Mrs Heather Francis is a teacher at Glenoaks Remedial School. She has been working in education for 32 years in different capacities as a teacher, a deputy principal, an HR facilitator and researcher.
“My interest lies in remedial education so Glenoaks School has been my base for years,” said Mrs Francis.
“I am currently teaching many grade six subjects and economic management sciences in grade seven. I am also co-teaching an iPad pilot study programme with my colleagues at Glenoaks. The subjects I love teaching most are English and Integrated Studies because my primary focus is on finding methods and strategies to help students to learn to express themselves through their writing,” said Mrs Francis.
“Life has inspired me to become the person I am today. I remain a work in progress because there is still so much the world has to teach me. It’s not one particular person who has helped me become the person I am today.
“Every person and experience has given me insights into how I react and make choices about how I think and live. I have been greatly blessed at Glenoaks on so many levels. I work every day with a team of highly skilled, talented and knowledgeable therapists, facilitators and teachers,” said Ms Francis.
“I feel happy when I enter my classroom and can’t wait to begin another day. I never forget to feel grateful to be teaching here because the students are exceptional human beings,” she said.
“Glenoaks Remedial School is an enchanting, unique and love-filled place that has become a huge part of my life. I’ve watched it grow from one small house in Kensington with a dusty playground into a thriving, beautiful environment and have felt part of this from the very first day I was employed here.
“The principal, Mr Barnes, is at the very heart of the school. He steers this ship by infusing it with his own brand of quirky humour and care that filters down through to everyone,” said Mrs Francis.
“The ethos of kindness and care for children is palpable when you walk through the gates of the school. It’s in the bricks and mortar and that is probably why I am so happy to be a part of this extraordinary place,” she said.
“I have to plan lessons to accommodate their movements during the day. Relationships between students and teachers are more intense and personal. I find it difficult not to take my work home with me. I care deeply about my student’s mental and emotional well-being and process. I sometimes find myself waking up in the middle of the night with an idea that might help a student with something they are struggling with or anything that will make a lesson more exciting,” said Mrs Francis.
“Teaching is not about the money. Although I am really grateful to be earning a salary, it is about the work and children for me. For a year a group of children are put under my care and I want them to feel happy and motivated to come to school. I want them to laugh a lot and surprise themselves about their own abilities and enjoy their successes,” said Mrs Francis.
She studied for her Higher Diploma in Education (HDE) at JCE-WITS for four years and then went on to Unisa in the ’80s to specialise in remedial and special education.
“School is not only about lessons. Learning happens incidentally too through outings, meeting interesting new people and visitors, friends, sport, games, drama, drumming, music and a host of other activities that we can provide for children,” said Mrs Francis.
“I had a very reading-resistant class which bothered me about seven years ago. When I really started to listen and hear why they disliked reading, I was amazed to find out that it wasn’t only because the mechanics of reading was difficult for them, but that they found children’s literature boring. So I decided to write them a novel that I hoped would capture their interest,” said Mrs Francis.
“My book was published and approved by the Gauteng and Western Cape Departments of Education. The students encouraged me to write more, so I wrote a sequel and both have since then been republished as eBooks on Amazon and other eBook sites. I developed a teacher-student literature manual for pre-teens. I have the learners at Glenoaks Remedial School to thank for this,” said Mrs Francis.
