By Derek Schlennstedt
Retired Ferny Creek Primary School principal Matthew Coyle is celebrating four decades in teaching.
The passionate educator began his career in Doveton 40 years ago and has since become an enduring member of the hills community.
Reflecting on his time as a graduate teacher at Doveton Primary School, Mr Coyle said he quickly became fond of teaching.
“In those days you had a mentor teacher who looked after you very closely,” he said.
“I remember my mentor said to me that if I survived three to five years I’d be a great teacher and I absolutely loved it.
“I learnt there that once you got children on side they’d walk over broken glass for you, and that if you pushed at them rather than with them you’d never have a chance.”
Eventually Mr Coyle migrated towards the Dandenong Ranges and settled in Upwey, which 35 years later, he still calls home.
He said he was made to feel welcome within the hills community and relished the opportunity to work and live in the same area.
“I moved to Upwey Primary, which was fantastic because I had a little baby,” he said.
“I was about five years up here and then I moved to, I guess you’d call it a senior teacher, to Upper Ferntree Gully…eventually I got a role as a leading teacher at Tecoma.
“I’ve stayed in the hills which really suited me.
“Some teachers might not teach anywhere near where they work, but one of my passions was walking the dog up to the coffee shop on a Sunday morning and you’d see the kids you’d teach who would come up and say ‘hi’…it is lovely to be part of the community.”
Since 2004 Mr Coyle has been principal at Ferny Creek Primary School before retiring earlier this year.
Speaking to the Mail he said the use of technology has been one of the greatest changes during his career.
“To me it’s an engagement tool for the kids and it’s a teaching aid – it’s not the teacher,” he said.
“Quite often the kids in senior school will choose not to use the iPad because they know it’s not going to give them the best result – they might use PowerPoint or a big presentation on paper.
“It’s learning to choose the right technology which is really important.”
Mr Coyle called time on his career in June, after 15 years at ferny Creek Primary. Though, he said he will still remain in the community and looks forward to what the future holds.Ferny Creek Primary School held a farewell assembly for him with many previous students returning to say goodbye.
