Alison retired on Friday 27 June 2003. Here is her own account of her teaching experience.

I have been around the teaching profession for 37 years,but 3 of these I was allowed off on parole to have my family.

Having always wanted to teach,I finally took up the chalk at Hunter High in East Kilbride. In these days you were "on probation" for two years and during this period I taught History and English.

After cutting my probationary teeth here, I had time off to have a family, returning in 1971 to take up teaching again at what had been my old school,Rutherglen Academy. Teaching theories had now changed and it had amalgamated with another school and become a "Comprehensive",Stonelaw High.

It was a strange feeling entering the old portals. I felt as if I had never left school! Stonelaw High has,ofcourse,now been given a new school building and the old building in which I taught and learned is now a modern block of flats.Past pupils have told me they have been in what was my room - but it has changed somewhat!

Here before these changes,I took up teaching English which was my preferred subject and I spent many enjoyable years. I ran drama groups for some time and we staged performances.During this time I also taught "Improvised Drama" and we were allowed to use the Masonic Lodge across the road for rehearsing.

I was appointed to the position of Senior Teacher at Stonelaw High,where I was in charge of Adult Education.,although I continued to do my main job as English Teacher.

In 1991 I moved down to Ayrshire and for three years I was at the mercy of British Rail as a commuter!

Then in 1994 I joined Ardrossan Academy as a Senior Teacher. I was still following my basic teaching role as English Teacher but ,as Senior Teacher,I took over the "Classchat" column and provided the Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald with news of what had been happening in the school weekly. I was working with the Ardrossan "paparazzi"! This proved an interesting task and over the years it has been amazing what Ardrossan Academy teachers and pupils have "got up to"! It has,however,been a privilege to be instrumental in recording it. As well as this I enjoyed helping with prize-giving and areas such as work experience.

During my time at Ardrossan I particularly liked helping on the sidelines with the school shows which revealed the rich talent in the building.

One of the greatest changes I see in Education from when I started teaching is the ICT revolution. Computers are everywhere and pupils produce much of their work by this method.

My first love has always been English and so,as I retire from teaching,I may indulge in writing as well as a spot of gardening,but as I sit in my garden lounger,I will be remembering all the friends and pupils "For whom the Bell Tolls".

Alison Green

This website wishes Alison a happy and long retirement.