VANDERBIJLPARK – From a young age, Gerda van Moerkerke has always wanted to be a teacher.
And now, she’s living her dream as she impacts young lives on a daily basis.
Having learned different teaching styles from as far as London where she taught as a supply teacher, Van Moerkerke uses the skills she gathered to change lives.
With her efforts in making sure new strategies benefit her Pinedene Primary School pupils, she has scored second positions at the National Teaching Awards for Excellence in Teaching Natural Sciences-GET.
Speaking to Ster South, the teacher who boasts fourteen years of experience explained her journey.
“I always dreamed about being a teacher. I believe that you are born a teacher. Throughout my school career, there were so many positive influences in my life from various teachers and I wanted to do the same. I wanted to make a difference in a child’s life,” she said.
“My main subjects were Social Sciences and Natural Sciences. In my fourth year I took part in a school-based programme where I was assisting in classes and completing my studies. In 2006, I went to London and worked as a supply teacher,” she added.
Touching base on her accomplishment, Van Moerkerke said: “Receiving the second position for Excellence in Teaching Natural Sciences at the National Teaching Awards is a tremendous honour! It means so much to be rewarded for all the hard work and effort I put in. It inspires me to continue with what I am doing to better myself, to see what more I can do to encourage and inspire my learners and colleagues.”
Talking about her career highlight, Van Moerkerke said: “I am proud of all the achievements of the learners I taught during the years. That is my goal in the end, to equip them with skills so that they can achieve great things. To make a difference in someone’s life is achievement for me.”
