July 25, 2017

News:

SA’s best maths teacher

Crème de la crème… South Africa’s best Maths teacher receiving her award at the National Teaching Awards at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, Johannesburg

Theunissen teacher voted the best in using technology to enhance teaching of mathematics …

The Free State province last week picked up one of the most prestigious awards in the annual National Teaching Awards (NTA) after Sara Motsitsi from Reseamohetse Public School in Theunissen was named the country’s best Maths teacher with the aid of technology.

Motsitsi scooped the award for Excellence in Teaching Technology – Enhanced Teaching and Learning in Mathematics at the awards ceremony held on Saturday at the at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, Johannesburg.

She picked up a similar award at the Free State provincial NTA ceremony held in Bloemfontein in November last year.

The grade 4 maths teacher walked away with a brand new Chevrolet Spark, R40 000 worth of sponsorship for further training in Information Technology, R10 000 in cash and a host of other goodies from various sponsors.

The purpose of the NTAs is to recognise and celebrate South Africa’s extraordinary teachers.

The youthful Motsitsi who has only been teaching for three years told The Weekly in a telephone interview on Tuesday that she was over the moon with the prestigious award and everything only beginning to sink in as it all came as a big surprise to her.

“I am very excited,” said Motsitsi who did not seem to have the right words to describe her excitement.

“It came as a surprise but I am sure it will motivate me to do more so that I can help my students do better in their studies,” she added.

Motsitsi said she is glad that she chose teaching as a profession because she finds it fulfilling and believes many more doors will open up for her because she is passionate about her work.

“I know teaching isn’t the first choice for many young people. I find it a calling more than anything else. By going into teaching, you are committing yourself to helping society. And I particularly like about teaching is that you become a life-long learner. You learn everyday from the learners that you teach in class as well as how society views you.

“My advice to other young people is not to go into teaching for the money. You must be passionate about teaching. It can be quite demanding but it is also very exciting if you love helping people,” she explained.

In a statement released on Monday provincial education MEC Tate Makgoe said he was impressed with the performance of the province at the 17th NTAs after collecting a total of four awards.

He said he was particularly proud of Motsitsi for collecting the top award and encouraged other teachers to emulate her and work harder so that they can be recognised in a similar way.

“This is a clear indication that our strategies in terms of implementing ICT (information communication technology) in our schools are the best, we have been winning this category for years now” said Makgoe.

“They made us very proud and we hope other teachers learn from their success” he added, urging other teachers to enter this year’s edition of the competition.
The other winners from the province were:

Bongane Jerry Mokoena from Kgolathuto Secondary School in QwaQwa – 2nd position in the Excellence in Teaching Mathematics category
Thabo France Sithole from Lere la Thuto Secondary School in Zastron – 2nd position in the Excellence in Teaching Physical Science category .

Lesedi Victoria Mabusela from Leretlhabetse Primary School in Koffiefontein – 3rd position in Excellence in Grade R Teaching category.

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