PINETOWN Girls’ High School’s retiring teacher, Dolores van Heerden, will miss the school which has been her home for the past 27 years.
Van Heerden started teaching English and Guidance at Amanzimtoti High School in 1977. She also taught at Mowat Park and New Forest High schools.
In 1992, she started working at Pinetown Girls’ as the English teacher.
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She said her teachers were the ones who attracted her to teaching, “I was told I had leadership qualities and I should consider teaching English which I loved and aced.
“I also wanted to inspire young people to enjoy language, reading, words and ideas and to learn from the great writers and expand their thinking on the human condition,” she said.
When asked about the advantage of teaching at an all girls’ school, Van Heerden said, “teaching at all girls’ school is a privilege as those young ladies will be influential in their homes and workplace. If you educate a woman, you educate a nation.”
For Van Heerden, every new day was an opportunity to remind her learners they should strive for nothing less than their absolute best and to apply themselves with determination in all that they want to achieve.
“Above all, to work at becoming a compassionate and productive citizen. To apply a common sense and kindness in their daily lives is so important.”
With her 43 years of experience in the teaching industry, Van Heerden advised young teachers to enter the teaching profession for the right reasons.
“Be excited about the difference you make in your learners’ lives. Be firm but fair, be real, be professional, pay attention to experienced educators and allow yourself to be mentored. Teaching is the noblest of professions. It is a calling which is to be respected. Prayer, courage and a sense of humour are essential ingredients for survival in this challenging profession.”
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She added that she is proud to be associated with Pinetown Girls’. “I thank my principals, colleagues, admin staff, cleaning staff, learners-all of whom touched my life in so many ways, you will always be in my heart.”
Van Heerden has a wonderful family with four beautiful grandchildren. “I enjoy spending time with them, being outdoors, reading, watching sport, cooking, theatre, music and writing.”
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