Terry Abel

Current role: head of science department specialising in physics
Previous career: electrical engineer

Before becoming a teacher, Terry put his degree in applied physics to practical use by working as an electrical engineer, travelling and lecturing, which he really enjoyed. He considered a different direction when he reached 55, wanting to take his problem-solving skills and talent for communication into a new sphere.

Terry sold his business and enrolled on the Graduate Teacher Programme (GTP). “I wanted to get involved straight from the start. With the GTP, from day one you’re learning on your feet. I came out feeling really confident.”

Terry found that teaching opened up a wealth of new experiences that he wasn’t exposed to in business. “I found it so pleasing because it was totally different. Always challenging. It was great to be learning again and finding new things to do.”

He discovered that teaching was the perfect solution to his desire to continue learning, while his affinity for communicating ideas found a natural outlet in the classroom. “Teaching is never, ever boring. And I love interacting with the kids – I’m young at heart so I love being with the children and having some rapport.”

Terry found that his working experience helped to develop his relationship with his class. “They know about my background. That way, I can be approachable. I can talk to the kids about real life – about how to get a job, how they should interview. They need learning that’s relevant to their life, and I have the credibility because I’ve worked somewhere else.”

Although deeply experienced in his subject, Terry continues to be more than happy throwing himself into whatever opportunities his teaching career offers him. “I just wanted to be a teacher. If you ask me what I teach, I say ‘children’. Even if I do cover French and English lessons now, I really get stuck in – I’ve even been on a school trip to France, which is great.”