Celebrating teachers this World Teacher’s Day

Even with the best-equipped schools or the best textbooks, without teachers children won’t be able to learn and progress.

This has never been more evident than during the pandemic where many parents were forced by necessity to implement homeschooling and recognised just what a mammoth task teaching truly is.

“Nevertheless, teachers are often the unsung heroes of education who deal with adversity on a daily basis,” said Malcolm Mooi, founder of online professional learning community Zibuza.net

“World Teacher’s Day celebrated on October 5 is a rare opportunity to celebrate these essential members of our communities.”

A good teacher has the potential to improve the lives of their learners.

A great teacher has the potential to change their lives.

Phuti Ragophala, also known as Techno Granny, is one such great teacher.

Although she grew up in difficult circumstances, Phuti’s parents saw leadership and teaching as her talents and encouraged her to become a teacher.

Today, she is a Microsoft Innovator Educator expert, the retired principal of a well-respected Limpopo school and the recipient of the first Zibuza.net Lifetime Achievement Award.

This award recognises a single teacher whose vision, dedication and commitment to teaching have made an extraordinary difference in the community.

The nickname Techno Granny was given to Phuti by her colleagues as an acknowledgement of her passion and skills for using digital resources in teaching and learning, despite being part of the Born Before Technology generation.

Her passion was sparked by the learning potential of using technology in the classroom.

“Skills like communication, creativity, problem-solving, collaboration and critical thinking are easily realised when using technology tools,” she said.

Although her own education was very traditional, essentially using just blackboard and chalk, Phuti has undertaken a number of initiatives to widen the education available to her learners that go beyond just the harnessing of technological tools.

Phuti and her colleagues have also developed a permaculture garden to grow vegetables and herbs for the benefit of the poor in the community.

“This helps learners acquire the desire to become scientists, farmers and pharmacists when they see the application of what is grown in the garden, and gives them access to opportunities they might not be exposed to,” said Phuti.

In her time as a principal in a semi-rural area, most of her learners were orphans or from families where parents are poor or ill.

Instead of turning children away if their parents are unable to pay for classes, she empowered parents by employing them in the running of the school, giving their children opportunities they would not have had otherwise.

As a result of parental involvement in the school, learner attendance was and continues to be high.

Phuti’s advice for teachers just starting out in the field:

• Embrace technology in the classroom.
“Learners who have been exposed to technology in the teaching process gain additional skills that help with learning and future employment.”

• Become a teacher for the right reasons.
“Teaching is not a career to escape poverty. It’s a calling. Once you are in, focus on your learners and draw your strength from them.”

• Treat all your learners equally, but pay special attention to those with less economic advantages.
“Go the extra mile to lift them up because it’s often out of the most difficult circumstances that real educated learners emerge.”

• Recognise the privilege of your position.

“Teaching gives you the opportunity to groom future leaders through education. Don’t waste it.

“Teaching gave me the chance to channel my learners’ minds and talents toward a better and brighter future. I believe education is a tool to fight poverty and restore dignity, and I’m grateful to Zibuza.net for their recognition of my contributions and all they do to empower South African teachers,” Phuti said.

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