My husband, Gareth Young, who has died of an undiagnosed cardiovascular condition aged 46, was a teacher and trade unionist who had recently become deputy general secretary of the NASUWT teaching union. He was born in Solihull to Mike Young, a local government officer, and Sandra (nee Robinson), a civil servant, and attended Smith’s Wood school in Solihull, a challenging experience that inspired him to dedicate his professional life to education and equality of opportunity and sparked a passion for lifelong learning. Enchanted by his first visit to Winchester, he studied history with archaeology at the University of Winchester (formerly King Alfred’s College), spent an enjoyable year as vice-president of the student union there, and then completed a postgraduate diploma before heading to the University of Reading to do teacher training. He then spent nine years at the chalkface as a history teacher at Highdown school in Reading and then at two Birmingham schools, Lordswood girls’ school and Shenley Academy. Gareth joined NASUWT as a member of staff in its education team, relishing the chance to combine his teaching experience with his enthusiasm for the union movement and his passion for politics. He approached his work with dedication and rigour, challenging himself to develop expertise, first by gaining an MA with distinction in trade union policy and strategy from the University of Chester and then moving on to study for a professional doctorate in business and management at the University of Chester. His drive and commitment led to a growing role within the international union movement, including a place on the board of the (International) Education Solidarity Network. Gareth’s appointment in November 2020 to the role of NASUWT deputy general secretary marked a new chapter in his professional life, and he was inspired by the opportunity to lead. He was thoughtful, modest, humorous, knowledgable, kind and intelligent, with a great enthusiasm for history, learning, music, comedy (Laurel and Hardy in particular) and cinema. He was a politics and current affairs obsessive, and the Guardian was his first read every morning. He and I met in 1997 through a mutual friend and married in 2000. He is survived by me and our two children, Alex and Joe, and his parents.