ARE you considering a career in education? Read on to find out why two teachers picked a teaching career and what motivates them.

Name: Mark Adams
Age: 28
Subject: Maths
Current school: St Peters RC Secondary School, Solihull

1. Why did you decide to become a teacher?

I’ve always enjoyed maths, and thought that with my experience in finance I’d have something good to offer. I decided to do a PGCE and fell in love with it.

2. What are your favourite things about teaching?

With maths, there’s always a defined solution to the problem. You either get it right or wrong. It’s a subject I’ve always been passionate about and I think that comes across in my teaching style.

3. What is the most rewarding aspect of teaching?

The best moment was a couple of years ago, when one of my students came to the staff room and asked to speak to me. She was quite emotional at first, but she said she’d just wanted to thank me for helping her in maths, because she never thought she could do that well.

Name: Ruth O’Shea
Age: 28
Subject: Spanish
Current school: Glyn
School, Epsom, Surrey

1. Why did you decide to become a teacher?

I decided to become a teacher having studied Spanish at university and having spent two years living in Spain. Teaching was a career which I wasn’t 100 per cent sure that I would be good at, or love, but it offered a great opportunity to train for a professional career that would provide a stable income while allowing me to continue with my passion for languages.

2. What are you most passionate about in teaching?

I am most passionate about creating a safe and engaging learning environment for students. For me, one of the best things about teaching is the impact you can have on a student’s life.

3. What is the most rewarding aspect of teaching?

For me the most rewarding aspect of teaching is having the freedom to be creative and collaborating with others, and as a result of that being able to see the difference it can make to the students.