October is Teacher Appreciation Month and and the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has launched the #ThankaTeacher campaign to thank the incredible teachers of the province for the love and support they give children every day.
Also read: Local animal clinic launches a school education programme in Khayelitsha
In August, WCED asked the public to submit a message of thanks to a teacher that made an impact on their life.
‘We chose a selection of submissions, contacted the writers and filmed them reading their message to their past or present teacher,’ explained spokesperson for the WCED, Kerry Mauchline.
‘We also arranged for the relevant teachers to be present at a school at a certain time where we would surprise them with the video message. The unsuspecting teachers were then brought in and shown the video.’
Mauchline said that the reaction of the teachers to the message was priceless.
Explore Cape Town and its surroundings with these incredible deals on cars for under 100k. Find car listings here.
‘They were completely shocked and moved by the message of thanks and humbled by the experience. They all indicated that it was wonderful to feel appreciated.’
‘We then brought in the writer of the submission to physically come into the room and thank the teacher. The whole experience shows how much our teachers appreciate a simple “thank you”.’
Among those recognised was Tokyo Mcnunu.
‘I am speechless and feel privileged to be recognised and appreciated in this fashion,’ said a teacher at Thandokhuhlu High School. ‘It is indeed truly special, extraordinary and overwhelming.’
‘Massive kudos to my former student, Sinoxolo Maki and WCED for being part of such a phenomenal initiative of validating teachers, valuing them and letting them know that they matter. This perfect, perfect, perfect act will forever leave an indelible mark on my heart and will certainly make me grow to be a seasoned teacher. Truly blessed and feel like a superstar! I am beyond grateful and inspired to be more dedicated and make a difference to all those young minds.’
Rajes Francis, a special needs teacher at Vista Nova School, said that ‘there was no greater reward than being acknowledged and thanked by a parent for the role I play in her child’s life.’
‘After 42 years in the teaching profession it is a privilege to exit my teaching career in such a manner. I hope that this gesture of #ThankaTeacher by the Education Department will continue as there are many deserving teachers out there who need acknowledgment.
The public is now urged to let their special teacher know that they are valued by joining the campaign, using the hashtag #ThankaTeacher, and posting their words of appreciation on social media.
You can do this by:
- Writing and posting a message about your teacher
- Posting a video message to or about your teacher
- Drawing and posting a picture of you and your teacher – why not surprise them!
- Posting a photo of your teacher – and include their name and grade.
- Posting anything to show you appreciate teachers!
Cape {town} Etc discount: Looking for things to do in the city at half the price? Let these great offers inspire you and fuel your imagination! Get them here.
Also read:
WC education MEC feels snubbed by Dirco over school handover
Picture: Supplied / WCED
