WIMMERA teachers have been recognised for their long service to education in Victoria.
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Teachers Helen Adams and Pamela Young of Horsham Primary School, John Foley of Warracknabeal Secondary College and Trevor Whitfield of Donald High School were celebrated for their 45 years of service to the teaching industry.
Edward Matters of Donald Primary School, Joan Solly of Rainbow P-12 College and Bronwyn Wade of SWV Western District Service Support also reached their 45-year milestone.
Meanwhile, Keryn Ackland of Horsham Primary School, Myrna Allan of Dimboola Memorial Secondary School, Susan Canty of Ararat Secondary College and Merrilyn Opie of Horsham College were recognised for their 40 years of service.
Mrs Opie has never thought about changing her career path. She said her passion for teaching has never faltered.
“I love just about everything – the students, the staff and I love the school with a passion,” she said.
“I often find students in my class who I have taught their parents. I like that – it’s a sense of continuity and makes a connection with the students.”
Mrs Opie said the curriculum had changed from very rigid lessons to classes where teachers had the freedom to make adjustments to students’ needs.
“I like that. I have the freedom to adjust classes to the students’ needs,” she said.
“I especially love the underdog kids. With a little bit of time, teachers can make a difference.”
Horsham Primary School’s Ms Ackland said she was fortunate to have found her passion from a young age.
“I just really wanted to be a teacher. I had great role models and watching these people, I just knew that was what I wanted to do,” Ms Ackland said.
Ms Ackland said she has taught in the region for 40 years, which allowed her to see former students grow up.
“I go up the street and see lots of children that I have taught who now have great jobs,” she said.
“The greatest joy is that they remember me after all those years.”
She said she was now teaching her former student’s children and it was lovely to see the similarities.