Adjectives
May 31, 2022
What weighs more?
June 20, 2022
The struggles - and successes - of gaining principals’ trust in Gauteng
When the school calendar for 2022 started, Edufundi’s Gauteng team had no list of schools to be mentored, coached and supported. This was worrying, as an onboarding session with the new schools should happen three months before schools close for December holidays – to make sure that by the time the new school year starts the Edufundi Support Programme is in place.
Banding together, the Gauteng team started looking for schools to onboard, focusing on Johannesburg North, Ekurhuleni North and Johannesburg Central Districts. As we ventured into new schools, we kept wondering how we would be received. Some schools welcomed us, while others were apprehensive and showed little interest, the principals in particular. The team showed their resilience and commitment through constant school visits and engagement with difficult principals. The breakthrough came a few weeks into the term.
From doubt to excitement
The principals’ soon turned our doubts to feelings of excitement and happiness. As soon as we outlined the project, the principals fully opened their hands to it. As a bonus to this euphoria, Vuyo’s visit to the province rubber-stamped our welcome in the schools. The schools were finally convinced by our programme.
We secured schools in Ekurhuleni North and Johannesburg North Districts.
As a team, we have chosen the circle to represent our group because it is a representation of fullness. In our team, we became complete when working together. A circle is also a representation of continuity. Our hopes and prayers are that, as we continue on our journey of impacting others, may we not lose ourselves in the process.
Working togther
Our team work has become a chain reaction, in our imperfections we have found ways and means for the team to work perfectly. We came to understand that each person is impacted by the next person. We strive to become the wheel of change as we move amongst the schools we support.
Every team member has attested to the fact that the experience in joining the Gauteng Team has been both eye opening and comforting. We are all different and this has been a great strength!
We are so proud of the way the Teach Like a Champion mentors managed to navigate the different schools and principals, SMTs and teachers.
The Gauteng LLAC (Lead like a Champion) Coach has said that, as soon as he was welcomed into the Edufundi team, he realised that we have an insatiable thirst for success, which was evident in each team member’s ability to work with others selflessly, not only for the success of the Gauteng Edufundi team, but for Edufundi as a whole. The ultimate goal being to successfully mentor and coach teachers and School Management Teams to be champions in what they do.
Soon, everywhere we went in the schools, we were met with one question; ‘when do we start?’. Our biggest challenge of getting new schools on board, turned into one of our biggest successes and we are proud to have the opportunity to tell this story!
