Byron S. Very responsive
Tutoring near Surry Hills, Sydney, NSW

Byron has

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Reviews

Rate

$60 per hour

Services

  • One-to-one tuition
  • Home visits
  • Online help
  • In person

About

At James Ruse, I received outstanding results (99.75 TER, 1996), and have established a long track record of helping many others grow in knowledge, skills and confidence, despite the many barriers and challenges students face. I have been engaged in some form of teaching across a wide variety of contexts, with groups large and small, young and old, more or less continuously since I started tutoring a few of my peers as a fifteen year old. I continue to enjoy learning and love finding ways to help nurture that same joy in others. Qualifications and experience I have a PhD in ethics and first class honours degrees in English, philosophy and theology. I have been a guest lecturer at eight tertiary institutions, a tutor and workshop leader at two more, have spent time as a high school classroom English teacher, a weekly visiting educator at two primary schools, a regular teacher and leader in a couple of community groups, and have delivered scores of workshops, seminars and lectures at high schools, conferences, NGOs, churches, and within small networks. My writing has been published in academic journals, edited books, a reference dictionary, mainstream media outlets and a variety of smaller community publications and websites. I've appeared on or hosted dozens of broadcast shows (radio, TV or podcasts), from local community productions to national media outlets. Tutoring style In one-on-one tutoring, my style is conversational and student-centred. I seek to understand a student's context with its particular challenges and opportunities, and shape my approach in response. I love finding connections between disciplines and try to use a student's areas of strength to illuminate topics where they may be having more difficulty, seeking to nurture curiosity, competence, confidence and creativity. I have experience in both online and offline tuition. Teaching interests I have particular interests in extending gifted students and in supporting students whose learning has suffered some kind of setback, as well as those who may not find they 'fit' in their current educational context, including neurodiverse students (those whose brain may be wired differently, such as people with ADHD and/or on the autism spectrum, whose educational needs can differ quite significantly from more neurotypical students). Prices and Session Times My regular rate is $60/hr for online tuition via Zoom (minimum five sessions). One-off or short-term online tuition is $70/hr. For offline tuition at a private residence or quiet space in a public building (e.g. public library), my rate is $70/hr (minimum five sessions) or $80/hr for one-off or short-term tuition. Sessions can be 60 minutes or 45 minutes. Regular online sessions can also be 30 minutes. Rates pro rata. For regular tuition, I offer a free initial 15-30 minute session to explore the student's context and learning needs and clarify our goals together, after which we can both decide if it seems like there might be a good fit. I am willing to discuss concessional rates for those in significant financial stress. Access to quality education ought not depend on family wealth.

