POLOKWANE – Zubeida Chayya, a high school teacher, considers it the pinnacle of her work to be able to teach learners excellent communication skills and providing them with tools to express themselves.

“Teaching a language in high school is what I define as a way of life.”

In 2000, Chayya joined Taxila Secondary School as a Gr 9-10 Afrikaans teacher and has been in the industry for more than 20 years teaching language.

She says in order to be a teacher, one needs to possess certain qualities such as compassion, kindness, patience and creativity.

In her active years in the education fraternity, she adds that one also needs to be empathetic and play a pastoral role.

“In all my 22 years of teaching I have found teaching to be incredibly meaningful because I get to be involved in the future of my learners that has a lasting impact on their lives.”

Learners come to high school with basic knowledge of language and Chayya says its her job to assist them to refine their capabilities.

“Each learner comes with their own background and circumstances. As a teacher one has to be aware of this and adapt one’s teaching to suit the needs of the learners.”

Apart from being a high school teacher, she has been a facilitator and co-ordinator for the University of the Free State for 10 years and has been a Saturday school teacher, specifically assisting underprivileged youth for 12 years.

She describes her years of teaching at the school as eventful and it has filled her with joy.

“Our school is blessed with individuals who exceed the limits of what is expected of them. I am honoured to be a part of this institution,” she says.