About Me – Providing Expert Maths Grinds in Tullow and Surrounding Areas
Welcome to the Centre for Mathematical Development, your local hub for expert maths grinds in Tullow and surrounding areas. I’m Alan Loane, and I’m here to guide students from confusion to clarity. Additionally, I help them turn stress into success as they tackle both Leaving Cert and Junior Cert maths. Furthermore, my approach ensures students build confidence while mastering each topic.
Degree in Pure Mathematics from Trinity College Dublin
Secondary schools cannot always provide students with teachers qualified in the subjects they deliver.
Fortunately, I have a four-year BA in Maths from Trinity College Dublin.
While many of my peers pursued attractive and lucrative positions in finance, engineering, and actuarial science, I chose to follow my family’s long teaching tradition. Teaching has always been my passion.
Specific Interest in Teaching
I understand that teaching is a relational contract built on respect and trust. We do not learn from teachers we cannot connect with.
Consequently, I dedicate my spare time to reading psychology and neuroscience. I then apply these insights to build meaningful relationships with my students.
Moreover, I have a strong interest in mixed-ability teaching. However, our education system often groups students by exam attainment at the end of the first year. This practice can dishearten and discourage students and limit their engagement with school and certain subjects.
I firmly believe that humans develop at different rates. Therefore, I actively foster a growth mindset, confidence, and relational skills so students can flourish.
I deliver this approach in a friendly and fun environment. Mistakes are not only accepted but welcomed. This allows me to learn alongside my students and continually improve as a teacher.
Over a Decade Of Experience
I currently teach in a post-primary school and work with students across various year groups.
Over the years, I have taught in six schools in Ireland, from fee-paying, academically focused schools to DEIS 1 schools in disadvantaged, multicultural areas.
This wealth of experience has helped me hone my skills to teach the most demanding and challenging subject in school.
However, more importantly, I have learned to communicate effectively with adolescents, be patient, and build trusting relationships. These skills create a safe learning space for students.
A Personal, Focused Approach to Maths Grinds in Tullow
What Sets Us Apart?
Digital Resources Developed by Us
Tired of endless printouts and hard copies? Fortunately, our digital resources on Google Classroom give students easy access to lesson notes and exam materials.
In addition, we provide presentations, practice exercises, and regular updates, so that learning stays organized and accessible.
As a result, students can review content anytime, improving understanding and confidence.
Personal attention without the pressure of solo learning
At the Centre for Mathematical Development, we hold maths grinds in small groups. Students receive personal attention without one-to-one pressure. As a result, students gain confidence in a supportive, collaborative atmosphere. We welcome mistakes because no learning can occur without them, and we encourage participation from all students. Furthermore, students develop skills they can use beyond school. These include social skills, collaboration, communication, and respect for learning.
Building Exam Skills
Whether preparing for Higher Level Leaving Cert or aiming to pass the Junior Cert, our classes will get you exam-ready. Moreover, we emphasise problem-solving skills and incorporate past papers, exam strategies, and timekeeping. In addition, we provide tailored examples of study skills that students can take away for all subjects.
I am lucky to have a job that brings meaning and self-worth to my life.
Furthermore, the brain continues developing into our mid-twenties, so I remain conscious of the influence teachers have on students.
However, administrative demands and curriculum constraints limit opportunities to develop new teaching methods or embrace technology.
At the same time, as a father of three delightful young children, I have sought to regain some of the most rewarding aspects of my profession—the TEACHING!—while balancing my work in a post-primary school to stay informed on evolving curriculums, as well as managing home life.
Moreover, I bring my values of an equitable setting, where students get what they need, not just the same as others, in order to progress and flourish. I believe that education should prepare students for life after school, where qualities such as respect for others, communication skills, and problem-solving are also prioritised.
Why Our Students Succeed
At the Centre for Mathematical Development in Tullow, students don’t just catch up; instead, they move ahead with clarity and confidence.
- With small group classes that are always held in person
- Alongside in-person classes, digital resources can be accessed via Google Classroom.
- Each class is taught by a fully qualified, practicing maths teacher with real classroom experience
- The approach is focused on real exam success, ensuring structured practice leads to results.