Geelong High School teacher Bruce Hildebrand reflects on 50 years of teaching

Geelong teacher Bruce Hildebrand has reflected on his decades in the job, as the state government celebrates its longest-serving teachers.

Bruce Hildebrand has been a teacher for 50 years and is among a cohort being recognised for their long service in the sector. Picture: Alan Barber

Geelong High School teacher Bruce Hildebrand has taught for five decades and has no intention of slowing down.

The 70-year-old Drysdale resident has taught multiple generations of the same families during his career as an English teacher and has become a much-loved member of current school community.

Mr Hildebrand started his teaching journey in 1973 with a studentship, and said he never looked back.

He started his first placement as a certified teacher in 1977, which he said was “very challenging and overwhelming”.

He said he was placed at a school in Dimboola in western Victoria at very short notice.

“About four days before school started … I got a letter and it said you’ve got to be in Dimboola by Saturday,” he said.

“I didn’t event know where or what a Dimboola was – a place or another planet.

“That was a bit of a culture shock, but I was absolutely loved it.”

Mr Hildebrand has seen many changes throughout his career, including the introduction of modern technology.

When he first started teaching he had to use printing machines to make copies for classes and had to try to avoid smudges.

Mr Hildebrand held teaching positions at a number of different schools, including at Geelong East Technical School.

He moved to Geelong High School in 2001, and said the best part of being a teacher for so long was teaching the children of people he’d taught previously.

“That’s a really lovely memory,” Mr Hildebrand said.

“(It’s nice) teaching the kids and catch up with the parents.

“The kids always want to know ‘were mum and dad nice or naughty at school?’

“The ongoing generations (is my favourite part).”

Mr Hildebrand has taught VCE in the past, but this year teachers English to year 9 and 10 students.

He was among 304 staff who were honoured by the state government for 40, 45, 50 and 55 years of service to education in Victoria.

Other honorees included Farid Anawati from Western Heights Secondary College for his 55-year career so far.

While a lot of people his age are changing paces into retirement, Mr Hildebrand said he wasn’t considering that move yet, because the love for the work was still there.

Originally published as Geelong High School teacher Bruce Hildebrand reflects on 50 years of teaching