As a long-serving staff member at Werribee Primary School, Catherine Millar is a familiar face to many children and families.
Ms Millar started teaching at the school in 1988 after working at the now closed Altona East and Laverton primary schools.
Ms Millar has been recognised by the Department of Education and Training for her 40-year career in Victorian education, along with 420 other teachers and school-based professionals.
At a ceremony in Melbourne last week, Education Minister James Merlino presented attendees with certificates of appreciation.
Werribee MP Tim Pallas thanked Ms Millar for her contribution to education, saying “her positive impact has been felt by generations of young students”.
Ms Millar said her career at Werribee Primary had included “12 joyous years” teaching in the school’s art room, coaching and literacy, team-teaching in a classroom and acting as a curriculum co-ordinator.
She said her current role as a leading teacher involved “anything and everything”, including interacting with children and mentoring her colleagues.
Ms Millar said one of the most important aspects of teaching was the development of a strong relationship between educators and their students.
“I love the fact that it’s a dynamic profession,” she said.
“We say to the kids, ‘I never stop learning, you never stop learning’.”
Ms Millar said this important lesson was one that she had also imparted to her two children – including her son, who is also a teacher at Werribee Primary School.
