School's out forever for dedicated languages teacher at St Aidan's High in Wishaw
Fiona McGrogan has spent the last 36 years educating young people in Lanarkshire
A dedicated teacher will bid a final farewell to her high school years in Wishaw as the bell rings for the summer holidays.
Fiona McGrogan has been teaching for 36 years but will retire and now hopes to get around to reading through her 'many books'.
The principal teacher of languages at St Aidan's High will walk through the school gates in Waverley Drive for the last time as a teacher this week after 36 years of teaching. Fiona's been working at the school since 1993.
'I always liked working with young people and I loved my subjects, so it was a natural fit," Fiona said.
'Teaching has been my only permanent job. I did enjoy waitressing though.
'I have mainly been an English teacher, but my degree is in English and German, and I started out teaching German. It's funny as I have come full circle and have ended up managing Modern Languages as faculty head since 2020.'
At the beginning of her career new teachers were to do a stint in temporary posts before landing a permanent position at a school. Fiona taught all over Lanarkshire but when she first walked in the door at St Aidan's in 1993 she knew she had found a home and was going to love the place.
She remained there for over three decades and has been a Principal Teacher since 1999.
Fiona admits she will miss discussing literature with students and watching how their ideas develop and that the education is a two-way street.
'I learn something new from them every time,' Fiona revealed. 'And kids never fail to surprise me and make me laugh.'
So, what will the long-standing teacher do with her newly found free time after retiring?
'I love reading, theatre, and catching up with friends,' Fiona added. 'I'm looking forward to working my way through my many books.
'I want to go to the theatre a lot, and do more walking and travelling. Who knows, I might even develop new talents!'
And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here.
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