BETHAL – Ms Jolene Shepherd is only 27-years-old, but she took the reigns as principal of Bethal Independent Primary School at the beginning of this year after the previous principal, Mr Louis Botes, retired.
When she is not fulfilling her duties as the principal, she gives English classes to the school’s learners.
Ms Shepherd grew up in Bethal and studied towards a teaching degree through Unisa whilst working at Laerskool Marietjie van Niekerk.
She completed her bachelor’s degree in Theology at the South African Theological Seminary.
Ms Shepherd worked as a student teacher at Privaatskool Hoëveldrif before teaching English and life orientation at Bethal Independent Primary School.
She was promoted as the head of the department before becoming the vice principal and now the principal of the school.
Ms Shepherd enjoys writing poems in her free time. Five of her poems are published in a poetry volume called ‘Dissekteer die Reënboog’ that was printed in 2016.
She has written over a hundred poems and wants to publish her own poetry volume one day.
Ms Shepherd is also an enthusiastic guitar player and has given guitar lessons to children.
Her aim for Bethal Independent Primary School is to help the school grow and expand.
“We are trying to create equal opportunities for all the children. We believe in holistic child development and appreciate each child for who they are,” said Ms Shepherd.
The school currently boasts with 355 children and the future plans of the school include building more classrooms, a school hall and later adding an addition of an independent high school.
“We want to create an opportunity for our learners to go to a good high school, and not having to commute to Kriel or Secunda, because of local schools are full.”
Before becoming a teacher, Ms Shepherd considered pastoral counseling.
“It is important for us to be tuned into each learner’s needs and potential,” concluded Ms Shepherd.
