Donna Leigh Holmes
Education Specialist
Boksburg
Summary
Compassionate, creative and effective Teacher with valuable experience in classroom administration, professional development and project planning. Equipped with extensive background in versatile education environments. Student-centric instructor, academic facilitator and motivational coach. Competent at performing independently or as member of teaching team. Well-versed in classroom and online technologies.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
9
9
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certificate
Work History
GRADE 7 HEAD TEACHER
Woodlands International College
01.2025 - Current
- I teach English to Grade 6 and 7 learners, incorporating THRASS, mind mapping, and Kagan cooperative learning strategies to support diverse learning styles and promote critical thinking.
- As the Grade 7 Head Teacher, I am responsible for leading grade-level initiatives, including fundraising for various school projects, upholding discipline standards, and providing academic, emotional, and social support to students as needed.
HEAD OF DEPARTMENT
Maranatha Christian School
01.2021 - 12.2024
- I was the Head of Department for Support and therefore ensured that the students from Grades 4 - 7 were getting the emotional, social and academic support they needed.
- I was also the Grade 6 Head teacher ensuring that Grade 6 teachers and students got what they needed in order to thrive.
- I taught English to Grade 6's and History to Grade 7.
- I was the Head of English and Social Sciences ensuring that the teaching offered by Maranatha, in both subjects, fulfilled the expectations laid out in the CAPS curriculum as well as the quality standards of the IEB.
ENGLISH DIGITAL EDUCATION CONTENT WRITER
IDEA Digital Education
08.2019 - 12.2020
- I wrote English content for digital education topics: Grade 7 - 10.
- The content I wrote was converted into digital content.
- In order for this to happen I worked with a team of animators and coders.
OWNED AND RAN A TUTORING BUSINESS
Lights On
01.2018 - 12.2020
- I worked with children in the afternoons and on Saturdays to develop their critical thinking, reading skills, oral language skills and comprehension skills.
- I used a comprehension programme that I developed myself based on the use of Blooms Taxonomy, critical thinking skills and language skills.
ENGLISH TEACHER FOR GRADE 6 & 7
Maranatha Christian School
01.2014 - 12.2017
- Taught English to Grade 6 and 7 learners.
- The Student Teacher Mentor to six student teachers.
- Prepared and trained learners for Eisteddfod.
- Ran a 'Writers Club' and the school newspaper.
- Reason for leaving: To run my own tutoring company
ENGLISH & NS TEACHER AT RYNFIELD PRIMARY - GRADE 6 HEAD TEACHER
Rynfield Primary School
06.2010 - 12.2013
- Taught English and Natural Science to Grade 6 and Science to Grade 7.
- I was the Grade 6 Head teacher.
- Involved in the following sports: athletics, netball and cricket scoring.
- Started and ran the school's environmental club in association with Eco-Schools.
- The school was awarded a bronze and silver certificate to-date.
- Ran a Science Expo with the Grade 7's at the end of 2012.
- Reason for leaving: My son was entering Grade R and I wanted him to be in a private school.
ENGLISH AND LIFESKILLS TEACHER AT THE TRAINING ACADEMY
The Training Academy
05.2007 - 03.2008
- Taught English and Life Orientation to Grade 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 students.
- Duties included the design and implementation of English and LO lessons and the evaluation of students according to government criteria.
- The students that attended the school had issue with mainstream schooling and needed the small, intimate classes the school provided.
- Many were diagnosed with ADD or ADHD.
- Reason for leaving: I gave birth to my little boy and I wanted to stay at home with him for as long as possible.
MANAGER OF OWN TRAINING BUSINESS CALLED 'TOOLS FOR LIVING'
Tools For Living
08.2006 - 05.2007
- The business focused on the development of an individual's social and emotional development, with schools as the primary target market.
- Reason for leaving: My company was not financially viable.
COUNSELLOR MANAGER AND FACILITATOR FOR 'REALITY TRAINING'
Reality Training Concepts
01.2006 - 12.2006
- Managed the counsellors.
- Drew up counselling procedures.
- Oversaw and planned a client's HIV Employees Assistance Programme.
- Counselled HIV positive clients on-site or telephonically.
- Drew up and trained the HIV Peergroup Counselling course.
- Drew up and trained management and HIV related courses.
- From August to December I worked on a freelance basis.
- Reason for leaving: I started my own training company.
MANAGER AND VOLUNTEER AT ANTARA YOUTH RETREAT
Antara Youth Retreat
05.2004 - 11.2005
- I was involved in the running of the Peergroup Helping and Communication workshops.
- Drew up a new course based on PNI (Psychoneuroimmunology).
- Managed volunteer workers.
- Completed general maintenance and upkeep duties.
- Involved in organising the yearly auction.
- Reason for leaving: I missed my family and decided to move back to South Africa.
TRAINING CONSULTANT FOR 'REALITY TRAINING CONCEPTS'
Reality Training Concepts
02.2003 - 04.2004
- Specialised in HIV basic awareness training, rapid testing and pre/post test counselling.
- Drew up HIV related courses.
- Reason for leaving: I moved to New Zealand to work on a youth retreat.
TEACHER AT HOLY TRINITY SCHOOL
Holy Trinity School
08.2001 - 07.2002
- Taught Class One (Ages 5 - 6) covering all the main subjects.
