Oliver Lees
Gisborne Secondary College technology studies teacher Stephen Winzar has been celebrated for his dedication to educating the region’s youth.
With 50 years of experience under his belt as an engineer and an educator, Mr Winzar’s career has been trademarked by a simple philosophy.
“I’ve adopted what I call a basic technical viewpoint to teaching my classes,” Mr Winzar said.
“I’ve tried to arm kids with the most basic knowledge that they’ll be able to use for the rest of their lives. The traditional stuff, that’s what I think is really important.”
Mr Winzar started his technical training in 1971, completing an apprenticeship in fitting and turning.
He then tried his hands in a number of roles, which included a stint in the army reserves; working as a toolmaker in Broadmeadows; and as a technical officer for the Herman Research Laboratory.
In 1997, Mr Winzar joined Gisborne Secondary College and has since used his background trade skills and engineering to deliver coursework.
With the past two school years disrupted by COVID-19 restrictions, Mr Winzar said teaching his hands-on classes has proved a considerable challenge.
“For us, being away from work is incredibly hard. We have a practical beat, we work with our hands. We’ve got to create when teaching this stuff, because it’s not in a book for us, he said. Reflecting on his time in the classroom, Mr Winzar said he’s enjoyed seeing his teaching impact the next generation.
“I had a student 15 years ago, he is now a tech teacher at another school,” he said.
“In fact, we were able to welcome him back as a trainee teacher here at Gisborne, and during a period of leave in 2007, he took over my class.
“What a great way to see the impact you’ve made in someone else’s life.”
