A Hanover Park woman has been named as one of the province’s best teachers.
The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) announced the provincial winners of the National Teachers Awards at a ceremony held at Century City on Friday September 9.
The provincial winners, who will represent the province at the national awards next month, were recognised across 13 categories, and Charnelle Hector, a Grade 7 teacher at Belmor Primary School, won the award for excellence in primary school teaching.
All teachers, governing bodies and district officials could nominate staff at registered public-sector schools for the awards, said Kerry Mauchline, a spokeswoman for Education MEC David Maynier.
Ms Hector said she felt immensely honoured to have won the award, which she felt was also a win for Belmor Primary School because “we all go the extra mile for our students”.
She believes her involvement in the community and her teaching methods helped her take home the award.
“I have been working with children and teenagers in Hanover Park since I was a teenager myself. Holiday clubs, reading clubs, poetry clubs, creative-arts and life-orientation programmes are some of the activities I have pioneered through the years.
“I have had the great privilege of appearing on a life-orientation TV series called Breaking the Silence, which was aired this year.
“I believe that by integrating my knowledge, skills and values with 21st century skills, with the aim of making learning interesting and keeping students engaged, has been part of the reason as to how I was selected for this award.”
Mr Maynier said teachers were far more than just educators as they frequently had to act as counsellors, guardians, protectors and life coaches, offering pupils education, hope and guidance, often under challenging circumstances.
“I urge all our educators to keep up with their invaluable work. Thank you to all our teachers for all they do for our children and education system,” he said.
Belmor Primary School principal Carol Poole said she was very proud of Ms Hector’s achievement, which helped to put the school on the map.
“I am really impressed with what she has been doing at school. Hard work really pays off, and that is one of the things that we instil in our pupils, and she has led by example.
“She is always researching different methods of teaching and doing the best she can for her pupils. She is actively involved in the teaching process.”