School News

When she is not in the classroom Sam Thiel, Teacher of Modern Languages and Modern Studies, can often be found out on the road running – a passion she also shares with pupils through the Morrison’s Academy running club.

Sam first discovered her love for running during the second lockdown while living in Aberdeenshire. Starting with four runs a week alongside a daily yoga routine, she wasn’t convinced it was going to last. Having always disliked running she was surprised to quickly catch the running bug as the physical and mental benefits became clear. 

What began as short local runs soon developed into bigger challenges. In 2024 Sam took part in the Stirling 10K before completing the Edinburgh Half Marathon the following year – an achievement made even more remarkable by the fact that the next day she was heading off on a school trip to London!

At Morrison’s Academy, Sam shares her passion every Wednesday through the school running club for S1-6 pupils. The club offers a supportive space where pupils can enjoy the outdoors together, challenge themselves and build new friendships. The focus is not on competition but on simply giving it a go.

Running has taught Sam that progress looks different for everyone, a principle she encourages in her pupils every day. Whether learning new vocabulary or training for a race, it’s about setting personal goals and celebrating the progress made. This mindset mirrors the classroom where her pupils are guided to focus on personal improvement rather than comparison with others.

Never one to rest on her laurels, Sam is currently working towards the Dunblane 12K with a colleague and the SupaNova night run across the Forth Road Bridge later this year. For Sam, setting challenges for herself is another way to show her pupils that progress happens by showing up and trying again.

This feature forms part of our Passions That Teach series, which celebrates how teachers’ interests beyond the classroom enrich learning and reflect the school’s ethos of Teachers As Learners. At Morrison’s Academy we believe the best teachers are learners too – and when teachers continue to learn, pupils thrive.