Could you start by telling us the main role or roles you've had in your working life?
I started off as an ordinary teacher working in a small RC school in Bermondsey. I was the only chemist in a science department of 4½. My next job was as Deputy Head of Science in a girls’ comprehensive in Peckham. Finally I became Head of Science in a medium sized comprehensive school in a deprived area of Coventry. I retired from that post in 2012 and have been teaching part time since.
Did you enjoy your work?
Yes, but it does have its ups and downs. Some of the attractions of teaching are that no two days are the same, and that you are working with people. But those things can also be a major factor in causing stress and difficulties.
Did you feel you were able to integrate your faith into your work?
Generally yes. In the Catholic school I was regarded as a bit of an oddity. I was a ‘Prod’! This did open some doors for me. One class refused to work until I told them how I was different from them and how I had become a Christian! A boy in serious trouble (he had thrown a chair at someone) was told by his head of year that no one on the staff liked him. “No that’s not true,” the boy said “Dr Long likes me.” Then the head of year replied “But he’s a Christian!”
I get called on to give assemblies – they are always Bible based – and sometimes to appear as a witness for classes to ask a Christian what they believe. I have done this several times with Year 7 classes and also with a Sixth form sociology group.
On a personal basis, some children are perplexed that I am a Christian and a scientist and stop and question me about my faith. One boy spent a couple of hours asking me questions after school. A Muslim student asked to borrow a Bible to see what Christians believe. He still has it, years later.
Did you see God's hand in your work?
This is much harder. I often pray for opportunities to witness, and they do come. When I joined my present school there was only one other Christian on the staff, so I prayed for more Christians to come and work there. We now have quite a lot of Christian teachers and people in support roles. It has been quite encouraging. Another thing I prayed for a long time was for the Gideons to be allowed to come and distribute New Testaments. The Head had been very much against it. However a new head was appointed and, although she was not in favour, one of the deputy heads (a Christian) invited the Gideons in and they have been coming for 3 or 4 years now. We had been the only secondary school in Coventry to ban the Gideons.
Thank you Father for teachers. May we have that same attitude of giving of ourselves to benefit others, and be willing to share our faith. Help us to have vision for change. May we persist in praying “Your Kingdom Come” and be your hands and feet until we see that happen.
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