“Trees have roots” she suddenly announced in one lesson, “which connect them with the ground.”

I had heard lots of teachers speak about ‘rooting to the ground’ – but never Miss Goldie. I was surprised, but somehow felt on more familiar ground. “Trees… roots…. yes, I know about all that…”

Then, as if to shock me out of my complacency, she stood back a foot or so and added, “But we are not trees. Legs are not for support; they are for movement.”

(Taken from “Remembering Margaret Goldie – Recollections of a Grateful Pupil”, by John Hunter. First published in STAT News January 2023)