Deutsche Schule Johannesburg (DSJ) teacher Cooper Mlokoti said receiving the ‘teacher of the month’ accolade meant a lot for his career.
On August 30, Mlokoti was announced as the teacher of the month on Radio 702 after being nominated by the school’s parents.
“It is certainly an honour and I think what makes it even more special is the fact that the appreciation and the recognition are coming from the parents.”
Mlokoti said his calling to be a teacher began when he was in Grade 11 at Lebogang Senior Secondary School in the Free State.
“I taught my peers during our group study sessions. I would also be asked to help/tutor some children in my neighbourhood and that’s when I realised that teaching or striving to explain a certain concept to the next person gives me so much fulfilment.”
The physical sciences and biology teacher who teaches grades 5 to 12 added that contextualising content was key in keeping learners engaged in what he taught.
“Learners always want to know why they are learning about particular content. Therefore, I try my best to bring science into the classroom and remind them that there is a science all around them.”
The teacher added as much as it was important to keep learners engaged, it was important for him to prepare for his lessons.
“I am also blessed to be teaching at DSJ because one of the points in the mission statement of the school is that the school promotes individual strengths, thus learners are encouraged to be independent and disciplined which makes teaching easier.
“In the same breath, the calibre of such learners forces you to come to class prepared. I then play an important role of being a facilitator of the teaching and learning.”
Mlokoti added that education was not the only thing he was passionate about.
“Choir and music play an integral part of my story. 2018 was momentous, I joined a choir called Quava Vocal Group and we were later awarded two gold medals in the jazz and mixed chamber choirs categories of the World Choir Games open competition.
“In October, we will be taking part in a competition called Sing For Gold. This is an international choral competition taking place in Calella, Spain where choirs will not only sing for medals and a place in the [intercultural] World Choir Rankings but also the World Choral Cup.”
