Ex-Black Watch physical training instructor from Perth gets teaching start in Aberdeen

Jul 5 2011 by Les Stewart, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

A FORMER Perth soldier has battled against the odds to fulfil a lifelong ambition – and become a PE teacher.

Alex Wasinowicz (51) left Perth High School in 1976 with no formal qualifications.

But after more than a decade of study as a mature student, he has now graduated from the University of Central Lancashire with first class honours.

He is now working for Aberdeen Council as a PE teacher at Bucksburn Academy and Aberdeen Grammar School.

“I first knew that I wanted to teach at the age of 12, when I was asked to cover a class for my martial arts instructor at St Stephen’s Hall in Perth,” recalled Alex yesterday.

“He asked me to take a class of adults – and that was it. Something stuck with me that a young kid could teach adults.”

It was almost 40 years later, however, before that dream of working as a PE teacher finally became a reality.

“That’s why I joined the army. In the 1970s, an ex-army PT instructor was eligible to work as a PE teacher,” he explained.

He enlisted in the 1st Battalion The Black Watch and was serving in Northern Ireland on his 18th birthday.

Further postings included Guyana during the Jonestown Massacre and Werl, in West Germany.

After leaving the Army as a PTI, he moved to Aberdeen and set up several businesses, pursuing his boyhood passion for martial arts.

He established the Scottish School of Martial Arts and also boxed for Scotland.

But his desire to become a teacher never left him. Karate was given the chop – and he “went back to school” in his 40s to achieve the necessary qualifications.

“More than a decade ago I decided to make my dream of teaching a reality – and started from scratch,” explained Alex.

“I enrolled at Aberdeen College and began 11 years of studying. I had to pass an HNC in health and fitness, an HND in sports coaching and development and a Certificate of Higher Education in physical education.

“I then graduated from university with a first class honours degree in sports studies and PE only to find out that I required Scottish Higher qualifications – or the equivalent – in English and mathematics to go onto a teachers' training programme in England.”

He achieved an 'A' in mathematics and a 'B' in English and completed his teacher training in 2008.

“A probationary period followed, but because I was teaching too much mathematics in England and not enough PE the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS), where I wanted to work, told me to start my probation over again.

“I was devastated but didn’t give up. Three years later – and after much frustration – I have now qualified.

“I attribute my success to my tough Army training and, although it may sound clichéd, the Army helped me be the best that I can be.”

Alex’s proud mother Lina, who was born in Italy, was among those present at the graduation ceremony.

Mrs Wasinowicz, who celebrated her 82nd birthday last month, lives in Scone.