VANDERBIJLPARK – He was always challenged in the classroom by his former maths teacher to explain sums to other pupils back in high school.
Today, Morena Malashe is an award-winning teacher.
The burning desire to be an educator was sparked by the very same act of being trusted to deliver when his tasked in class.
Born and bred in the Free State, Malashe has four years in the education sector, teaching maths to grades 10, 11, and 12 at HTS Carel De Wet.
The dedicated educator has secured yet another award, this time second place at the National Teaching Awards for Excellence in Teaching Maths – FET.
Speaking to Ster in his classroom, Malashe told the paper how he anticipated winning the award at the provincials.
Despite not getting the intended position one, Malashe says his grateful for the recognition.
“I studied teaching at the University of the Free State. Following my completion, I worked at Thuto-Tiro School of Specialisation. I left due to challenges and got transferred to Carel De Wet,” he said.
“My task is simple, to improve the lives of pupils and work tirelessly to raise the marks of the school,” he said.
Explaining how he fell in love with competing in the awards, the man said he was introduced by a colleague.
“I participated at the cluster level and obtained position two. This year I worked harder to enter these awards. I won an award from the unions and I felt the urge to enter the NTAs,” he said.
Malashe said awards do not only change how educators conduct themselves in class but improve learner’s ability to study.
“My classroom was just a dull space,” he said.
Pointing at maths-related posters surrounding the walls of his class, he added “You see how colourful this class is now? This is all the work of being part of these awards.”
“I am overjoyed to have won position two, although it wasn’t my intended position. This is a motivation for me to work even harder. The award changes the whole mood in pupils because they know they are taught by a best-performing teacher,” he said.
