An inspirational Coatbridge head teacher has decided to call time on her hugely successful career after serving the school for more than three decades.
Ellen Douglas has heavily influenced both pupils and staff at St Ambrose High since joining the school as principal teacher of geography in 1986.
She was then appointed depute head teacher in 1991, before rising to become acting senior depute head, senior depute and finally taking up her final post in 2007.
Ellen, 63, from Hamilton, began her educational career more than 40 years ago at Our Lady’s High School in Motherwell and since that time has taught generations of youngsters across Coatbridge.
Ellen told the Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser: ”I am Lanarkshire born and bred and started my teaching career in 1979.
“It didn’t take me long to decide that I didn’t want to be anywhere else other than St Ambrose.
“St Ambrose is the love of my life and that’s the bottom line.”
During her illustrious career, Ellen has devoted her time not only in selfless service to her students, but has also become an integral part of the community.
And in her recent email to parents before her retirement she said: “I am extremely grateful for the trust, understanding, and patience you have shown as we have worked together to try to improve the life chances of the young people.
“It has been an absolute joy to spend time with your children, the children who have gone before and, indeed, many of your good selves who I may have taught over the years.
“I will treasure the memories at St Ambrose.”
In her honour the school held a special Mass at St Augustine’s church, which was conducted by parish priest Father Michael Kane.
During his tribute to Ellen, Father Kane described her as “amazing” and a “great leader”.
Depute head teacher Alison Smith added: “She will be greatly missed. She has been a force for great good in the school.
“Ellen has been inspirational for pupils and staff alike.
“She postponed her retirement because of the global pandemic and that is testament to her character.”
Tributes to the much-loved Monklands head teacher have been pouring in, with internationally-acclaimed Coatbridge comic book writer Mark Millar tweeting: “Massive best wishes to my chum and former teacher Ellen Douglas as she retires from @stambrosehigh in Coatbridge after over 30 years service. She’s the best Head in the school’s history and everyone’s going to miss her like mad! X”.
As well as receiving a plethora of gifts and floral tributes from her colleagues and pupils, Ellen has been inundated with good wishes from the teaching world and her former students.
Ellen is now looking forward to spending time with family and friends and “living in the moment” as well as continuing with her other passions of running, gardening and travelling the globe, although she confessed: “I will miss the people, the buzz and all the wonder of what the young people do.”
