Melanie Jansens Ter Laeck

I was employed at Forestview Primary school as a permanent Grade 2 teacher . I was responsible for teaching my class the required curriculum and was also given the responsibility of teaching other Grade 2 and Grade 3 classes Art and Computers. My role extended onto the sports field in the afternoons where I coached and coordinated practices and fixtures for Netball and Tennis. I was actively involved in the Drama department and directed and produced the Foundation Phase Christmas Production for grade 1-3.

I therefore:

• Pursued every opportunity to grow abilities and take on increasing responsibility.
• Introduced new technology into classroom to optimize teaching and increase student interest.
• Supported students outside of classroom environments by contributing to assemblies, athletic events and special performances.
• Cultivated positive relationships with administration, teaching staff, and students.
• Created and implemented different learning activities to meet needs of different types of learners.
• Built positive relationships with parents to involve families in educational process.

I was employed by New Germany Primary School as a Grade One educator before I left for London and on my return to South Africa. I was responsible in delivering the curriculum to my class of learners and helping out in other Grades. I was responsible for teaching Grade 7 Design and Technology, Grade 6 English Spelling and Orals and spent time in the LSEN class. The main goal in the LSEN lessons were to :

• Promoted exploration of building blocks of learning by leading diverse, hands-on activities.
• Sourced supplies to fill gaps in student activities.
• Adapted lessons to differentiate instruction and meet students' diverse learning needs and abilities.
• Created supportive and inclusive learning environments, fostering positive classroom atmospheres supporting student growth and learning.

I was employed as a permanent Reception educator (equivalent to Grade R ). It was a privilege to learn and grow as a teacher while being exposed to numerous cultures. I was also responsible for the following lessons with other Grades : Physical Education, Music and Movement, Design and Technology, Basic ICT.

I expressed an interest in personal development and as an educator and applied for a Year One post the following year (equivalent to Grade One). Again I was solely responsible for teaching the entire Year One curriculum to my learners and continued to teach the additional learning areas above to other classes. I was actively involved in lesson planning and Evaluation Systems.

My focus was to:

• Assist struggling students to maintain progress levels by designing individualized lesson plans.
• Lead activities that developed students' physical, emotional, and social growth.
• Monitor student performance to evaluate effectiveness of instructional strategies.
• Collaborate with students and extend those with higher thinking abilities to accomplish various challenging tasks.
• Developed and implemented behavior management plans to improve student behavior.
• Worked closely with parents and guardians to address students' issues on multiple fronts.

I was employed as a permanent Grade 1 Educator on returning from London.

My role included delivering and being responsible to teach the Grade 1 curriculum . Other responsibilities included teaching the older Grades in the afternoon.

Subjects included : Practical Biology Grade 3, English Spelling and Orals Grade 6, Design and Technology Grade 7, LSEN Zulu Grade 2-7.

I was actively involved in the extra curricular programme and engaged in the following responsibilities: Homework Club, Perceptual Training Skills, Netball Coach and coordinator, 100 Athletics club.