Education

Tertiary Degrees: • 2017 PhD in Ecological Ethics, University of Edinburgh • 2006 Bachelor of Divinity, Moore Theological College (1st class honours, 88% average mark) • 2001 Bachelor of Arts, University of Sydney (1st class honours in English Post-1500 Literature (90% average mark) and 1st class honours in Philosophy (85% average mark) High distinction average across all subjects over these programs. Tertiary Scholarships and Awards: • University of Edinburgh Overseas Research Scholarship (2008–11) • University of Edinburgh School of Divinity Scholarship (2008–11) • Marcia Abel Scholarship (2003–06) • Walter J Reid Memorial Prize (1998, 1999, 2000, 2001) Publications and presentations: A variety of publications in peer-reviewed academic journals, chapters in edited books, articles in reference dictionaries. Dozens of presentations at conferences, invited lectures at tertiary institutions, seminars, workshops and adult education classes, as well as pieces published in mainstream media. High School achievements: 1996 HSC 99.75 TER 1996 James Ruse Medal for Best All Rounder 1996 1996 10th in State for Geography (2 unit) 1996 James Ruse Gold Award 1996 James C. Hoskin Medal for Talented Debater 1995 Geoffrey Miles Memorial Prize 1995 James Ruse Gold Award 1995 Barry J. Evans Award for Best Performance 1994 Principal’s Medal for Top Student Year 10 (Dux) 1994 Head Teacher’s Award for Commerce Individual subject results (first in year group): First in Mathematics 1992, 1993, 1994 First in Science 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994 First in Agriculture 1991, 1994 First in Geography 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995 First in History 1992, 1994 First in Commerce 1993 Competition Results: Australian Schools English Competition 1992 High Distinction 1993 High Distinction 1994 High Distinction Australian Mathematics Competition 1991 Prize Winner (Top 0.3% of the State); 3rd in State in Yr 7 1992 Prize Winner (Top 0.3% of the State) 1993 Prize Winner (Top 0.3% of the State); 2nd in State in Yr 9 1994 Prize Winner (Top 0.3% of the State) 1995 Prize Winner (Top 0.3% of the State) 1996 Prize Winner (Top 0.3% of the State); Yr 12 Medal Winner Australian Mathematical Olympiad Committee Mathematics Contest (by invitation only) 1993 Certificate of Merit 1994 Certificate of Excellence 1995 Certificate of Merit Australian Mathematical Olympiad (by invitation only) 1994 Certificate of Achievement 1995 Certificate of Achievement; Bronze Award 1996 Certificate of Achievement; Bronze Award International Mathematics Olympiad selection process 1994, 1995 Invited participant in the Australian Mathematical Olympiad Committee Correspondence Program 1995 One of only twelve invited participants in the Selection School for the Australian team Promaths Interschools Mathematics 1991 2nd in State in Yr 7; Member of team placed 2nd in State 1992 5th in State in Yr 8; Member of team placed 1st in Australia University of NSW School Mathematics Competition 1993 2nd in State in Years 7-10 1990 2nd in State in Year 6 The University of NSW Australian Schools Science Competition 1991 High Distinction 1992 High Distinction; equal 1st in State in Yr 8 (perfect score) 1993 High Distinction; equal 1st in State in Yr 9 (perfect score) 1994 High Distinction; equal 1st in Region in Yr 10 Royal Australian Chemistry Institute National Chemistry Quiz 1991 High Distinction 1992 High Distinction; equal 2nd in State in Yr 8 1993 High Distinction 1994 High Distinction; equal 1st in State in Yr 10 (perfect score) 1995 High Distinction NSW Junior Geography Competition 1993 High Distinction 1994 High Distinction; equal 1st in State (perfect score) Western Sydney Young Writers Award 1993 First Prize in Years 7-9 Metropolitan West Regional Science Talent Search 1992 Member of winning team National Mathematics Summer School at ANU 1996 Invited participant Mathematics Challenge for Young Australians 1992 Excellence Award, Challenge Stage 1994 Excellence Award, Challenge Stage 1994 Excellence Award, Enrichment Stage Also an invited participant in the selection process for: 1995 Australian Chemistry Olympiad 1996 Australian Physics Olympiad

Interests

  • Tabletop roleplaying games (DnD, Pathfinder)
  • News and current affairs
  • Reading widely

Reviews

Byron has been a wonderful help to my children with their school work. I have had 2 children who have highly benefitted from his tutoring. Both of them came to need extra help for completely different reasons. Our story is significant in that it demonstrates his deep care and the interest he has for each student. He takes the time to understand the individuals unique learning histories and current challenges, building a friendly and fun rapport. We are completely confident in and admire his own intelligence and mastery of multiple subject areas but really cherish the fact that my kids never feel belittled, intimidated or afraid to ask any questions of him. I have found him easy, clear, organised and generous to work with as a parent. He is professional and yet not driven just to get his students to achieve to a certain standard but is deeply curious to help themselves understand themselves as learners which I believe will have a far greater reach than helping them simply do ‘well a test’. We have worked with him online and he has gone out of his way to find creative and satisfactory solutions to the challenges of online learning and relationship building. This has been wonderful due to our remote location and the limitations that health issues have placed on our children.
- By Billie Ford on 19th May 2023

Character references

Availability

Around Surry Hills

Monday 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Monday 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Monday 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Tuesday 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Tuesday 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Wednesday 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Wednesday 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Thursday 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Thursday 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Thursday 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Friday 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Friday 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Travel policy

I will tutor at a private residence or a quiet space in a public building (e.g. a meeting room at a library) within the City of Sydney and most immediately adjacent suburbs. My preference is for online sessions conducted via videoconferencing and for these I offer a discount of $10/hr.