Star teacher of the week
Mettha Partenbach from Okahandja Senior Secondary School, who has been a teacher since 1990, takes us through her journey.
Enzo Amuele
Why did you decide to become a teacher?
My mother was a teacher and she makes a very good impression on a lot of people's lives and that inspired me to follow her footsteps.
What were your aspirations at a younger age?
To have a better life.
What motivates you to get up every morning to go to work?
The love for the kids I teach.
How long have you been a teacher?
From 1 January 1990 to date.
Tell us about your challenges and how you overcome them daily?
Challenge: Learners not wearing the correct school uniform.
First, I talk and find out the reason and try to help out for example with a school jersey for winter.
Challenge: Not having enough textbooks or teaching materials
Make copies or find other ways.
What is one of the biggest lessons you've learnt from your learners?
Sometimes when they do not want you to repeat a topic, they will just tell you ‘we left our books at home’ or the books are lost.
Never give your class keys to learners unless you will supervise them.
What are your talents? What are you passionate about?
To work with people, and I am passionate about work that is done on time.
What is your favourite book, a song, a favourite place to visit in Namibia?
My favourite book is the Bible. My favourite song is Blessed Assurance. My favourite place to visit in Namibia is Swakopmund.
Tell us about your journey?
I started teaching at a very young age. Some of the learners were older than some of us teachers, but they showed respect. As the years go on, I was involved in sport, the hostel and all other activities at school. Here at our school, we learn to tolerate each other and work as a team to be successful.
According to Aina Braz, who is a learner at Okahandja Secondary School, Paternbach is “one of the most patient and responsible teachers I have come across. Her ability to care and be involved in learners’ academic life amazes me so much. She is full of life and I hope she is blessed with more teaching years".
Why did you decide to become a teacher?
My mother was a teacher and she makes a very good impression on a lot of people's lives and that inspired me to follow her footsteps.
What were your aspirations at a younger age?
To have a better life.
What motivates you to get up every morning to go to work?
The love for the kids I teach.
How long have you been a teacher?
From 1 January 1990 to date.
Tell us about your challenges and how you overcome them daily?
Challenge: Learners not wearing the correct school uniform.
First, I talk and find out the reason and try to help out for example with a school jersey for winter.
Challenge: Not having enough textbooks or teaching materials
Make copies or find other ways.
What is one of the biggest lessons you've learnt from your learners?
Sometimes when they do not want you to repeat a topic, they will just tell you ‘we left our books at home’ or the books are lost.
Never give your class keys to learners unless you will supervise them.
What are your talents? What are you passionate about?
To work with people, and I am passionate about work that is done on time.
What is your favourite book, a song, a favourite place to visit in Namibia?
My favourite book is the Bible. My favourite song is Blessed Assurance. My favourite place to visit in Namibia is Swakopmund.
Tell us about your journey?
I started teaching at a very young age. Some of the learners were older than some of us teachers, but they showed respect. As the years go on, I was involved in sport, the hostel and all other activities at school. Here at our school, we learn to tolerate each other and work as a team to be successful.
According to Aina Braz, who is a learner at Okahandja Secondary School, Paternbach is “one of the most patient and responsible teachers I have come across. Her ability to care and be involved in learners’ academic life amazes me so much. She is full of life and I hope she is blessed with more teaching years".
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