When it comes to teaching, it is never about report cards and marks for Frances Wilmont – it is about people.

As a teacher at De La Salle Holy Cross College High School, Wilmont has spent years helping young people discover their potential, navigate challenges and grow into themselves. Along the way, she says, her learners have taught her just as much as she has taught them. “Every learner I’ve ever taught has had a lasting impact on me,” she said.

Like many educators, Wilmont has faced her share of challenges. Adapting to different teaching environments and supporting learners with varying abilities has shaped her career, while moments of self-doubt have been eased by the support of colleagues and family.

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Teaching has also changed her perspective on life. “It has allowed me the space to connect with younger generations in a meaningful way.” One former learner, in particular, stands out who battled addiction throughout high school and into her university years, making her matric journey especially challenging. Despite the obstacles, Wilmont remained a source of support, and the two have stayed in touch. “She has come so far, and I’m so proud of her.”

For her, some of the most rewarding moments in the classroom come when learners begin to recognise their own abilities. “Not necessarily achieving what others expect of them, but achieving beyond what they thought they could.” The opposite, however, can be heartbreaking. “It’s sad when a student can’t see what they’re really capable of achieving.”

Known for building strong relationships with learners, Wilmont believes that connection is often the key to helping them through academic and personal struggles. She values creating an environment where learners feel seen, heard and understood.

When asked how she stays motivated through difficult periods, her answer is refreshingly honest: “Caffeine and laughter.” Looking back on her career, Wilmont said she is most proud of the young people who have come into their own while she has taught them.

Also read: Crossroads teacher believes connection comes before learning

She hopes her learners will remember her as someone who truly saw them for who they are, while she imagines they might describe her as “quirky, funny and a listener.” As education continues to evolve, Wilmont remains hopeful about the future, drawing inspiration from her own children and the generations of learners who continue to walk through her classroom door.

Her advice to aspiring teachers is simple but thoughtful: “Think carefully about where you want to make a difference. Teaching can be hard, but enjoy your students for who they are.”

For Wilmont, that philosophy has become the foundation of a career built not only on education, but on connection, compassion and the belief that every learner has the potential to shine.

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