I left school in 1966, after my A levels and went to work for the BBC in London, as a secretary. I was not happy in that job, so the following year decided to train to become a teacher. I applied late, through the Clearing House, and got a place at Hereford College of Education. After I qualified I started teaching in Leominster Secondary Modern School in Herefordshire, but it was only a year's contract because the contracted teacher was doing a sabbatical year.
After that year, I started work in an independent school in Hereford City, the Hereford Cathedral Preparatory School, which is now the Hereford Cathedral Junior School.
The school itself is very close to the cathedral, in Castle Street. It is made up of several old buildings, some of which are listed.
I started teaching at the school on my birthday, February 1st, 1972. I was appointed to teach mixed subjects to a Year 3 class - 7 and 8 year olds. Back then, the school only took boys, changing to mixed classes some years later. Having taught my Year 3 for several years, I left temporarily to have my two children. When I returned, I taught part-time, then full-time when my children were in school themselves. 
A new Headmaster came to the school and asked me to introduce French throughout the whole school, starting with the 3 year-olds in the Nursery.
Prior to this change, I taught French to the older children, but it was a challenge to introduce it to the younger ones. I chose an appropriate course and was delighted with the way in which the children and their parents responded to this new subject. I always believed in making the language learning fun and not a chore.
I also taught swimming, having to walk with the children to the Hereford Leisure Pool.
My background knowledge of French helped me considerably when I started learning Spanish and I am now teaching basic Spanish to neighbours and my husband!
I am enjoying this very much as it is giving me something to get my teeth into!