You’re my superhero, teacher
TEACHING is not a “bread and butter career” but an obligation to ensure pupils receive the best education and support. This thinking earned Orient Heights Primary School’s maths and technology education specialist and acting principal, Perumal Govender, the annual Woolworths National Teacher’s Day Award.
The 55-year-old father of two, believes a good teacher should have a heart of gold, be willing to go the extra mile and make every lesson count.
Govender, who holds a BA degree in education, has been teaching for 32 years and was nominated for the award by pupil Yestel Lutchman.
About 19 000 pupils were inspired to enter their superhero teachers for the competition. They had to submit a 200-word motivation that highlighted their teacher’s superpowers and described how they had changed their lives.
In her motivation, Yestel highlighted how children responded enthusiastically to a teacher with high expectations.
She wrote: “My teacher and superhero, Mr Govender, is a great role model, who always aims super high to make our school better.
“Since being here, the children in need have got all the things they are in need of, including stationery, school shoes and uniforms. He makes a difference in the children’s lives and turns an unhappy face into a bright bold smile…
“He is my superhero for one thing mostly, he treats everyone equally with no favourites and… we should not treat anyone differently because we are all human.”
Govender believes a teacher is morally obligated to enter the classroom with the highest of expectations for each pupil.
“In maximising the positive benefits that naturally come along with any self-fulfilling prophecy; with dedication, perseverance and hard work, I believe my pupils will rise to the occasion.
“I aim to bring an open
mind, a positive attitude and high expectations to the classroom each day.
“I believe I owe it to my pupils, as well as my community and society, to bring consistency, diligence and warmth to my job in the hope that I can inspire and encourage such traits in the children.”
Govender won a R30 000 Woolworths gift card, R25 000 in cash, a laptop and an expenses-paid weekend getaway for two in Cape Town.
Yestel received a R5 000 Woolworths gift card for her winning motivation. Orient Heights Primary School was awarded a R10 000 cash prize.