Teachers says farewell after 32 years
I was amazed by the gifts and the words of thanks by students and staff, it was phenomenal. HE IS RETIRING TO ENJOY TRAVEL AND ADVENTURE
A DERBY teacher who has retired after 32 years has spoken of the impact a good education can have on children.
Mal Gosal taught chemistry to thousands of youngsters at Littleover Community School for 28 years and at Belper School for four years.
The married father of two said he entered the profession to help support children “to be the best they can be” after gaining a degree in chemistry from Lancaster University.
He said that during his own schooldays, in Wolverhampton, he was never pushed to succeed.
“I came from a school that wasn’t that academic. I went to a school where they were shocked that I wanted to do A-levels.”
Mr Gosal hopes that he has made a difference during his long career. He said: “I am where I am because of education. Hopefully I’ve made a difference to a small number of pupils at least.”
He also thanked his former colleagues and pupils, saying: “The students and staff are excellent and hardworking. They as a whole make the place the way it is.”
Of the school he spent 28 years at, he said: “Littleover enables a broad Community School for 28 years and was a chemistry
32 years sway of students of all abilities to get the education they need.”
Of the thanks he has received from current and former students he has run into over the years, he says: “You’re just doing your job, they do appreciate it though.
“I was amazed by the gifts and the words of thanks by students and staff, it was phenomenal.”
Mr Gosal hopes to spend his early retirement at the age of 56 pursuing his passion for travel and adventure.
He hopes to visit India, where he was born and lived until he was two, and also wants to try his hand at mountain climbing.
Working as teacher meant extra hours and marking, and Mr Gosal hopes to make up for that by spending more time with his family. On reflection of his time as a science teacher, he said: “It isn’t an easy job, you have to be more than just a teacher these days. When I first started we didn’t really consider mental health and things like that in students.
“It is a very good career.”