9 Features Issue 9 - October 2023 Are You My Teacher? A Fungi Farewell Why did Dr. Tilbrook choose Biology? What is it like teaching at the RGS? What would he do if he gave up teaching? Dr. Tilbrook reveals all to Bilal Raja (Year 11). 1. What made you choose a career in Biology and teaching? I have always been interested in biology and nature, and most of my jobs have involved some element of teaching. Before starting (I only started at the beginning of 2017), I did all sorts of stuff. I privately tutored students and worked at some private colleges in London, so it seemed it like a good idea to get a proper qualification. Biology has always been a favourite of mine! 2. Why did you choose to teach at the RGS? I was actually phoned up by the school. Somebody got in touch with me. They called to see if I was interested in teaching here. I was teaching at Luton at the time, just before second lockdown. Mr. Wood and Mrs. Forster spoke to me about the job, and having had that discussion, they said we should perhaps have a formal meeting. After that was done, I showed up on the first day of the second lockdown in a cold and empty classroom looking at the screen for 3 months. Funnily enough, I also had an offer at a Great Missenden School but chose to come here instead. 3. How have you found your time at RGS so far? It has been good fun, I've worked in 3 schools and the best things about them are the pupils, the pupils are great fun! I consider myself the biggest kid in the classroom. I love getting to know the students. I will miss the banter, the fun and the games! It was fab! 4. What is the one thing most interesting about you? Push bikes! I haven't got as many bikes as I used to but I have around 8 or 9. At one point I think I had 16. Interestingly, I can strip down and build up a bike in a matter of hours. 5. If you had won the lottery and decided to give up teaching, what would you do instead? I would buy an electron microscope and conduct some research. I would set myself up in the Oxford Museum of National History and research away into whatever I found interesting. I would take pictures and write publications. go to Australia and collect all the items I need. I would do anything that would help with my research. 6. An exclusive comment: I am leaving this year. I got a job as a Head of Biology at another school in Leighton Buzzard in Milton Keynes. "One of the funniest teachers I have ever had. I will truly miss his funny and great lessons. He truly made Biology fun for us as well as making it easy to understand"
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