A creative mind that loves teaching!

After working for several years for a small catering company, Thomas Gray entered University to pursue his dream of teaching science, via an Engineering degree and teaching certificate.  After teaching Physics and Computing in the UK for ten years, he moved to France where he headed up the science and boarding departments in a small International school.  Four years later he moved to Switzerland, where he taught in another International school before joining César Ritz Colleges Switzerland to teach Maths, Calculus, Chemistry and Photography. He is a keen musician, playing drums and singing in the band “Gravity Well” (currently recording their debut album), as well as enjoying hill walking and Amateur Radio.

Why did you decide to go into the teaching profession?

I was 13 and I had a very good chemistry teacher. And he inspired me to become a teacher. I tried to do other things but I became bored. I enjoy the fact that every day is different and I get to meet a lot of people.

Did you experience any benefits or disappointments that you did not foresee when you first became a teacher?

I didn’t realize how tiring it would be. So much to think about when you start off and it’s exhausting. A couple years ago I was teaching in French and I felt like a new teacher again and it was very challenging.

Even though I’m a classic introvert I love being in contact with people everyday.

Why did you decide to teach at César Ritz Colleges?

I used to work in the hospitality industry, as a general manager in a small catering business, planning events. I heard Switzerland was a great place for hospitality and heard about César Ritz and its reputation so I decided to come here.

What has changed the most since you began teaching in César Ritz Colleges?

The culinary program has grown exponentially compared to four years ago when I started.

If you had to do it all over again would you still become a teacher?

No, I would be a professional musician. However I wouldn’t have the amazing family I have if I had chosen that career path.

Music is something I discovered about 6 years ago, so if I could talk to me at 18, I would have encouraged myself to start playing music because it is something which has changed my life.

What have been the most difficult and also the most rewarding parts of your career as a teacher?

The most rewarding part as a teacher is when you see a student getting an idea and you see their faces light up and I love that.

The hardest is when you have people who refuse to try. I can work with anyone who prefers either traditional or non-traditional methods, but the most important element for me is that they give the best of themselves.

What advice would you give to a new teacher who just arrived in César Ritz Colleges?

Keep on top of the paperwork, make sure that you are grounded enough in what you are teaching to deliver good classes but flexible enough to go off on a tangent if a class needs it. And have fun!

Describe yourself in 3 words.

Willing to help.

What is your worst habit and how have you tried to change it?

Procrastination. By Setting myself achievable targets and alarms!

What do you enjoy doing outside of your teaching hours?

Making music! And communicating, I do a little bit of radio. And learning about new things, I’m an information junky!

Scrumptious food!