PhD Chemistry Teacher | OCT Certified | IB HL/SL, AP & Ontario | 18+ Years of Teaching Experience

Find out more about Dr Seyed

• When and why did you develop an interest in your chosen field?

  My interest in Chemistry began in high school. I was fortunate to have a Chemistry teacher who taught me that Chemistry is not simply about memorizing formulas, equations, and reactions. He showed me how to understand a problem, analyze the information, connect it to the relevant concepts, and solve it step by step. This approach made Chemistry meaningful to me and inspired me to study the subject more deeply.
  
  That interest eventually led me to pursue advanced studies in Chemistry and earn a PhD. During my academic career, I was also involved in scientific research and published several research papers in international scientific journals. Research taught me the importance of curiosity, critical thinking, evidence, patience, and perseverance—qualities that I also try to develop in my students.
  
  Over the years, my passion has evolved from studying and researching Chemistry myself to helping students understand and enjoy the subject.

• What makes you passionate about your subject?

  What makes Chemistry fascinating to me is the way it connects theory, mathematics, experimentation, and the real world. Chemistry helps us understand what we observe at the macroscopic level by examining what is happening at the atomic and molecular level.
  
  I especially enjoy teaching Chemistry because students often initially see it as a difficult subject. When concepts are explained clearly and connected logically, students begin to recognize patterns and relationships. Seeing a student move from confusion to saying, “Now I understand,” is one of the most rewarding parts of teaching for me.
  
  My international experience has also shaped my passion for education. I have taught in Canada, France, China, and Iran, including experience in international-school environments. Working with students from different cultural and educational backgrounds has taught me to be flexible and to adapt my teaching methods to the individual learner.

• What do you like about tutoring? What makes you a "Superprof"?

  What I enjoy most about tutoring is the opportunity to work closely with an individual student and focus specifically on their needs. Every student is different. Some need to strengthen foundational concepts, some need more challenging problem-solving practice, and others need support with examination strategies, organization, or confidence.
  
  I am an Ontario Certified Teacher (OCT), hold a PhD in Chemistry, and have more than 18 years of teaching experience. I have taught in Canada and internationally, including in international-school settings, and have worked with students following different curricula and educational systems.
  
  My Chemistry teaching experience includes IB Chemistry Higher Level and Standard Level, AP Chemistry, Ontario Grade 11 and Grade 12 Chemistry, and university-level Chemistry.
  
  My background as both a teacher and a researcher also influences my tutoring. Having conducted scientific research and published in international journals, I encourage students to think analytically, question results, interpret evidence, and understand the reasoning behind scientific ideas.
  
  I believe what makes me a Superprof is the combination of deep subject knowledge, extensive teaching experience, international experience, patience, and an individualized approach to learning. I do not simply show students how to get the correct answer. I want them to understand why the method works and develop the skills to solve unfamiliar problems independently.

• Do you have any role models; a teacher that inspired you? Please explain.

  Yes. One of my earliest and most important inspirations was my high school Chemistry teacher. He taught me how to approach and solve Chemistry problems logically rather than simply memorize formulas and procedures. His teaching played an important role in developing my interest in Chemistry and influenced the way I approach the subject today.
  
  Later, during my Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD studies, I had the opportunity to learn from many excellent teachers, professors, and researchers. Each contributed something different to my development—from deeper scientific knowledge and critical thinking to research methodology and analytical problem-solving.
  
  These experiences have strongly influenced my own teaching philosophy. Today, I try to do for my students what my teachers and professors did for me: help them understand the reasoning behind a problem rather than simply memorize an answer.
  
  My goal is for students to reach the point where they can look at a new Chemistry problem, analyze it logically, identify the relevant concepts, and confidently determine how to solve it.

• What are your keys to success?

  My keys to success are curiosity, consistency, patience, practice, and perseverance.
  
  More than 18 years of teaching and my experience in scientific research have taught me that meaningful achievement rarely happens immediately. Whether someone is conducting research, learning a difficult Chemistry concept, or preparing for an important examination, progress comes through consistent effort and a willingness to learn from mistakes.
  
  For Chemistry specifically, I believe students need three things: strong conceptual understanding, systematic problem-solving skills, and regular practice. Memorizing formulas without understanding them may work temporarily, but genuine understanding gives students the ability to apply their knowledge to unfamiliar situations.
  
  I therefore encourage my students to ask questions, identify their weaknesses, analyze their mistakes, and gradually progress from fundamental concepts to more challenging problems.
  
  Finally, I believe strongly in developing independent learners. My goal as a tutor is not to make students dependent on tutoring. My goal is to provide them with the knowledge, strategies, confidence, and problem-solving skills they need to eventually succeed on their own.
  
  After teaching students from different countries, cultures, curricula, and academic levels, I still find great satisfaction in seeing a student develop confidence in a subject they once found difficult. For me, that is one of the greatest rewards of being a teacher.