GEORGE NEWS - During the recent district leg of the National Teaching Awards, where hardworking and dedicated teachers were recognised in seven categories, three teachers from George were acknowledged as district winners in their sections.

The sections are: Excellence in Adult Education and Training; Excellence in Special Needs Education; Excellence in Primary School Teaching; Excellence in Secondary School Teaching; Excellence in Primary School Leadership; Excellence in Secondary School Leadership; Lifetime Achievement Award.

The annual National Teaching Awards ceremony is scheduled for 28 October, where the district winners will meet to find out whom the adjudicators - who last week visited our district winners - reward as the best educators in the country.

Excellence in Adult Education and Training: Mrs Carlene Swartz, George Community Learning Centre:
Mrs Swartz, the centre manager in Adult Education at the George Community Learning Centre, spent 23 years as a primary school teacher before entering the arena of adult education eight years ago.
Her passion, the upliftment of the illiterate and underprivileged in society and community, comes from her rolemodel parents, Samuel and Phyllis, both teachers, who took Carlene with them to Eastern Cape villages where they taught. She admits, "from that time already I have had this dream to help illiterate people and uplift their morale and get them somewhere".

Another inspiration was the enthusiasm of her Sub A teacher, Ms Rachel Gerville.
Mrs Swartz currently oversees 33 staff members and 754 learners from Blanco, Conville, Pacaltsdorp and Thembalethu who are registered with the college. She is thankful for the assistance of her peers and the partnerships the college has with ACSA, the Departments of Social Development, Agriculture, Health, Water Affairs, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and the Justice and Peace ministry of the Catholic Church.
Mrs Swartz is married to Stephen and has two grown-up children, Serena and Carlo.

Excellence in Primary School teaching: Mrs Julanda Vivier, Blanco Primary School:
Mrs Vivier is an Oudtshoorn Teacher’s College graduate of 1973 who has been teaching at Blanco Primary School for the past 20 years.

The menswees of one of her teachers, Mrs Miriam Brink, left a lasting impression and meant that Mrs Vivier wanted to duplicate the love, commitment and comprehension that her favourite teacher displayed.
Mrs Vivier is grateful for being entrusted with various responsibilities by her principals Gideon Oosthuizen, Cobus Oelofse, Mr Swiegelaar en Sas du Plessis, who acknowledged her talent and commitment. She also greatly appreciates the co-operation of learners’ parents, her colleagues and the influence of her parents, who encouraged her to do her best as if it was her last day on earth, and to stay anchored in God.

The reason for her nomination lies in her versatility, her classroom management, and her involvement outside the classroom in events such as Landsdiens, organising athletics competitions, Swiggi’s circus, and the Oubos road and mountainbiking marathon.

Mrs Vivier hopes to impart self confidence, knowledge and skills to each child she teaches, and that they will fulfill their potential, making positive contributions to society, and become anchored in God.
She is married to Frans and has two sons, Frans (jnr) and Jacques.

Lifetime Achievement Award: Mrs Rosaline Makan, Dellville Park Primary School:
After 46 years as an educator, Mrs Makan received recognition for her commitment, adaptability and love for her craft, which she has been practising since the age of 17.

Mrs Makan admits she likes studying, attending workshops and staying in touch with the children of today, both emotionally and technologically. For example, last year she received her Advanced Certificate in Education from UCT along with the computer courses she has completed over the years.
Her rolemodels include principal Raymond Steyn, who was her principal first as a pupil and then as her employer. His strict principles and timeliness meant that staff planned ahead of time and until today, it is unnecessary for anybody to supervise her.

Mrs Makan’s favourite subject is Arts and Culture and the legacy she wants to leave behind is "to be patient with the learners and not allow them to miss any opportunity that would benefit them".
Mrs Makan is a widow and mother of six children with her oldest son currently serving as Dellville Park Primary School principal.

When asked about her upcoming retirement, Mrs Makan says she hopes to start a readers and writers group for primary school learners.

 
Mrs Julanda Vivier (left) and Mrs Carlene Swartz.

ARTICLE AND PHOTOS: LEEANNE PRATT, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST