Western Cape teachers honoured at National Teaching Awards
Shanley Cyster science teacher at Rietenbosch Primary School was the first runner up in the category for Excellence in Technology – Enhanced Teaching and Learning at the National Teaching Awards, held in Tshwane this morning, coinciding with World Teachers’ Day.
These awards are an opportunity to celebrate the incredible work that teachers in public schools do every day, and to recognise excellent teaching practice.
Shanley, a strong advocate for family and community values has, in a purposeful and passionate way, embraced the power and impact of technology in her previous position at Dorothea Special School. As a special needs focused teacher, Shanley displays a strong ethic in eLearning and Information Communication and Technology (ICT) implementation to provide a holistic learning experience and development for her learners in preparation for life and world of work.
Having been given the title “Mrs IPad” by her learners owing to her consistent use of ICT in her classroom and schooling environment, she serves as a role model to both her learners and colleagues alike. She dedicates her time to lifelong learning having completed a number of courses within Apple Education, Accessibility in Education and currently completing the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) eLearning course: The ICT Adoption Strategy.
She also holds an Honours degree in Computer Integrated Education from the University of Pretoria. Her persistent and resilient efforts to incorporating ICT in the school environment is evident by her acting as a peer coach and trainer in her school with an open-door-and-always-ready-to-help policy. She serves as a mentor for her colleagues to boost their confidence and provides all the necessary support within ICT for specials needs learners. She is the ICT coordinator, website, and social media manager, WCED ICT facilitator and is also responsible for the inventory, procurement and ICT growth within the school.
Considering that the school is in a low socio-economic area, rife with gangsterism, Shanley has committed herself to ensuring her learners receive meaningful real-life learning experiences, creative expression, and values-based learning to empower the learners despite their barriers using ICT. She spends time creating sequenced dancing and TikTok videos with them to promote their fine and gross motor skills.
She provides her learners with the opportunities to exercise their autonomy through the creation of GIFs, eCards, posters, worksheets, short videos, and digital presentations. She also creates digital simulations that replicate real-life scenarios to prepare learners for life. All learner evidence is uploaded to Google Drive and shared space in which parents and colleagues can view the progress of the learners.
Shanley incorporates several different digital tools such as Kahoot, IMovies, Google Suite, QR codes, Maths Curriculum Online, Canva, to name a few. The use of these tools is modified to fit the abilities of her learners, seeking to elevate their skills continuously using digital tools. Her passion for ICT has provided opportunities for learners with non-verbal or limited communication to have a voice and communicate with classmates and teachers, using a tool such as Chatterbox, to reaffirm growth, self-esteem, and autonomy.
Having a vision to expand the integration of ICT into specialised education, she sought avenues to fund a coding and robotics initiative for the school and successfully received R13000 to start a Coding and Robotics club. This serves as an incentive, stronger motivation and reinforces positive behaviour along with providing the necessary Fourth Industrial Revolution skills.
She premises her integration of ICT on the Universal Design Learning (UDL) model as it expounds the importance of accessibility and inclusivity. She also incorporates the TPACK model to help design efficient digital learning lessons. Shanley considers herself a lifelong learner and is constantly developing and improving on her teaching offerings and practices. Her impact at her school is evident and lasting.
Shanley is highly purpose-driven and believes in serving her schooling community with innovative practices and a values-focused approach. With conviction she shared these words, “Imagine education without technology – I can’t!”
Other top achievers were:
- 1st runner up – Excellence in Teaching Physical Sciences: Cyril Goldstone, Bloubergrant High School, Blouberg Rise, Cape Town
- 2nd runner up – Excellence in Primary School Teaching (Grades 1–7): Dillon Henwood, Elnor Primary School, Elsies River
- 2nd runner up – Excellence in Secondary School Leadership: Mr Mzoliswa Michael
Mavovana, Hector Petersen Secondary School, Wallacedene, Kraaifontein
Global Teacher Prize
Dr Mariette Wheeler of Protea Heights Academy, Brackenfell, has been selected as one of the top 50 finalists in the Global Teacher Prize. She won the award for Best Teacher at the 2021 National Teaching Awards, and went on to be nominated by the Department of Basic Education for the global
competition.