Bea Groves-McDaniel

I came back into education in 1980 when I started taking courses with the WEA (Workers' Educational Association). Within a year I had been recruited as a WEA volunteer, and shortly afterwards was Secretary of Whitley Bay WEA Branch, helping with the organisation and planning of courses for adults. Thereafter I was Chair of Newcastle WEA Branch, and was taking part in WEA affairs both regionally and nationally.

I started teaching in 1984, but first trained as a tutor in 1986, when I completed the C&G 730 Further Education Teachers Certificate. Afterwards I took the RSA Teachers' Cert’ in IT. I was also, at that point, part of the teaching team for North Tyneside College (now Tyne Metropolitan) C&G 730.This led to doing the Vocational Assessor's Award and a Licentiate with the City & Guilds (LCGI). By 1997 I had completed my Degree in FE with Sunderland University (with first-class honours). My degree topic was philosophy of education.

Throughout this time I was teaching ICT, Teacher Education, Philosophy, Politics, Science, Music History, and Counselling. I've worked almost continually as a contractual teacher and consultant, and have been employed by most of the FE and HE organisations in the Tyneside area. I still work for the WEA. In 2000 I was one of the prize winners in the NIACE national Tutor Awards.

In 1995 I was the founder (and General Secretary) of the Association of Part-Time Tutors (APTT) – a voluntary organisation set up to support, advise and train part-time tutors/lecturers in the further and adult education sector.

By 2009 I had joined the Institute for Learning (IfL), and stood for election as a member of the Institute's national Council. I was elected to Council that same year. I also applied for Qualified Teacher, Learning & Skills – and was awarded QTLS in 2010. When the elections for IfL President came along, I decided to have a try for the job. Much to my enormous surprise, I was successful! The President's role gave me a very wide range of experience and insight into how the further education system works, and allowed me to meet a great many IfL members around the country. I was then re-elected for a second term, which endorsed my effectiveness and popularity.

I was also appointed as National Ambassador for the WEA, an honour reflecting my almost forty years of service to the education community.In 2017 I married, and am now the wife of an extraordinary American musician: Roxanne McDaniel

It's been quite an amazing journey!