During the Autumn Graduation ceremony, yet another ECE student was awarded the Vice-Chancellor and Principal’s Medal as the top-achieving student in the Faculty of Education. Ms Anke Strydom was the recipient of this prestigious award. Dr Nadia Swanepoel asked Anke to share her education journey with the current undergraduate students. Anke responded with a motivational message to each education student and motivated students never to give up on their dreams.

Good day, silent heroes! My four-year educational journey has been filled with challenges, celebrations, and lessons. I have developed immensely as a teacher, and it is hard to summarise my professional growth in only a few sentences, but here goes nothing. At the start of my journey, I found myself so nervous about the impact I can have on a learner’s life inside and outside of the classroom. Wonderful lecturers projected a positive attitude from the get-go. The belief that all students can learn to become teachers went a long way in helping me to reduce my fears.

In the blink of an eye, you will be a silent hero standing in front of the classroom. Remember, making mistakes is part of the true life of a teacher. Learn from your mistakes and move on. Work hard because the learner’s tomorrow is worth it!

What lies ahead? Well, the future is unknown. I am currently a Grade 2 teacher at Laerskool Elarduspark; however, I applied for a degree in medicine. Make no mistake, being a teacher will forever be a part of me.

Best of luck to you all!

Kind regards
Anke Strydom