A Bolton teacher has shared his heartwarming experience of educating the next generation as part of Thank a Teacher Day.

Schools, teachers, support staff, children and families across the country have come together to pay tribute to all the school staff at the heart of their communities, to mark the day (Wednesday June 21).

Tony Grogan - a history teacher at Turton School in Bolton - says nothing beats having a lasting positive impact on young people’s lives.

Mr Grogan said: “As a teacher, you have the opportunity to make young people fill their potential and have an impact on their lives way beyond their classroom years.

“What motivates me most about my role is how you see students transform during their time at school.

“I have been fortunate to see students’ progress from Year Seven through to Year 13 – and you realise that to students you are doing much more than simply teaching a subject.

The Bolton News: History teacher Tony Grogan - Turton School

“As a teacher, the conversations you have with students outside the classroom, those small interactions in the corridors of a busy school mean so much to students.”

Reflecting on his time as a teacher he recalled a moment when he was given a note from one of his year 11 pupils this year.

The note read: “Not only did you help me learn and enjoy history, but you also made me feel heard, and made me feel like I could come and talk to you if times are getting hard.

“You will never understand how much I appreciate it, so thank you.”

He added: “We all have memories of a teacher who inspired us during our time at school, and I hope to do the same for the students that I teach.

“For me, the teacher that has had a lasting impact in my life is Ms Nutall.

“She was my English teacher in my first year of secondary school.

“She helped me find my voice and to have the confidence to stand up and be heard.

“It is interesting to think I have now ended up teaching – but I know I have Ms Nutall to thank for that and I hope I do her justice.

“Like any other profession, teaching can be hard work at times, however working with young people every day is a real privilege – when someone does say thank you.

“It means a huge amount and makes all the hard work worth it.”

Latest research from the national Get Into Teaching campaign found almost nine in ten teachers (87 per cent) say that they can learn something from every student they teach.

The Get Into Teaching campaign supports the ‘National Thank a Teacher Day’, led by the Teaching Awards Trust.

As part of the celebrations, young people and their families are encouraged to thank the teachers and school staff who help give them a sense of belonging and positively impact their lives – using the hashtags #ThankATeacherDay and #WhoHelpedYou.

If you have a story and something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at jasmine.jackson@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @JournoJasmine.