I have been a foundation phase teacher for 29 years. Last year I became involved in a mentorship school support programme. The aim of the programme for teachers was to enhance the learning opportunities available through the Curriculum Assessment Policy Statement (Caps). I suppose I could be called a transformer. I started this programme in September 2010 with four schools sponsored by Impala Mines. The four schools, all situated in the Rustenburg district, were Kloof View Primary, Luka Primary, Ramotse Primary and Vukuzenzele Primary.
Clean up the stoep
During the programme I experienced a lot of life-enhancing incidents that I will treasure for the rest of my life. One incident that stands out was my experience in a local village school. As always, I got there early in the morning and focused on the goal of enhancing the learning experience of the learners. This particular school had several financial limitations that meant that it could not afford cleaning services. The grade one teacher had organised the learners to clean the stoep, applying polish and using cleaning equipment they had brought from home.
Learning from manual labour
The learners proudly showed me how to polish and clean a cement stoep properly. This was a life skill that could integrate several gross motor and midline cross skills as well as planning skills. The teacher and I used this opportunity also to apply counting skills. Learners counted while they polished the floor. Every move represented a number.
After a few minutes we had transformed the cleaning experience into a learning experience where learners rubbed the floor while counting. The counting also became a fun experience and the principles of brain gym were integrated with life skills and maths in a playful manner.
Transform any situation
This experience showed the teachers that any situation can be transformed into a learning experience. The learners enjoyed every moment and I remember feeling humbled by the smiling faces of the teacher and the learners in spite of the school’s challenging financial circumstances. A simple duty was transformed into a magical memory with valuable lessons. Throughout this mentorship programme many similar incidents occurred. I was proud to be a part of the programme for 15 months. I thank the teachers, principals, learners and Impala Mines for this opportunity to transform and, more importantly, to be transformed.
“Transformers” can also learn from teachers
Although one might think that “transformers” have all the answers, I realise that I also learnt a great deal from the teachers I assisted. I especially learnt much about different ways of dealing with, or new perspectives on, everyday problems. I was emotionally touched by the people I met at every school. I was warmly welcomed into the schools and I experienced enthusiasm from the principals, deputy principals, teachers and learners. I like to think that I became part of their lives as they became a part of mine.
Valia de Waal is a teacher at Karlien Park Primary School in Rustenburg, North West. She was a finalist in the category of Excellence in Lifetime Achievement at the 2008 National Teaching Awards.