Star Teacher

1. When did your journey start as a teacher?
I started my teaching journey in 2015 while I was still completing my qualification as a final year student at the University of Namibia.

2. Which subjects and grades do you teach?
At the moment, I teach accounting and economics for grades 10 to 12 as well as the advanced subsidiary level group.

3. Was teaching always something you wanted to do?
Not necessarily. Initially, I wanted to be an accountant, but I fell in love with teaching in my final year of secondary school. I was always the top learner in accounting and mathematics, and as a result, I started tutoring some of my classmates, and I noticed that they would actually understand the content better and manage to improve their marks. This made me realise that I have the ability to make people understand any content I may teach them.

4. What is the most challenging thing as a teacher?
I would have to say the most challenging thing about being a teacher is trying to find the right balance. There is a perception that teachers only work from 07:00 to 14:00 each day. This is the time we actually spend with the learners. Any teacher will tell you that this only represents a portion of what is required of them. Teachers often arrive early and stay late. We must grade and record assessment activities; collaborate with other teachers; plan and prepare for the next day’s activities or lessons; attend staff or committee meetings; clean and organise our classrooms; and communicate with family members. Many teachers continue to work on these things even after they go home. It can be difficult to find a balance between their personal lives and their professional lives.

5. What do you love about your profession?
The fact that I can make a difference in the world. I believe that teaching truly affects future generations. What you as a teacher say, what you do and how you do it, will stay with learners and they in turn may pass it along to their own children in some way, shape or form.

6. What would you be if you didn’t become a teacher?
Like I’ve mentioned earlier, I initially wanted to do accounting before I fell in love with teaching, so I would definitely have been an accountant if not a teacher.

7. What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
As much as I enjoy teaching, I also enjoy gardening, playing tennis, reading and going out with my friends in my free time whenever I have the opportunity.

8. What is the greatest thing you have ever achieved?
It is not necessarily my greatest achievement, but I do get excited to meet learners, who I have taught, outside school and to hear how they are succeeding in life. It is encouraging to be reminded of the difference I am making.

9. Do you have any motivation for prospective teachers?
They should have a passion for teaching, as teaching can be quite strenuous. It is not as glamorous as outsiders make it seem. Yes, the holidays and weekends free are great, but the admin work placed on top of teaching can be exhausting. Having to deal with different behaviours and personalities from the learners is draining. So, when one is not passionate about educating future leaders, burnout and resignations can occur often.