LEON DORLAND: She was always nice and when you did not understand the work, she took the time to repeat it so that you did. Juffrou was also not that strict, she was just a really nice teacher. You just shouldn't be naughty in her class. Photo: Neo Phashe
In the dictionary, the word teacher is simply defined as ‘a person who teaches, especially in a school’.
For the children of Laerskool Louw Geldenhuys, this word is more nuanced than this simple definition.
It is layered with love, care, and appreciation especially when it comes to describing their Grade 3 teacher, Ronell Gouws. She has been a teacher at the school for the past 43 years and in her last week, children she had the pleasure of teaching shared with Northcliff Melville Times why she was so special to them.
Here is what the children had to say about a teacher they love so dearly…
ALENKA MARNITZ: It was always on those days when I thought ‘I am not going to school’ that Juffrou Gouws would make my day so much better. Either by giving me hug or a big high five and it was always amazing in her class. Photo: Neo Phashe
DANIELLE VAN HEERDEN: Every morning she would do my hair for me and she explained maths well to me. Photo: Neo Phashe
BERNARD DORLAND: Once we were done with our work she would read us a book called ‘Geraamte in die klas’ they were really funny stories. She was always there for you. Photo: Neo Phashe
ADRI WOLFF: She was just a miracle sent from heaven because she was the best teacher ever. Photo: Neo Phashe
NANETTE SCHEPERS: I loved her because she was very nice towards me and always caring. On days I left sad she was always there to give me a hug and I’ll love her always. Photo: Neo Phashe
SURITHA VILJOEN: She always made sure to help us with our work and she taught us very well, giving us new methods to remember things. Overall, she was just an amazing person. Photo: Neo Phashe
KYRA HOME: The amount of effort she puts into making us happy and making sure we understood the work made her important to me throughout the years. Photo: Neo Phashe
SEAN VIVIERS: Juffrou Gouws had a different style of teaching. Though she was very strict, she was always there when you needed her. Photo: Neo Phashe
ANNERI ROSSOUW: She always helped you to better understand the work. I liked her very much, she was a very nice teacher. Photo: Neo Phashe
ARIANE TROUSSET: Juffrou Gouws helped me with my maths and she taught us a lot of stuff that we will use forever. She also has a very big heart and cares about others. Photo: Neo Phashe
