POLOKWANE- The two top teachers at Jabez Christian Academy, principal Elana Erasmus and deputy principal Bruce Phillips have proven that it is still possible to study even amid the challenges of a busy work schedule – when they both obtained their doctorates of education as a joint exercise.
Phillips attributed his success to his somewhat advanced ability to read rapidly, which he says has given him the impetus to study.
“Being involved in teaching has undoubtedly been an advantage as well as one is daily immersed in the world of learning. I suppose one could say my life has been a continuous one of lifelong learning,” he reckons.
After matriculating in 1970, Phillips completed a four-year diploma in teaching, followed by a BA (Unisa), a B. Ed (UCT), a further diploma in leadership (University of Stellenbosch), a national certificate in business administration (Technikon RSA) and in-between qualified as a provincial cricket umpire and coach as well as an umpire in hockey and soccer, both in the Western Cape.
Four children grew up during these years and life wandered across the world to Namibia, Chile and South Africa, while refereeing and umpiring soccer and cricket in Argentina, Chile, Namibia and coaching at schools in these countries.
In 2015, he concluded 40 years of being a teacher in various countries and for two years into semi-retirement, taught at a language school in Cape Town.
In 2017 Polokwane beckoned and he was roped in to assist as deputy principal and teach Gr 12s at Jabez Christian Academy.
As the year ended in 2019, him and his wife Elana, sat chatting and within the context of the discussion, the idea of them both “unwrapping” their study minds and facing the challenge of completing their Masters Degrees, they engaged in studies towards their doctorates in a joint effort.
Erasmus obtained her BA communications Honours (Potchefstroom) and then moved into a liaison officer position in Gifted Child Education in Potchefstroom and later lecturer at the FET College in Polokwane before obtaining her higher diploma in education which launched her teaching career.
Years later she was called to start Jabez Christian Academy.
She said the Covid-19 lockdown gave her an amazing space to launch into a new studying adventure and late in 2020 with her Masters degree having been completed, a PhD in education followed.
For Phillips, it is not the end of studies yet.
“At the ripe old age of 70 I am now considering, in-between writing two bibliographies and a novel as well as the possibility of postgraduate studies. The moral of the story? I encourage all to consider continuing with their studies at whatever level life allows them. It keeps the mind active and allows one to interact with like-minded people across the world. Age is certainly not a factor and for those of advanced years considering retirement, my response to them is ‘Why?’”
