Name: Mavis Strachan
Age: 72
Occupation: Teacher
What subjects do you teach?
I studied to teach junior primary. Currently I am teaching children from grades one to three the language enrichment programme.
Describe a typical day at school
I usually have only six to eight children in my classes. Our day consists mainly of remedial reading, phonics and language lessons. My aim is to teach children the English language. I teach those who can’t speak English properly to speak as well as to understand the language. If they don’t get these lessons, they will only fall further and further behind in their classes.
Is there a dress code at the school?
Not really, just as long as we dress respectably. That means no jeans and T-shirts.
Where do you teach?
I’m a teacher at Roosevelt Primary in Johannesburg, where I’ve been teaching for the past 11 years. I’ve been a teacher for 52 years – nonstop!
Whom do you report to?
Our principal as well as our head of department.
What do you like most about teaching?
The thrill you get even when just one of the children succeed in something we’ve been battling with. For example, I had a grade three pupil who was hardly able to speak or understand English. She can now speak and understand the language and has even starting to read. This feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction is impossible to explain.
What and how long did you have to study to become a teacher?
I studied for three years at Cape Town Training College and received my Junior Primary Diploma.
What advice would you give to someone wanting to become a teacher?
You have to be motivated and you definitely have to have a lot of patience.
What makes a good teacher?
Total dedication and a love for children. You have to be kind, understanding and compassionate. I always used to say you need to have the three Cs – care, concern and compassion – if you really want to succeed. If you have these attributes, you will be a good teacher.
– The Teacher/M&G Media, Johannesburg, October 2001.