Date: 25/02/2004
By: Terri-Liza Fortuin
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Two of the Western Cape's top maths and science teachers have been chosen to represent the province at the National Maths and Science Teacher of the Year Awards.
Vanessa Thaver, a Grade 5 teacher at the Golden Grove Primary School in Rondebosch, and John Bekkers, a former Athlone High School teacher, will compete with maths and science teachers from other provinces for the national title in Gauteng on March 18.
They were announced the winners in Cape Town last Friday after beating 15 other finalists from their province. Bekkers, a Bellville resident, won the best retired teacher award. He is confident of making his province proud at the national finals.
'I have very high hopes for the competition. I`ve always had a passion for education and will continue being involved,' he says.
Bekkers has impressive credentials. He is a University of Cape Town graduate and has almost 50 years of maths and science teaching experience.
Though retired, he is involved in teaching initiatives such as extra maths and science tuition for high school pupils.
Thaver, the winner in the best practicing teacher category, says: 'I was sitting there watching this elderly gentleman walking to the podium and I was really inspired to see someone at his age still working in education.'
Seconds later she heard her name being announced, and she confesses that it felt like she was dreaming. Thaver (35), who is originally from KwaZulu-Natal but has been teaching in Cape Town for about 15 years, shares her knowledge on outcomes-based education with other educators.
She graduated from the University of Durban-Westville and has attended several skills assessment courses.
'It is very important to share skills and resources,' she says.
Ron Swartz, Western Cape head of education, wished them all the best. They won R1 000 in cash and personal computers. The competition has been running from 1998 and is sponsored by Sowetan, the Telkom and Protec and Shuttleworth foundations.