Doug Lyons Scotland

Tell us about some of the positions you held before you embarked on the teaching degree?  

I always worked with numbers within the upstream oil and gas sector. I began as an accountant and moved into oil and gas economics. I was very lucky to do a lot of travelling with my job, as many of the projects I worked on were based in Africa. When I moved back to Edinburgh, I started to work in areas that were of a strong interest to me.  

What attracted you to a career as a business studies teacher?  

Since 2013, I have been a coach for my son’s football team. Going to football training and games undoubtably became the highlight of my week. I found working with young people extremely rewarding, and I felt that a new career in teaching would be a good fit for me.  

Why did you choose Queen Margaret University? 

Right from the very start, I found the staff at QMU very supportive. After making an initial enquiry, I had a very quick response from the Programme Leader, and I was encouraged to make an application. This supportive approach from the teaching staff was to continue through the duration of the course.    

Tell us about applying for the course 

It was quite late on in the application timeline, so I applied for the PGDE (Secondary) Business Education via Clearing. I was amazed that there were still a few places left, so I just decided to go for it. The process was very smooth – I spent a good while creating a strong application – and I was well supported and guided through the application process by the QMU admissions team. It was all a bit of a whirlwind!  I applied at the end of June 2024, and I started the course in August that year. I was over the moon to be accepted onto the course, as it was something I had considered for many years. The whole experience of applying, being accepted and starting back at university was a big change for me, but it was pretty exciting to be starting a new adventure. 

How did you settle into the course?

 As a mature student, being out of the education system for many years was a little bit disorientating at first. Most of my classmates were recent undergraduates and were a bit more in the groove. But it didn’t take long to settle in. One of the best things about QMU is the small class sizes. There’s no hiding at the back, but it makes for excellent group discussions. I was lucky to have a great set of classmates, and there was always someone to talk to. 

What areas of the course have you most enjoyed? 

I have met so many inspiring people - my classmates, the school staff and the QMU teaching staff. I feel very lucky about that.

I spent quite a lot of time in the Learning Resource Centre at QMU. I don’t think I appreciated the library when I was an undergraduate in the 1990s, but I really valued the time in what I found to be a fantastic learning space to really get into the material. 

What have you found most challenging about the course?  

While it’s expected, the deadlines do come quickly. Writing my first essay did seem like jumping in the deep end a bit, and it took a bit of time to rediscover academic literature - of which there is no shortage in education. 

What did you enjoy about studying at Queen Margaret University?  

The University has a fantastic atmosphere. It’s a great learning environment and I love the sense of community. There’s a great Learning Resource Centre that offers fantastic spaces for students to study in and to do group work. It’s just a really supportive and inspiring place to be a student. 

Did you use any additional support services whilst at QMU?  

I used the Effective Learning Service, which provides one-to-one support for students on any aspect of their learning. It was quite reassuring to have that facility. For my first essay the staff helped me identify the style of writing I should use.

There’s plenty of different support services available at QMU if students need to use them, and all of the staff are very friendly, approachable and supportive.  

Tell us about your teaching placements

They do say every school is different, and that was definitely my experience. It was a bit of a shock at first to be back in the classroom after so much time, but I absolutely loved it. I learned so much just from watching experienced teachers in action – it really helped shape the kind of teacher I want to be. 

What were your high points during placement? 

There were so many high points during my placements.

I enjoyed seeing learners have those ‘lightbulb’ moments when something clicked for them – especially when I’d tried a new approach and it worked. Building relationships with the pupils and seeing their confidence grow over time was incredibly rewarding. Even just small things, like a quiet pupil starting to contribute more, or a class settling into a routine I’d established, felt like real wins. 

One of the standout moments was at the end of my first placement when one of my classes gave me a card and a box of chocolates. It was such a lovely surprise and meant a lot to know they’d enjoyed my classroom! 

What were the challenges? 

Like anyone on placement, I had to adapt to different environments and ways of working. Some settings were more supportive than others, so I had to rely on my own resilience and stay focused on the pupils and their learning. It was a real test of adaptability, but I learned a lot from both the highs and the tougher moments. 

But a good aspect of a challenging lesson is that there are plenty of opportunities to reflect and adapt, and to try something different in the next lesson. 

One of the best aspects of QMU is the availability of the teaching staff. It’s easy to get advice and have really supportive discussions if they are required. 

What do you find most rewarding about working with young people?

Seeing young people grow in confidence is very rewarding - whether it’s grasping a new concept, speaking up in class, or just starting to believe in themselves. 

What do you feel you bring to the teaching profession?

I feel I bring a lot of real-world experience to the teaching profession, especially when it comes to Business and Administration. I’ve been able to draw on my own background in the workplace to bring lessons to life and make them more relatable. I’ve noticed that some learners really respond to that – they’re more engaged when they can see how what they're learning actually applies in real jobs and everyday situations. 

I think it helps build credibility too – when pupils know you’ve been out there and done it, they tend to listen a bit more closely. It also allows me to give more meaningful examples and answer their questions in a practical, down-to-earth way. 

What is most important to you as a teacher? 

Building strong relationships with the young people I work with is important. If you can make that connection, everything else becomes easier – they’re more likely to engage, take risks in their learning, and feel comfortable in the classroom.

I always try to find the right balance between being fun and approachable, but also firm and consistent. I want pupils to enjoy coming to class, but also to know what’s expected of them. 

At the end of the day, I just really want to make a difference – whether that’s helping a young person feel more confident, sparking their interest in a subject, or just being someone they know believes in them. That’s what keeps me motivated. 

What are your hopes for your future? 

I am really optimistic about the next steps and the school that I will be going to in my probation year. While this is my immediate focus, I am looking forward to a second career in teaching and doing the best job I can to make a difference in the classroom. 

What are you looking forward to most? 

I can’t wait to get into my probation year. It will be a big change from being a student teacher where the class will be my own. It feels very real now! 

Sum up your experience of studying at QMU?  

A great vibe on campus, supportive approachable staff, small classes and just good fun. 

What advice would you give to anyone considering do the PGDE (Secondary) Business Education?

Business Education is a great and varied subject. I have no regrets having made this big change. If you feel like you’d like a career teaching young people a subject that will give them life skills beyond school, then I’d recommend the PGDE (Secondary) Business at QMU.

 

Posted August 2025