- Reason for leaving: To travel the world.
TRAINING OFFICER
Rand Refinery
01.2000 - 07.2001
- Duties included the running and organising of courses plus the updating of training records.
- The following courses were facilitated: On-the-job induction training, Rand Refinery's Induction programme, Briefing training and 6M Business Skills.
- Duties also included the managing of the company's Adult Basic Education and Training programme.
- Reason for leaving: I got divorced and decided to fulfil my dream of travelling around the world.
TEACHER AT RYNFIELD PRIMARY SCHOOL
Rynfield Primary School
01.1997 - 12.1999
- Taught Grade 2 (Ages 7 -8) covering all the junior primary subjects.
- Duties included control of the Maths and Art stock and the coaching of netball, soccer, athletics and t-ball.
- Reason for leaving: I wanted to experience the corporate world.
TEACHER AT FREEWAY PARK PRIMARY SCHOOL
Freeway Park Primary
01.1996 - 12.1996
- Taught Grade 3 (Ages 8 - 9) covering all the junior primary subjects.
- Duties included coaching baseball, athletics and netball and being the trade union representative.
- Reason for leaving: I moved to Benoni and the travelling would have been difficult.
Education
HIGHER DIPLOMA - EDUCATION
Johannesburg College of Education
Johannesburg, ZA 01.1992 - 11.1995
SENIOR CERTIFICATE - COMMERCIAL/BUSINESS STUDIES
Boksburg High School
Boksburg, Gauteng 01.1987 - 12.1991
Skills
Blended learning
Educational technology
Project-based learning
Classroom management
Curriculum implementation
Student needs assessment
Program development
Verbal and written communication
Critical thinking
Data analysis
Conflict resolution
Cultural sensitivity
Technology integration
ESL- english as second language
Certification
Teaching certificate, 01/01/96, Present, Registered with SACE.
Timeline
GRADE 7 HEAD TEACHER
Woodlands International College
01.2025 - Current
HEAD OF DEPARTMENT
Maranatha Christian School
01.2021 - 12.2024
ENGLISH DIGITAL EDUCATION CONTENT WRITER
IDEA Digital Education
08.2019 - 12.2020
OWNED AND RAN A TUTORING BUSINESS
Lights On
01.2018 - 12.2020
ENGLISH TEACHER FOR GRADE 6 & 7
Maranatha Christian School
01.2014 - 12.2017
ENGLISH & NS TEACHER AT RYNFIELD PRIMARY - GRADE 6 HEAD TEACHER
Rynfield Primary School
06.2010 - 12.2013
ENGLISH AND LIFESKILLS TEACHER AT THE TRAINING ACADEMY
The Training Academy
05.2007 - 03.2008
MANAGER OF OWN TRAINING BUSINESS CALLED 'TOOLS FOR LIVING'
Tools For Living
08.2006 - 05.2007
COUNSELLOR MANAGER AND FACILITATOR FOR 'REALITY TRAINING'
Reality Training Concepts
01.2006 - 12.2006
MANAGER AND VOLUNTEER AT ANTARA YOUTH RETREAT
Antara Youth Retreat
05.2004 - 11.2005
TRAINING CONSULTANT FOR 'REALITY TRAINING CONCEPTS'
Reality Training Concepts
02.2003 - 04.2004
TEACHER AT HOLY TRINITY SCHOOL
Holy Trinity School
08.2001 - 07.2002
TRAINING OFFICER
Rand Refinery
01.2000 - 07.2001
TEACHER AT RYNFIELD PRIMARY SCHOOL
Rynfield Primary School
01.1997 - 12.1999
TEACHER AT FREEWAY PARK PRIMARY SCHOOL
Freeway Park Primary
01.1996 - 12.1996
HIGHER DIPLOMA - EDUCATION
Johannesburg College of Education
01.1992 - 11.1995
SENIOR CERTIFICATE - COMMERCIAL/BUSINESS STUDIES
Boksburg High School
01.1987 - 12.1991
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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About me
I am passionate about activities that foster connection, creativity and well-being. I enjoy walking and spending quality time outdoors with my son and our dog. Socialising with friends and family is important to me. I'm actively involved in my local community, often attending and supporting live music events and cultural activities. My creative side is expressed through painting and writing. Reading is a daily habit that broadens my perspective and supports continuous personal development.
Additional Information - Courses Completed
- TEFL certificate - Level 5 from the TEFL Academy, June 2025
- Evergreen Parenting Course for teachers, July 2016
- Basic PencilBox training, Sept 2006
- World Institute for Infectious Diseases - HIV International Training, May - July 2006
- Lifeline Personal Growth Course, Nov 2004
- Russell McVeagh's Project Management Course, Feb 2004
- PNI Facilitator training - Positive Living: Train-The-Trainer course, Feb - Mar 2003
- HIV/AIDS Counsellor Training at St. Francis Aids Centre, Jan - Jun 2001
- International Certificate in Training Skills, Jan - Sep 2000
- Supervisory Skills Course for Rand Refinery, Mar - Apr 2000
- Computer Training; Introduction to MS Word and Ms Excel, Aug 1999 - Mar 2000