In her retake R got an 8 - she was just two marks off a 9 and very happy. Thank you so much for your help. What a great outcome!"
Parent of yr12 student retaking her Maths GCSE in November 2020''Mrs O'Neill is a kind but strict tutor. She makes topics which are difficult, easy to understand. Her lessons are engaging and thought-provoking, that help with school and tests. She is non-judgemental and patient if it takes longer than usual to understand the material. Mrs O'Neill shows how to answer questions step-by-step and knows exactly what sort of questions can be asked on a topic. She is a tutor that goes further than she needs to teach.''
Student in year 11, Ashmole Academy''I needed to achieve at least a grade 5 in Maths and Science at GCSE so that I could do my A levels at Woodhouse College, but I failed all in my year 11 mocks. With Maria’s help I got the grades I needed and more, so now I’m studying Music, Drama and English in year 12 and thoroughly enjoying my new college. Thank you!''
Student in Year 12, Woodhouse College
