I am Mosikili Matshwana Christinah, a Grade R educator at Mphatlalatsane Combined School in Qwaqwa. My teaching journey started when I got an ECD learnership in 2006, but I have pushed myself to the level of an Honours Degree in Early Childhood Development and Learning. I am presently registered for a Master’s Degree in the same field. Teaching for me is all about the transformation. I like the feeling of meeting new learners at the start of the year, each with their own hidden potential, and watching them change into the confident, capable versions of themselves that walk out of my classroom at the end of the year. That visible progress is my “why”.
I have also realised that for a student to truly thrive, the support needs to exist beyond just my four walls. I am deeply passionate about building a community for my fellow teachers. That is where Teachers Can will be able to give me guidance for the future. I believe that when we share our best practices and good moments, we create a stronger net for our children. My goal is to establish professional relationships that ensure a smooth transition from grade to grade, so that every learner feels a sense of continuity and care as they progress through their schooling.
For South African education, I carry a dream that is both simple and revolutionary: I want our learners to have the chance to master their first language before being introduced to a second. I often think back to the early days of OBE, when Grade 1 focused purely on that foundational linguistic grounding. Giving a child a firm grasp of their mother tongue first isn’t just about grammar; it’s about giving them the cognitive tools to conquer every subject that follows.
I believe that I don’t need a massive platform to change the world. I have the power to make small, intentional changes right where I am. I know that a small shift in my classroom or a shared idea with a colleague can influence the bigger systemic changes we all want to see.