Posted on Wednesday 9th Mar 2016
Scientist Stephen Hawking has paid tribute to the teacher who inspired his early steps into scholarship.
He says Dikran Tahta at St Albans School opened his eyes to maths, which he describes as the "blueprint of the universe".
"My handwriting was bad, and I could be lazy. Many teachers were boring. Not Mr Tahta," said the physicist.
Prof Hawking was speaking ahead of this weekend's award of the Global Teacher Prize.
"His classes were lively and exciting. Everything could be debated. Together we built my first computer, it was made with electro-mechanical switches," said Prof Hawking.
"Thanks to Mr Tahta, I became a professor of mathematics at Cambridge, a position once held by Isaac Newton."
Prof Hawking said that "behind every exceptional person, there is an exceptional teacher".
Can't find what you are looking for?
Don't worry, please call us anyway to discuss your ideal job.
Latest News
02/09/25School to expand on land earmarked for graveyard
A number of schools in Kent are set to expand, including one on to land previously reserved for a graveyard, in an effort to meet growing demand for school places.
14/07/25AI revolution to give teachers more time with pupils
Pupils across England will benefit from more face-to-face time with teachers as the government forges ahead with plans to harness the power of AI to deliver educational excellence.
08/07/25Children with special needs will 'always' have 'legal right' to support, education secretary says
Bridget Phillipson seeks to dampen a looming row over whether the government could scrap tailored plans for children with special needs - as some Labour MPs fear a repeat of the welfare row.
07/07/25Government urged to keep education plans for children with special needs
Ministers are facing calls to not cut education plans for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (Send). Campaigners say education, health and care plans (EHCPs) are "precious legal protections", warning that thousands of children could lose access to education if the plans are abolished.
26/06/25Councils face millions in extra Send costs as overhaul delayed
Cash-strapped councils in England will be hit with hundreds of millions of pounds in extra costs after the government delayed tackling the £5bn deficits spent supporting children and young people with special needs and disabilities.
News Archive