Crossroads School is a remedial school that prides itself in the notion that every pupil is unique and should be treated as an individual. Principal of the school, Val Witt explains why the school adopted this dynamic approach and what brought her to teaching.
Witt recalled growing up in a home where her parents fostered children. She explained that the biggest motivator to her having the deep desire to teach, came when the last child her parents fostered had down syndrome and Witt always wanted to teach her something to help her in life. “My brother was also ambidextrous and he added to my need for me to interact with children who thought differently and needed to learn differently too,” said Witt.
She went on to explain that children teach you so much about yourself through their challenges and experiences. She thinks them to be very remarkable human beings. Witt added that it’s great to be at the school that has all these different facets, with interaction with occupational therapists and remedial therapists who all add to knowing a pupil and what works best for them. “This is a very dynamic place to work, you cannot assume that what will work for one child will work for another,” said Witt.
Witt divulged that she has always taught at schools where pupils had special needs. She imparted that what sets the school apart is the care and the compassion that each child receives. She added that the school revels in coming to terms with who each pupil is and learning how to approach them.
Witt explained pupils are treated as regular children as they are regular children. “They just have experienced some impediment in the learning process so we have to find ways for them to overcome this impediment,” said Witt. She concluded that pupils go on to be amazingly successful. “Success is really defined by whoever the person is, one might look at themselves and not think they are successful but when you consider the barriers you have had to overcome, it’s phenomenal. Support of parents also aids in the success of a child.”
Details: Crossroads School, crossxrd@mweb.co.za or 011 782 5378.
