Teacher Support
Network Manager
Gary Williams
National Coordinator for the Institute of Physics Teachers Network
5 The Holmes
Erwood
Nr Builth Wells
Powys
Wales
LD2 3EQ
E-mail:gary.williams@iop.org
Mobile: 07817 702270
Current position
In addition to managing the Teacher Network I am also Editor of the international journal Physics Education
Initial training
BA with the Open University in physics and computing, PGCE at Cambridge University, MPhil at Aberystwyth University (research, designing and building a furnace for an ellipsometer)
Career
I worked for 4 years as a lab technician in the physics and computing departments at Wrekin College in Wellington, Shropshire studying with the OU in my spare time. After completing my PGCE under Brenda Jennison at Cambridge and doing my school based experience at Hinchingbrooke and Van Dyke schools I lectured in IT at a tertiary college. That wasn't as much fun as physics so I moved across to Norwich in my quest for a full time physics teaching job and taught at Hellesdon High School and then moved to Brecon High School in Powys, Wales. There then followed a year at King's School in Worcester and then I went on to be the HoD at the John Beddoes School in Presteigne in Powys. Around this time I joined the Editorial Board of Physics Education. After three years I moved on to Christ College in Brecon and started as one of the pilot Teacher Network Coordinators as I'd been organising meetings of Powys physics teachers for some time. Shortly afterwards my current post was advertised and I was lucky enough to be given the chance to try and make a difference on a larger scale...and I'm still trying!
Links with other agencies
We work quite closely with the Science Enhancement Project who do marvellous work with resources. We also work with the SLCs and the NSLC and have good links with the RSC. Locally I know quite a few of the physics teachers in Powys although I wish I could do more on a local level.
Aim/Mission
I'd like to help those teaching physics give a better experience to their pupils. We all know we have lessons where we could have done things better but were perhaps short of time to prepare or where something doesn't seem to be working but we're stuck on ways to improve matters. I hope we're playing a part in setting up a self supporting community where we can exchange ideas and learn from each other and where some of our support creates more time for teachers to explore their own ideas and keep their interest alive.
Personal interests
I have two sons, Jacob and James who take up most of my spare time. My partner teaches art and D&T in a secondary school...so I spend my evenings watching her marking and preparing lessons! I enjoy walks in the hills, cycling, swimming and triathlon. I don't really enjoy running but I do it anyway. I play the guitar and mandolin and listen to all sorts of music from Segovia to REM.
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