Tutorfair profiles: Meet Alvaro
A Tutorfair Foundation tutor since 2018 and now Maths Circle Manager, Alvaro tells us about what inspires him most.
You’ve had a long association with Tutorfair. Tell us about it.
In 2018, I had just moved to the University of Glasgow to study Biomedical Engineering. I started working part-time, tutoring on the platform, and found that I really enjoyed it. So, in 2024, when I saw a post for tutors for Axiom Maths Circles, I applied. I was soon leading four maths circles, and then five.
Gradually, I began working on systems, keeping track of mentor training and responding to parents’ concerns. I now manage a large part of the maths circles programme.
What do you like most about tutoring?
I really enjoy that moment when you see a student light up because they’ve just figured something out. This happens a lot in maths circles because they focus on encouraging creativity. There’s that point when students suddenly see the pattern.
What is your biggest challenge?
My biggest challenge is finding different ways to present a topic, because what works for one student doesn’t necessarily work for another.
Any memorable incidents?
Yes. I have a student who is smart and very talented. However, he is quite shy, doesn’t speak up, and prefers to use the chat box instead. It was a real breakthrough the other day when he unmuted himself for the first time.
Another incident I remember involved a student who wasn’t settling in with her mentor and came to me for tuition. One day, I received an email from her mother saying that she was happy. That made me happy too.
How would you like to see Tutorfair grow?
The more students Tutorfair reaches, the better. School systems have fewer resources, and student engagement has declined over the last two decades. So anyone who could benefit from the Tutorfair programme should have access to it. We’re only operating in England and Wales at the moment, and I would love to see these opportunities extended to other UK nations, European countries, or even globally.