POLOKWANE – Striking a friendly figure around PEPPS Polokwane College, teacher Tina Zinth-Wood has won the hearts of many learners.
With a teaching career spanning 34 years, she has what it takes to win the love, trust and respect of her peers as well as those she teaches.
Despite all this, she said she only realised her potential to pursue education once she did her practicals at university.
“I realised that I have a good rapport with the youngsters and that I genuinely enjoy being in an academic environment. I seem to come alive in the classroom,” she said.
She loves the connections made in a classroom: “That lightbulb moment when a learner comprehends something, either a subject lesson or even a life lesson. I especially love the very real impact that teachers have on lives – we really do change the world one person at a time”.
Creating a great bond with learners is indeed an enjoyable part of the journey, she said.
“It is important to establish a relationship of mutual respect between teacher and learner. You get the very best out of your learners when you create a space in which they have a voice and in which they can grow, flourish and actually enjoy the learning journey they are on, with you. Creating a good relationship with high school learners is based on being authentic, but establishing clear ground rules and boundaries. Once learners know what your expectations are, and are given the room to adapt to them, life in the classroom becomes a joint venture in education, often filled with funny and memorable moments,” she added.
Zinth-Wood added that as a teacher, there can be pressure as you are expected to be a role model around the clock.
“It is important to be professional, which means creating a fine balance between yourself as a teacher and yourself as a human being. For me, it is important to be comfortable with my learners but to also set an example which will encourage them to set high standards for themselves. It is important for me to give 100% in each lesson. In this way I can absolutely expect my learners to make the same effort in my subject,” she concluded.
