Luize Kroukamp, a natural sciences teacher at Paul Roos Gymnasium, is one of 13 teachers in the province to receive awards in the provincial leg of the 2022 National Teaching Awards.
The local teacher walked away with the provincial award for Excellence in Teaching National Sciences at the glitzy event on Saturday (10 September). It was hosted by the provincial education department along with provincial education minister David Maynier and Western Cape premier Alan Winde.
The annual awards aim to give recognition to teachers who go above and beyond their calling to develop and educate learners while also delivering excellent results. The 13 category winners of the Western Cape will now go on to represent the province at the 2022 National Teaching Awards, which is hosted by the national Department of Basic Education.
“The one thing the pandemic taught us is that schools matter, and that teachers matter,” said Maynier. “I thank all of our teachers across the province for their innovation, dedication, integrity, commitment, courage, caring, and most importantly, the deep love that they have for the children of the Western Cape.
“All teachers, governing bodies and district officials were invited to submit nominations of teachers at registered public sector schools. These awards give us the opportunity to celebrate the outstanding work our teachers do daily. Congratulations to all the winners and runners-up. We are building a network of groundbreaking teachers and leaders through these awards, whose example we can all learn from and be inspired by, and mentors who we can lean on when times get tough.”
The motivation, which led to Kroukamp receiving the award, described her as “a passionate teacher and lifelong learner who goes the extra mile in promoting and developing a love for her subject, natural sciences”.
“She strives to make science relevant and explains difficult concepts in simple yet interesting ways by using and advocating for hands-on practical teaching versus textbook knowledge. She engages learners by exposing them to science in the world of engineering and medicine.”
Kroukamp has a passion for “real world” science, which she demonstrates through hands-on learning and integration with other scientific fields. “She brings the outside world into the classroom through methods of engagement and enquiry, advocating for her subject and involving herself in various competitions and expos,” the motivation read.
“She has a vision for excellence and development, and has written textbooks and produced many practical, visual resources, such as YouTube videos, which she openly shares with others.”
Kroukamp is further labelled a “natural mentor” to both teachers and learners, while she remains keen to develop both a love for, and knowledge of, her subject. She regularly speaks at conferences, guides other natural science teachers, advises Grade 9 learners on their subject choices and promotes the field of natural sciences.
“She inspires a love of learning and engagement by inviting experts in their fields to address her learners.”
Furthermore, Kroukamp encourages learners and colleagues to participate in extra- and co-curricular activities and leads by example, actively pursuing opportunities to improve herself by challenging herself to push the boundaries personally and professionally.
“Promoting diversity is close to her heart and she initiated the Masithethe Choir at her school with the aim of giving all learners a voice. She addresses the impact and effects of diversity and inclusivity by sharing her personal experiences of being a woman at a boys’ school as well as a woman in management.”
