Morag Ferguson

Name: Morag Ferguson
Subject: Chemistry
Location: Williamwood High School, East Renfrewshire

After I did a degree in medical chemistry at university I went into industrial chemistry for six years at a couple of different companies. But I'm a people person rather than an out and out scientist and I really couldn't see myself tinkering with test tubes for the rest of my life.

I saved up enough money to put myself through university to do the PGDE and it was great. The most valuable part of the course was the student placements. It gives you a chance to put the theory into practice.

I absolutely loved my first year of teaching – I've never once regretted making the move. The days go so quickly and you come home with stories every night. It's just so much fun.

It's also harder than I've ever worked before for a lower amount of money than I was earning as a scientist. But the benefits of teaching far outweigh the financial rewards of working in the private sector. I took a drop in salary to become a teacher but the rewards are unbelievable.

The biggest rewards are the pupils' achievements – both educational and social. Sometimes a pupil only has to be polite to you, never mind do well in class, and that can make your day, because you know that they've matured socially.

The kids also voted me their favourite female teacher, which was brilliant. I ploughed myself into the school's extra-curricular activities and got involved with the school year book – there's so much to do if you want to get involved.

For the very scientifically minded, there is the opportunity to involve senior pupils in science and inspire them to choose it as career. I even organised for a class to visit an industrial science lab to see how it fitted in with industry. But for the more people-minded person, teaching offers you the opportunity to see lives develop and the chance to help shape the lives of young people.