Mr G, one of the Territory’s most loved teachers, retires after 37 years

HE’S the teacher with a big personality that has left an even bigger impression on the lives of his students and now he is retiring after 37 years as a one team player.

HE’S the teacher with a big personality that has left an even bigger impression on the lives of his students.

After 37 years teaching in the Top End, Gaetano Gugliotta, or ‘Mr G’ as he’s known by in the classroom, will retire from his post at Nakara Primary School this Friday.

With his trademark humour and flare, Mr Gugliotta, 59, told the NT News he was proud to be “a one-club man” after nearly four decades teaching at Nakara.

Mr Gugliotta, who has taught mostly upper-primary school classes and helmed many sports teams in his time at Nakara Primary, joined the school as a 23-year-old fresh out of Darwin Community College.

Nakara Primary School teacher Gaetano Gugliotta, or ‘Mr G’, retires this Friday after 37 years teaching Territory kids. Picture: Keri Megelus

“In my time so many things have changed around me, and I’ve grown along with the school” he said.

“As a young teacher you might not be quite sure what you’re doing, but as you get older you see the influence you have on the kids is not to be taken lightly — it’s a special responsibility you have,

“That’s why I’m so proud when (past students) come back 20-25 years later and they can remember you, they say hello, and remember the things you did and they remember them fondly.”

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Mr Gugliotta said he was most proud when those past students return to Nakara with their children.

“When a past student comes back with their kids and says, ‘I brought you this one because I had such a great time with you 20 years ago ——that’s a fantastic feeling,” he said.

“The old saying is that they don’t remember what you taught them, but they remember how you made them feel.”

And after a long career as students’ favourite teacher, there was no way Mr Gugliotta was going to leave the classroom with minimal fanfare.

On Friday, May 10, at a special assembly at Nakara Primary, Mr Gugliotta will be farewelled by the many students, like Larrakia Development Corporation CEO Nigel Browne, he has impacted along the way,

“I wanted to sneak away quietly, but apparently I don’t have a choice,” he said. “It’s very humbling that people are wanting to say goodbye.”