News / Education
Teachers honoured for combined 90 years in the classroom
Veteran duo reflect on their careers and the difference they have made to young lives
Rafaela Cordovez
Friday, August 2, 2024
WITH a combined classroom experience of over nine decades, Brunswick Secondary College teachers Nadia Cavallin and Michael Bartley, were recently honoured for their remarkable careers which have significantly impacted countless students and the educational community.
They both received a Recognition of Service Award from the Department of Education.
Cavallin has been teaching for 50 years, nearly 20 of them at BSC. Her passion for teaching was clear from the start, as she chose studying education over law, driven by her love for working with young people and making a difference in their lives.
Reflecting on her teaching experiences, Cavallin acknowledges the challenges she has overcome over the years but hopes to have made a positive difference.
“I judge myself every day to try and improve and learn as I go,” she says. Her approach to teaching is guided by her commitment to her empathetic and genuine teaching style.
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Initially retiring at 55, Cavallin was driven by her love for teaching to return to the classroom.
“I missed the people I worked with and thought I needed to come back,” she explains.
She also believes in the importance of building relationships with students and setting clear expectations: “Communication and having the same goals in the classroom are crucial.”
Cavallin has received notable recognition from parents, receiving a Victorian Teachers Award in the 1990s. However, the most meaningful acknowledgment comes from her students, such as one who credited their success in reaching VCE to her unwavering belief in them.
“One of the things I hope to leave students is the confidence to believe in themselves and know that they can achieve anything if they work at it,” says Cavallin.
Michael Bartley’s teaching career spans over 40 years, and was inspired by his own schooling.
“I wanted to do something for somebody else. So that was something that was left with me by great teachers that I had at school.”
After completing a Psychology degree he questioned, “how’s this going to help me make a difference?”.
Bartley shares the moment when his time at Brunswick Secondary College began. As a young teacher, he decided to show up at the school’s doorstep, and when questioned why he should be hired he responded, ‘Because I’m here’.
“I was the only one who showed up, everyone else just rang the phone,” he says between laughs.
“My journey to teaching was not straightforward,” he admits, “but it is a life long passion.”
Throughout their careers, Bartley and Cavallin have witnessed significant changes in education.
“When I started teaching, there were more straightforward administrative tasks, but now there’s a heavier emphasis on data collection and student assessments,” Bartley explains. Despite these changes, their commitment to providing quality education is unwavering.
Bartley offers simple yet profound advice for aspiring teachers: “Develop strong relationships with your students and maintain clear communication. It’s the foundation for a successful classroom.”
Brunswick Secondary College principal Karen Harris said Cavallin and Bartley were a credit both to the school and the wider government school system.
“Nadia and Michael vow to keep working as long as they still enjoy it and feel they can make a difference, so I predict there are many more years ahead,” she said.
“Nadia and Michael continue to model life long learning and show a commitment to the art of teaching that has not waned with their number of years of service.”
Both Nadia Cavallin and Michael Bartley are the embodiment of dedicated educators. As they receive this well-deserved recognition acknowledging their achievements, they leave a legacy that continues to inspire and shape the future of teaching for years to come.
Rafaela Cordovez and Claudette Miller are Year 11 students at Brunswick Secondary College.
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