Let me quote to you from a story in which a teacher was being put down for what she made as a salary: You want to know what I make, she said. I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could. I make them wonder. I make them question. I make them apologize and mean it. I make them have respect and take responsibility for their actions. I make them read, read, read, I make them write and show all their working in maths. I make their classroom a place where they feel safe. And I make them understand that if they use their God-given gifts properly, work hard, and follow their hearts, then they can succeed. In my role as a tertiary adviser, I am greatly encouraged by the wonderful talent that is passing through teacher training and this evening we are seeing more examples of exceptional Early-Career Educators and the Research Award winner. My hope is that when the time comes for you to finally clean the whiteboard or turn off the Smartboard for the last time, you will be honoured by statements from former pupils such as those quoted by Wendy Harmer writing earlier this year in a local newspaper about the retirement of a very long-serving teacher. Here are a few: You made us feel we were clever and important. You had a smile that made us feel happy and safe to enter the classroom. You always encouraged children to get involved and feel they could do it. Most importantly, you taught us how to be good people. Let me conclude by returning to where I began by thanking many colleagues over the years for their wonderful friendship, support and expertise and by again expressing my gratitude to the Guild. I wish The Teachers’ Guild of NSW many, many more years of success; may it continue to flourish for another 120 years and at that time may it be celebrated by another group of passionate educators as we are tonight.
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