RSGS medal honour for inspirational teacher
A retired Perth Academy teacher who“poured his heart and soul” into teaching geography has been presented with a Royal Scottish Geographical Society medal.
At its Perth headquarters recently, the Royal Scottish Geographical Society presented Kenneth Maclean with the prestigious Tivy Education Medal for his services to the teaching of geography.
Kenneth is now retired from Perth Academy, where he was head of department.
Over the years he has written numerous highly regarded textbooks - his first in 1975, and his latest,‘Higher Geography’, in 2005.
Expressing his delight at receiving the award, Kenneth said:“I must stress that such a recognition of any contribution that I may have made to geographical education is also an acknowledgement of the work of my co-author Norman Thomson, and the hard work and backing that I received from my colleagues in the geography departments at Perth Academy.”
The Royal Scottish Geographical Society said of his career:“Kenneth remains an outstanding educationalist in every way and for over 40 years poured his heart and soul into the teaching of his much-loved discipline.
Jean Pringle, former colleague at Perth Academy, added:“As a head of department he had the admiration of all who worked with him. He was an innovator and an inspiration.“
Kenneth once taught the cabinet secretary for communities and local government, Aileen Campbell.
She wrote to the Royal Scottish Geographical Society about her memories of school in Perth:“Mr Maclean’s classes instilled a love of geography, probably because it was so evident that he loved and was passionate about the subject himself.”