Beloved Westville educator retires
Westville Junior Primary School popular educator, Elaine Evans retires after 45 years in the teaching industry.
AFTER 45 years of teaching, Westville Junior Primary School’s (WJPS) Elaine Evans has retired. The dedicated educator said her highlight was being able to teach children to love nature and be kind to animals.
When asked about the many years she has spent in the teaching industry, Evans smiled and said that time had gone by too quickly. ALSO READ: Molweni school bids farewell to dedicated educator
“I cannot believe that I have been teaching for so many years! I have enjoyed every minute of it, but it is time to bid a bittersweet farewell to my learners, staff and the community,” she said.
She told the Highway Mail that she had always wanted to be a teacher. “I did not see myself doing any other profession,” said the dedicated educator. After she finished matric, Evans studied at Edgewood College of Education.
“I grew up in Westville and matriculated at Westville Girls’ High School,” she said.
Starting her career at Northdene Primary School, the much-loved educator has spent 43 years teaching at WJPS. “It has just been a lovely, happy school and I have taught all three grades,” said the kind-hearted Evans. As an educator, her main goal was to encourage children to read.
“Maybe I am old fashioned, but I am a great believer in books. I had encouraged my learners to read books and look after them,” she said.
When asked how she will spend her time, Evans beamed and said, “First of all, I have a new puppy. I will also spend my time doing garden work. Now that I have retired, I will have time to do all of the things I did not have enough time to do.
I love sewing and enjoy knitting. During my spare time I will also visit the game reserves,” said the nature lover. Evans, who is the mother of popular snake catcher, Nick Evans, added that she will also help her son clean his working material.
“I have been involved in that, but now I can help out more often as he is mostly out rescuing snakes,” she smiled.
ALSO READ: Westville Junior bids Dewar a heartfelt farewell
The principal of the school, Sharon Jenkins described Evans as an extraordinary educator, highly respected, hugely popular and loved by everyone who has had the good fortune of knowing her.
“With her kind, compassionate approach to teaching, she has made an extremely valuable contribution to our school. She always brightens everyone’s day with her smiling face and her happy, calm and positive disposition.
“Her love and care for all creatures great and small sets her apart as a truly rare, remarkable and very special person,” said Jenkins.
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