Charnelle Hector, a teacher at Belmor Primary School in Hanover Park, is grateful and privileged to finish second place for Excellence in Primary School Teaching at the National Teaching Awards.
The awards ceremony was at the CSIR International Convention Centre in Brummeria, Pretoria.
The awards are held annually in recognition of the country’s foremost teachers and to celebrate outstanding teachers who, often under challenging circumstances, remain committed to their roles.
Hector walked away with honours during the provincial instalment of the ceremony and fell agonisingly close at the national level.
“This award is a reflection of all the excellent educators and management at Belmor Primary,” she said.
“It is a school amid a kaleidoscope of social issues in Hanover Park. It serves as a reminder of how we raise the ordinary to extraordinary with innovation in our endeavour to deliver quality education for every learner.”
Hector was not expecting to win as her focus was mostly on the journey and the entire process was reflective and enriching.
“I was nominated by a member of the School Governing Body (SGB) and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the person who provided the spark of this journey. I have been teaching in the Senior Phase for 12 years and am a departmental head in the Intermediate Phase. I spent some of my growing-up years in Ottery but lived in Hanover Park for most of my life. I currently reside in Sunnyside in Belgravia.
“I obtained a Bachelor of Education Degree in the Intermediate and Senior Phase from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology Mowbray Campus. I attended excellent schools like Blomvlei Primary School and Belgravia High School,” she says.
Hector’s motivation for other teachers on teaching is that they are in the life-changing and life-saving business.
“We have been called to make a difference and to expose our learners to a world much bigger than just their context because exposure enlarges. We go beyond the call of duty to make the curriculum meaningful and to foster authentic relationships while we’re at it. We are trailblazers, visionaries and pioneers and should continue to nurture and develop our learners. To every teacher in South Africa, you are phenomenal! Keep on keeping on!” she says.
Hector says the school has a plethora of social issues.
“Learners come from all walks of life and are often exposed to poverty, violence and so on. We aim to create a greenhouse effect, where we nurture young minds so they can flourish once they leave our school.
“They may leave our classrooms, but the lessons and values undoubtedly remain with them. The community of Hanover Park should also be acknowledged for all they do to uplift the learners, whether it be youth programmes, sports and so on. The school, various community groups, the library and so on are all key roleplayers in tackling social challenges.
“I need to honour God for everything, first and foremost. My husband has endless patience and always assists me with all I aspire to do. My mom is my ultimate role model as she inspired me to be a teacher.
“My family in general is very supportive of all my ventures and adventures regarding school. I have to acknowledge my principal, Carol Poole, and also the school management team and SGB at Belmor for all their support and also for creating an atmosphere for growth and innovation.
“I would like to tell my colleagues what performer Tina Turner would say, ‘You’re simply the best!’ Continue to change the world, one child at a time!”
“To my learners, it is a privilege to be a part of your educational journey. You are valued and loved. You bring so much flavour, colour and laughter to my day, every day! I am indeed honoured to be your teacher.”
Hector’s hobbies are reading, writing, writing poetry, running, dance and drama.
