I delivered my first private tutoring lesson - English, for that matter - when I was 18. I had just graduated highschool, then passed the tough admission exam at the University of Bucharest - Faculty of Journalism and Communication Studies, and I needed money for the early autumn holiday at the seaside with my (already) former classmates. That was a long, long time ago, precisely the year Metallica issued their still controversial "Black" album.
I've been since teaching privately and in schools, part-time, as my main jobs were always in the media (started as a daily reporter, but spent most of my professional life as a Deputy Editor or Editor-in-Chief with various magazines.
I stopped being paid as a journalist about eight years ago. I became a stay-home dad... well, sort of. I would take my elder daughter everywhere, including to my classes. She went to the University, even to the Doctoral School, before she would join a kindergarden. Kept on teaching - I, not she - until I got to England, more than three years ago. I did something completely different for about three years - driving for a living, that is. I had a score of 97 out of 100 on the telemetrics app monitoring my behaviour behind the wheel, no serious conflicts or fights, no complaints to the Council.
Towards the end of last year, I went back to teaching, in the real world. Worked as supply/cover with several secondaries in West Midlands, both as a Class Teacher and as a TA, handling years 7 to 11 and subjects ranging from Maths and History to Arts and PE. I guess it's in my blood. Pupils here use to say that I am "different". Students back in Romania would say the same. Well, I deem I'm fairly unconventional. And I do love what I'm doing. What I've been doing for a quarter of a century now.