When Michele Robb crossed the stage to receive her PGDE she dedicated the success to her mum Lizzie, who died suddenly just as she commenced her studies.
Michele, from Saline in Fife, returned to University as a mature student to follow her dream of becoming a primary teacher but shortly before she was due to start her mum received an advanced cancer diagnosis and died just three weeks later.
Michele started her studies in Aberdeen the day after Lizzie’s funeral which meant leaving her family during the hardest time of their lives.
But her mum instilled in her that with ‘determination, resilience, and self-belief, it is never too late to achieve your goals’ and despite further setbacks along the way, Michele has drawn on the strength she inspired to complete her studies.
“My journey at the University of Aberdeen has been one of the most challenging, emotional, and rewarding experiences of my life,” she said.
“For the first six weeks, I lived in Aberdeen while trying to process grief alongside the demands of university and placements. During that time, I was fortunate to have the support of my cousin and her daughter, who cared for me, encouraged me, and helped me through such a difficult period. I will always be grateful for the love and support they gave me when I needed it most. “My university journey was not always plain sailing. I experienced setbacks, including failed placements, moments of self-doubt, and personal struggles. However, no matter how difficult things became, I never gave up. I made a promise to my mum that I would keep going, and that promise became my motivation to continue pushing forward.”
Despite the challenges, there were many highlights and achievements along the way to degree success.
“Through resilience, determination, and hard work, I grew both personally and professionally, developing the confidence and skills needed to become a teacher,” Michele added.
“Graduating is not only an achievement for me, but also a tribute to my mum and the strength she inspired in me every single day.”
Michele will now begin her probation year in August and is looking forward to continuing to grow as a teacher, gaining experience in the classroom, and making a positive difference in children’s lives. She said: “In the future, I hope to continue developing my knowledge and skills, particularly in literacy and supporting children’s confidence in learning. Most importantly, I want to be the kind of teacher who creates a supportive, encouraging, and inclusive environment where every child feels valued and capable of succeeding.”