Credit: SWNS
Dedicated Eric Jones is believed to be Britain’s oldest teacher at 82 years old.
The grandfather-of-five has taught at least 4,000 children Religious Education and English since he started his career in 1969.
“I just love teaching, just standing in front of a class of students is thrilling,” he said.
Eric worked in schools in London in the 60s before officially retiring in 2001 aged 61.
Dedicated Eric Jones is believed to be Britain’s oldest teacher at 82 years old.
The grandfather-of-five has taught at least 4,000 children Religious Education and English since he started his career in 1969.
“I just love teaching, just standing in front of a class of students is thrilling,” he said.
Eric worked in schools in London in the 60s before officially retiring in 2001 aged 61.
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LifestyleTranscript
00:00 Having retired 21 years ago, this has given me another new lease of life.
00:05 Hi, I'm Eric Jones. I live in Evesham and I'm 82 years of age.
00:12 Although strangely, about two years ago I went back into the classroom
00:17 and began to do some supply teaching, partly because the government asked
00:22 if anybody would be willing to go back and help,
00:24 and partly because I just love teaching teenagers.
00:28 I actually do still feel as though I'm capable of doing all this stuff.
00:33 My wife and I very often say that you really have to grow old, but you never have to grow up.
00:39 So working with teenagers has kept us both pretty much alive.
00:43 Taught for the last few years, of course voluntarily now,
00:47 and then for many, many years as a volunteer with youth groups or with youngsters doing drama,
00:53 and then for 30 odd years as a professional teacher, becoming a deputy headmaster in London
01:00 in the late 80s, 90s, and eventually retiring in 2001.
01:06 But just 18 months ago, the government asked if anybody would be willing to go back and help
01:12 as the pandemic was coming to an end.
01:14 So I volunteered and I've been going into nearby secondary schools teaching teenagers since then.
01:23 Usually one or two days a week, but I absolutely adore it.
01:26 Having retired 21 years ago, this has given me another new lease of life.
01:33 [music]
01:39 [MUSIC]