Overseas tales from teacher

RETIRED teacher Valerie Reid was welcomed as the speaker at the Garioch Probus Club and through illustrations during 12 different trips, showed the valuable experience of helping school children.

Her career took her to Dyce, Inverurie, Harlaw and Torry academies, and she pursued her interests going down a coal mine with 14 students and a workshop at Stratford, with the mentoring coming from the outstanding actor, Ian McKellan.

The education system in Adelaide in Australia in 1986, was part of a teacher exchange programme which broadened her knowledge and appreciation of the Aussie culture.

The school field trips then continued to Russia, Holland on bikes, and then Germany at Kassel which is the home land of Brothers Grimm.

While in South Africa, the problems of the Townships were studied and new ventures to challenge children came next for 13 to14-year-olds, and over three.

Then her pupils went on to win the Rock Challenge for Scottish schools. The 40-minute presentation was followed by many questions from Probus members.

These questions elicited information on the value of exchanges, helping youngsters appreciate the cultures, and different challenges others face abroad.

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.