Service to the school: Glen Edwards is celebrating 30 years of teaching at Goulburn Valley Grammar School.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
In 1987, he walked out of the school grounds for what he thought would be the last time, graduating from high school as a founding student.
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In 1993, he walked back in with a new position, teaching physical education at his old stomping ground.
It’s now 2023, 30 years of service to Goulburn Valley Grammar School later, and he hasn’t finished yet.
The students know him as Mr Ed, but his real name is Glen Edwards — and this year he celebrated 30 years of teaching.
Glen started as a physical education teacher, but over the years he has taught a range of subjects, including maths and personal development, and has been a part of the Year 9 program. That wasn’t always the plan, however.
“I finished Year 12 and I had never planned to go back, but here I am, 35 years after graduation,” he said with a chuckle.
Glen is the alumni co-ordinator and also teaches. He said he enjoyed seeing the return of past students to the school grounds.
“It’s always great to welcome them back for reunions, and generally, they’re happy to see everyone else, so that’s always a highlight,” Glen said.
Some of his favourite memories, such as overseas trips, he attributes to the school’s support.
“The school’s given me an opportunity to do things I wouldn’t otherwise do,” he said.
“The school gave me an opportunity to do the badminton co-ordination, which led me to work at the Sydney Olympics in 2000, and they supported it entirely.
“It’s probably made me confident, more confident as a person.
“When you’re teaching, you’ve obviously got your four walls, but outside the classroom, you can, you can do other things as well.”
The most significant change he’s seen is the advancement in technology, not just within the school but in the broader education system.
“It’s the technology — it’s developed so fast,” Glen said.
“I went from blackboards to whiteboards and smartboards.”
The students are a reason to come back day after day, but Glen said there was more to his work than the kids.
“Teachers come and go, and you sort of stay in contact for a while, and then you sort of lose contact with teachers, but then you make sort of new friends with other teachers, and that’s another rewarding thing,” he said.
“You see other young teachers come on, and then they become sort of well-established at school, and it’s great to see.”
The future for Glen is clear in his mind, and he is excited to stay at the school and spend time with his two daughters.
“Interesting enough, I’ve got two girls who are in primary school at the moment, so I’m looking forward to a new chapter with them at the school, with my oldest starting Year 7 in 2025,” he said.
Alongside Glen, three other members of staff are celebrating 30 years of service to the school: Nicole Sleeth, Kim Stokie and Cheryl Mechkaroff.
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