Published on:
20
June 2012
Mary Baxter, head teacher at Sauchie Nursery for almost 20 years, will bring the curtain down on her glittering career this week when she retires from teaching.
It will end an outstanding 38 years of service, which began in the infant department at Bonnybridge Primary School. After several years, and attaining the position of acting deputy head, she moved to become head teacher at Muir Primary School.
Mary, from Bonnybridge, achieved two post graduate degrees in nursery education and in infant teaching before taking a short break from service, although continued as a supply teacher for one year at Antonine Primary.
She returned to full-time teaching at Inchyra Nursery in Grangemouth as senior teacher, and soon after as acting head, before moving to Sauchie Nursery, where she has spent almost 20 years of dedicated service.
Clackmannanshire Council's Convenor of Education, Sport and Leisure, Councillor Ellen Forson said: "Teachers like Mary are an inspiration to us all. We would like to thank her for her loyalty, dedication and outstanding service to the community and Clackmannanshire as a whole and wish her a long and happy retirement."
Mary, who's husband Jim works in finance with an engineering company in Kilsyth, has one son, Jim, 29, a graduate in civil engineering.
In her retirement she plans to spent more time doing voluntary work with Soroptomists International in Falkirk, who do a lot of support work for Women's Aid and the Samaritans.
Mary said: "I hope to be able to lunch a lot with friends, go on shopping sprees and holidays. Teaching has been a thoroughly enjoyable career and it has been a privilege to have been a teacher for so many years.
"I have also been a very keen player of the piano, which has taken a back seat for a while. I hope to be able to play the piano more in my retirement."
Mary also admitted to being a keen cook and gardener.
She was honoured on Wednesday 20th June, with a special presentation to mark her retirement.