Pinetown Girls’ teacher retires after 40 years
Joanne De Croes looks forward to spending more time with her family.
THE end of the first school term marked the end of a 40-year and one term period career at Pinetown Girls’ High School (PGHS).
Joanne De Croes’ teaching career commenced in 1983, but she was familiar with the school long before that. In 1976, she started as a learner, and at that time, the school accommodated only grades 10, 11 and 12.
“I spent grades 10 and 11 at the school as a co-educational institution and Grade 12 when it was an all-girls school accommodating grades 8 to 12.”
The passionate educator said her teaching career started under the same principal she matriculated with.
When De Croes was appointed as an educator at the school, it was not a choice. “In those days, it was the Department of Education that posted us where the need was.”
In her first year of teaching, the educator was already a Mrs as she got married in her third year of studying. Her daughter also attended Pinetown Girls’ from 2002 to 2006.
De Croes said she is excited about her retirement.
“I intend to spend more time in service to my God. I will also be spending more time with my husband, and together, we will travel to Australia to spend time with my daughter, her husband and our three grandsons,” she said with a smile.
She added that she wishes the school all the best for the future.
Teaching through generations
De Croes said she has seen many changes in her 40 years of teaching.
“I am a Generation X who are most relevant generation of modern times in relation to technology. We have served as a bridge from older populations to younger ones.
“I have taught the Millennials and Generation Z, which are the first generations to cope with cyber-bullying and other internet-related issues. It was also during this time that related violence has become more prevalent and the climate crisis more dire.
“To say teaching through these generations has been a challenge is an understatement,” she says with a sigh.
As an educator, De Croes says she has had to follow a fixed syllabus without much time to get onto other things. “There is a difference between knowledge and wisdom, and being a role model has been the most direct way of teaching. Oh, and of course, being able to adapt to the ever-challenging generations.
However, De Croes said principles have been an ever-constant in her life as an educator.
“I have resisted the list of dos and don’ts in my classroom and have rather looked for ethical principles to guide my decision-making. It has been important to develop a rapport with my learners; I believe it is fundamental to success.
“When students feel safe and supported, they are more likely to engage in learning and have better educational outcomes.”
She urged parents to be a role model to their children. “Your children learn from your behaviour as a parent,” said the mother of two.
She added that she wishes the school all the best for the future.
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