This is my story... Portia Mahuma

Hooray it's the end of my final year at university!! I can't wait for my graduation day, to finally become a teacher and have my own classroom to decorate, and most of all have fun with my kids. Wait a minute where did I apply?

"I have decided to place you at Lebone college where you are going to be teacher interns. You will gain more knowledge and experience  there. That will be part of paying back your bursary. At the end of the year you will be  placed at one of the Royal Bafokeng schools to change the way they approach teaching."

''Oh well, that's not a problem I'm up for it I'm sure things will be sooo easy!"

My first day at Lebone, I was introduced to my HOD and my mentor and went through all the important things that  needed to be completed. Then the journey began. I started to open my eyes and learn the Lebone way of teaching. Where I learned that classroom routines are taught, that we praise good behaviour and turn a blind eye on negative behaviour, no corporal punishment and sending children outside the classroom. There is a different way of teaching learners to become independent thinkers and always think about their behaviour and being responsible for their own learning and behaviour. I started to see the worth of being a teacher intern at Lebone when I started seeing the different or rather unique style of teacher or their approach to teaching, seeing passionate teachers. Then I realised that actually being a teacher is far more than just decorating the classroom. I attended different Continuous Professional Developments that gave me more opportunities to grow as a teacher. For instance, Professor Shayer's "Let's Think" lessons believe that the focus should be on what the learner achieve more than always focusing on the teacher.

I learned different teaching methods and techniques. To top it off I had to attend New Teachers' Cafe which is a platform for new teachers to share their teaching experiences and how they are adjusting to the new space of Lebone, I learned more techniques, heard different teaching experiences and met older teachers in the profession. Who would know that Mrs Reynolds would still be a teacher now after all she went through? I remember her sharing about the past years (1990's) when they sat and taught under trees. I don't know if I would have coped. Mrs Roberts who was assigned a little corner as her own space. I look at them now, still passionate and loving every single moment of their calling.

Through all of that I learned to become passionate, learned to accept my strengths and weakness as a teacher, learned to comply and complain later, not that I will complain. I learned to be a long life learner and most importantly to learn from my colleagues, share ideas and support one another.

I'm learning from the best and I believe that this space (LEBONE) has offered me the best experience ever!