1st year as a teacher: lockdown

The last thing Sharon Gouws expected in her first year of teaching was the nationwide lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The 22-year-old started teaching at PEMPS at the beginning of the year and she was excited and ready to make her mark as one of the best Gr 1 to 3 Afrikaans teachers that the school has to offer. However, a couple of months down the line, the lockdown happened and schools had to halt for the safety of both the learners and the teachers.

“Prior to the pandemic, everything had been going well and there were so many teachers who were willing to assist whenever I needed help. Even after everything, they are still great and very supportive when you are struggling,” she said. She added that working in a team has made adjusting to the changes to teaching conditions a lot easier, hence she has never at any moment considered a career change. She reiterated that she loves her job and working with children and as a result, the challenge with Covid-19 hasn’t resulted in her wanting to leave teaching. Speaking on how she destresses, she laughingly said that talking a lot is a way to blow off steam. “I talk a lot, so that helps me get things off my chest but apart from that, I enjoy working in the garden and Io use essential oils,” she said.

Her message to fellow young teachers is to not lose hope, no matter how difficult things can get, as well as to take the time to relax.

“It’s okay to take a Saturday off and do absolutely nothing because the mind and body need that sometimes. If you feel things are getting tough, sort them out, make a list of what is important to do now and what can be done later,” she said.