Dr John-Harden (Ian) Adams, spent his whole career as a Modern Languages teacher at Elgin Academy
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A BELOVED Elgin Academy languages teacher has passed away.
Dr John-Harden (known as Ian) Adams worked at the school for almost 30 years as a teacher and then as Principal Teacher of Modern Languages.
Ian spent his whole career at Elgin Academy, working there from 1976 to 2004 with his wife Pierrette.
Scottish born Ian met Pierrette while living in France and the pair got married there in 1968 before returning to Elgin to teach at the Academy.
Although the couple lived in Scotland, they continued to have strong links with France and had an incredible impact on young people in both countries.
Family friend Muriel El Ghouzzi, said her dad's lifelong friendship with Ian left her with deep ties to Scotland.
Muriel said: "My father met Dr Adams in 1965 when they did Scouts together in France and they remained friends for 67 years.
"He had such a huge impact on our lives, our family have visited Scotland every year for the last 42 years.
"When we were young they even found my brother and I pen-pals in Scotland. Because Dr Adams and Pierrette were such good teachers and knew their pupils so well, they picked us the perfect pen friends. Our pen pals, Kevin and Diane are still in our lives and close friends of ours, and Kevin is even my eldest daughters Godfather."
Ian's impact on the family has continued throughout the generations, Muriel's eldest daughter Anna (17) is one of only three French highland dancers in the world and her 11-year-old twin daughters have the middle names Edina and Aneda, which both mean Edinburgh in Latin.
Muriel added: "We have a very close attachment to Scotland and the Scottish people and it's all because of Dr Adams.
"Ian and Pierrette have had a crazy impact on our family and our lives and I know he had an amazing impact on his students too."
Having spent his whole career at Elgin Academy, many former pupils and staff at the school remembered him fondly with many posting fond memories online.
Sue Taylor who worked with Dr Adams at the school said: "One of the most humble, highly intelligent colleagues I have worked with previously. A true highly regarded professional who had naturally carved his trade."
Fiona Chapman said: "So sad to hear this news. I had the pleasure of working with Dr Adams and his lovely wife Pierette at EA. Pupil needs always came first and Dr Adams always had time for younger staff to help us along our teaching journey."
