André v - Tutor in Queenswood
Hi upcoming professionals, I am an aspirant Professor of Ecology, currently working hard at completing my Masters degree and planning for a PhD. A passion for ecology has given me the opportunity to do field work on Marion Island and Antarctica, some of my most memorable experiences yet. I would like to provide assistance to students who are also keen to meet their aspirations and chase their passions. Automatically you will help me develop my own teaching skills, which is a big part of professorship. I look forward to fruitful engagement with fellow future professionals.
Tutor basics
Teaching places
Students Home and Online
Travelling distance
André will travel 10km from Queenswood, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
Languages spoken
André speaks Afrikaans and English
Experience
Mentee
It was my introduction into stable isotope analysis and ecosystem modelling. It was mainly "minion" work like weighing samples, cleaning lab equipment and managing data, but was an excellent way to pick up skills and meet professional people. I'm still working closely with my mentor from then, who is now more like a colleague.
Marine mammal and seabird observer
This was an amazing opportunity to work with the Norwegian Polar Institute aboard their vessel, the Kronprins Haakon, for two months. We set off from southern Chile towards the Norwegian Antarctic territory of Dronning Maud Land to survey the ecosystem there. Sleeping on a rocking ship for eight weeks was quite something, and it got hectic! We managed to see incredible animals ranging from microscopic crustaceans, to emperor penguins, 50 kg toothfish, and blue whales.
Field Biologist
This was the 13 month working stint on Marion Island. I was one of three biologists looking at southern elephant seals on the island. The work involved walking at least 5km a day, mostly in very cold, windy and rainy conditions, to monitor seals. But the contrast in being chased by four ton bulls and seeing the cute pups was absolutely worth it.
Field assistant
The Conservation Ecology Research Unit gave me the opportunity to help with field surveys of forests in northern Kwa-Zulu Natal. We were tasked with monitoring birds and millipedes to assess how the restored forests recover over time after they were removed to mine for valuable metals.
Education
MSc Zoology - University of Pretoria
My current project is an MSc on fish from the Southern Ocean, which I hope to complete this year. Then a PhD is the next step.
BSc Hons Zoology - University of Pretoria
The most rewarding, yet extremely busy, academic year for me. We had to write essays on topics ranging from how flies see, to how moral values develop, and how forests recover. And, on top of all that, my main thesis was on squid ecology around Marion Island using stable isotope analysis. Managed to get a distinction for the year as well!
BSc Ecology - University of Pretoria
A wonderful year of hard work and hard play. Amidst the whirlwind of work and social blasts I made a lot of lasting friends and professional connections.
Subjects taught
-
Biology
I discovered a passion for biology, particularly natural science, in fourth grade and excelled at it since, making Biology a proud distinction in twelfth grade. I'm an avid birder and for me understanding natural history is a big part of appreciating wildlife. I've taken on natural science as a professional career and have considerable experience researching ecosystems. This developed an acute appreciation of the fundamentals taught in high school, and I would like to stoke biology students' passion for the subject by making it accessible and keeping it interesting.
André teaches Biology at High School level(s)
-
English
English FAL was one of my top subjects in high school, with reading, writing and presenting remaining a big part of my academic career. I pride myself at being able to choose words to suit the tone of a message or narrative and I think being able to articulate and convey ideas effectively remains important in any environment, be that in person or online. Poetry, literature, grammar and spelling are the tools to do exactly that: understand (feel) the nuances and tones in a written or spoken message and respond appropriately and effectively. Alongside helping with set curricula, I believe I can also convey a general feel of the language, which would help with performance in English as a formal subject.
André teaches English at High School level(s)