Elgin Academy teacher brings near four-decade career to an end
A teacher who has dedicated nearly four decades of her life to a school in the town she grew up in has brought her career to an end.
Guidance teacher Lynne Bowley has retired from Elgin Academy having worked at the school for 37 years.
Lynne started her career at Banff Academy initially but “jumped” at the chance to take up a position as a PE teacher at Elgin Academy in 1988 before becoming a guidance teacher at the school in 2000.
“I kind of fell into teaching to be honest because I originally wanted to be a vet but failing maths was kind of the nail in the coffin for that career,” Lynne joked.
“I’d always been into things like gymnastics and hockey and things like that and I had a couple of really inspirational PE teachers at high school so I just thought if I can’t be a vet I’ll become a PE teacher.”
Former colleagues Ian Robertson and Linda Watson, who have both sadly passed away, acted as mentors for Lynne in her early years and she still holds memories of working alongside the pair close to her heart today.
“It was a privilege to work alongside them,” she said.
“They were two really iconic, legendary teachers who probably taught me everything I know.
“They were both massive mentors for me.”
Teaching, while being a highly rewarding career, can pose its challenges.
However, Lynne says there is no secret to her longevity.
“It’s just about having really positive relationships,” she said.
“You’ve got to have resilience and have positive relationships with your colleagues and with the kids you work with.
“A sense of humour helps as well so the time has gone really quickly.
“I’ll really miss my colleagues and my seniors as well because you build up such a relationship with them.
“By the time they get to fifth and sixth year, you know them really well.”
Retirement brings its own challenges. Loss of routine and a sudden abundance of free time can be daunting for many who have become accustomed to a hectic and demanding working routine.
But Lynne won’t have any trouble keeping herself busy.
She said: “I’d like to do some work with DYW Moray again because that’s a real passion of mine - steering folks on the right pathway that are not necessarily going to uni or college.
“I train dogs and I show dogs and breed dogs as well so I’ll have a lot to do with that.
“I judge all over the world for that as well and I’ve actually done that at Crufts.
“It will be different not having that Elgin Academy routine but I’ll have plenty to keep me busy.”
