Teacher breaks record for longest service at a single school in Western Australia

Esther Gilmore has become the longest-serving teacher at a single school in Western Australia after spending 48 years at Rosalie Primary School in Shenton Park.

Ms Gilmore began her career in 1975 and joined the local school in 1978. She has taught over 1200 children during her time at the institution, which is also celebrating its 120th anniversary.

While the school has seen many changes, including the rise of digital technology, Ms Gilmore says she prioritizes teaching students how to find and verify information on the internet. Former students describe Ms Gilmore as a firm and consistent educator. One former student who was taught by her in 1989 recalls the emotional difficulty of leaving her classroom as a child. Another former student returned to the school 13 years ago to work as a colleague of Ms Gilmore.

That teacher noted that current students still show deep affection for Ms Gilmore and often struggle to say goodbye at the end of the year. Ms Gilmore says she does not plan to retire yet. She views her success not through her record-breaking tenure, but through the progress of the generations of children who have moved on to pursue different paths in the world.