A BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO MY CHEQUERED CAREER.
I am Nadia Essop and am committed to teaching in its multidimensional aspects. I have an exciting pool of teaching experience - 25 years with lots more of prospective years ahead.
I am a proudly South African teacher offering my experience at Springs Secondary School, a cosmopolitan school in Springs- Gauteng Province. I have been assigned with the enviable task of presenting and also promoting this exciting programme across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Our African continent is blessed with this global opportunity of participating in this educational - changing programme that I believe is destined to change the lives of both teachers and learners. As an HOD in Humanities I’m singularly privileged to lead a dynamic team which is approachable and receptive to creative teaching. Based on my exposure to the Connecting Classrooms programme offered by the British Council, my focus on core skills have not only benefitted education but has broadened their teaching horizon.
I can say with much confidence that the programmes I currently present have far-reaching impact on teachers. I do believe that its resonance is reaching a wider audience across the selected provinces. A credit that can be attributed to the British Council for this special opportunity to add value meaning and experience to teaching.
I may add that with a short period of ten months, the programme has embedded two qualities that I prized most: ambition –driven goals and transparent empathy. To become a self-reflective practitioner is now a lived experience for me.
THE IMPACT OF CONNECTING CLASSROOMS CORE SKILLS ON MY LIFE AS A TEACHER.
It has improved my own teaching practices. My lessons have become more engaging and interesting to my learners. Other teachers have seen the impact and have become interested in the programme as well. I think it addresses the needs of our children today. With so many distractions we need to change the way we engage with them. To be more focused on their changing lifestyle and to be in sync with their aspirations. Our positive approach to the realities of the day will go a long way in gaining their respect. It has motivated me to improve my digital literacy skills and I have enjoyed the impact that this has had on my life. It has empowered me and made my admin tasks easier.
RELEVANCE OF CORE SKILLS FOR TEACHERS.
Teaching is a dynamic process that cuts across conventional approaches. Methodology is the core skill that adds new dimension to a progressive curriculum. Learners are taught to develop creative thinking skills and to approach problem - solving situations from new perspectives. As there is no fixed pathway to answers that deal with non-routine problems, teachers are therefore empowered to provide learners with tangible skills. In this way learners are equipped to address issues with have a universal relevance. A realignment of methodology consistent with growing demands of our changing landscape is a major challenge for all stakeholders.
CORE SKILLS FOR TRANSFORMATIVE TEACHING.
The core skills make the delivery of the curriculum and content much more interesting and fun. It is very easily integrated into the curriculum and you can see a tangible difference in the learners. When learners are meaningfully engaged disruptive behaviour like ill-discipline and poor performance in their work are seriously addressed with a view to effect real change. Thus there is no barrier to learn, have fun and create realistic expectations from learners.