Star teacher of the week
Mrs Katrina Basimike is a grade 11 English teacher at Augustineum Secondary School
What’s the best part of being a teacher?
The best part of being a teacher is the balance of time you get. You get time to spend with your learners and ample time to spend with your family. Not to mention you also go on holiday. You get to meet some of the most brilliant minds and diverse learners from vast backgrounds which makes every year different.
The best and most memorable class
My best and most memorable class was my grade 12 class of 2014. This grade 12 class was one of the most determined learners and a focused group and absorbed everything I taught. They were keen students that always wanted to learn and made teaching fun and worthwhile. The greatest reward that comes from teaching is knowing that what you taught has been learned and that it is being put into practice.
Who was your most memorable learner and why?
My most memorable learner is Melania from the same grade 12 group of 2014. She was one of those learners who just prioritised her books. She was also very humble. The class absorbed everything I taught them and Melania was the main sponge. When teaching she often had a look that demanded for more teaching. She also performed exceptionally well. My liking for her was not based on her intelligence but on her keenness to learn.
What subject do you enjoy teaching the most?
I would have loved to have the opportunity to teach home economics but I only managed to find an English teaching position and I have grown to love it. Given that English is one of the subjects learners struggle with, the level of expertise I have attained makes it smooth and effortless to teach and because of that there is this passion that comes with it.
What advice do you have for learners who want to become teachers?
My advice to aspiring teachers is that there is this “danger” of thinking or believing that if I don’t make it or attain the points that will land me in the course of my dreams that I will just go do the education course. Contrary to popular believe teaching is just as important as any other course and I would say even more important. Anybody who aspires to become a teacher should do really well academically.
What do you love most about being a teacher at Augustineum?
Teaching at Augustineum is quite unique. The experience with learners has made me revaluate my teaching methods and how I reach learners. I had to do research on the best teaching methods for different learners to ensure I reach all the learners. The learners find school as a safe haven. They are always happy at school regardless of them coming from underprivileged backgrounds. It is always humble for me to see the smiles on the faces of the learners
How do you remain friendly and patient with learners that procrastinate and do not complete homework?
Empathy helps me remain friendly and patient with learners that procrastinate. I always try to fit in their shoes and try to understand where they are coming from and that helps me remain friendly with them. I employ measures that would get the homework done because at the end of the day that is the goal, to learn and get homework done.
The best part of being a teacher is the balance of time you get. You get time to spend with your learners and ample time to spend with your family. Not to mention you also go on holiday. You get to meet some of the most brilliant minds and diverse learners from vast backgrounds which makes every year different.
The best and most memorable class
My best and most memorable class was my grade 12 class of 2014. This grade 12 class was one of the most determined learners and a focused group and absorbed everything I taught. They were keen students that always wanted to learn and made teaching fun and worthwhile. The greatest reward that comes from teaching is knowing that what you taught has been learned and that it is being put into practice.
Who was your most memorable learner and why?
My most memorable learner is Melania from the same grade 12 group of 2014. She was one of those learners who just prioritised her books. She was also very humble. The class absorbed everything I taught them and Melania was the main sponge. When teaching she often had a look that demanded for more teaching. She also performed exceptionally well. My liking for her was not based on her intelligence but on her keenness to learn.
What subject do you enjoy teaching the most?
I would have loved to have the opportunity to teach home economics but I only managed to find an English teaching position and I have grown to love it. Given that English is one of the subjects learners struggle with, the level of expertise I have attained makes it smooth and effortless to teach and because of that there is this passion that comes with it.
What advice do you have for learners who want to become teachers?
My advice to aspiring teachers is that there is this “danger” of thinking or believing that if I don’t make it or attain the points that will land me in the course of my dreams that I will just go do the education course. Contrary to popular believe teaching is just as important as any other course and I would say even more important. Anybody who aspires to become a teacher should do really well academically.
What do you love most about being a teacher at Augustineum?
Teaching at Augustineum is quite unique. The experience with learners has made me revaluate my teaching methods and how I reach learners. I had to do research on the best teaching methods for different learners to ensure I reach all the learners. The learners find school as a safe haven. They are always happy at school regardless of them coming from underprivileged backgrounds. It is always humble for me to see the smiles on the faces of the learners
How do you remain friendly and patient with learners that procrastinate and do not complete homework?
Empathy helps me remain friendly and patient with learners that procrastinate. I always try to fit in their shoes and try to understand where they are coming from and that helps me remain friendly with them. I employ measures that would get the homework done because at the end of the day that is the goal, to learn and get homework done.
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