GQEBERHA – For Danielle Nicholas, teaching is about more than examination results.

After 16 years at Gelvandale High School, the English Home Language educator believes her greatest reward is seeing learners gain confidence, overcome challenges and discover their potential.

Her dedication has recently been recognised with an MEC Excellence Award for outstanding academic performance in English Home Language.

“My primary aim has always been to help learners succeed,” she says.

Nicholas’s journey into teaching was not straightforward. After matriculating, she initially pursued an LLB degree but realised law was not the right career for her. She then worked as an administrative clerk at a retail company for six years.

From law studies to the classroom

During this time, visits to a nearby library during lunch and tea breaks rekindled her love of literature. She pursued a degree in English and, after completing her Honours degree in English Studies, began teaching at Gelvandale High.

Nicholas believes effective teaching requires understanding learners’ different needs, abilities and learning styles.

“Success comes through hard work and careful consideration of the teaching strategies best suited to learners, both collectively and individually,” she explains.

She uses real-world examples to help learners engage with literary works by William Shakespeare and W. B. Yeats.

This year, she introduced motivational sessions called Story Time with Miss Nicholas, which she says have been well received, with improvements in learners’ focus and commitment to their studies.

Helping learners find their confidence

At a school drawing learners from across Nelson Mandela Bay, many of whom do not speak English as their first language, Nicholas emphasises the importance of developing communication skills to improve academic performance and access future opportunities.

One learner’s experience illustrates her approach. Despite his writing ability, he had repeated several grades, with peer pressure and academic setbacks affecting his progress.

Recognising his talent, Nicholas asked his permission to read some of his essays to the class.

The positive feedback from his peers helped build his confidence, and he gradually applied himself more diligently. He eventually achieved a Bachelor’s Pass in the National Senior Certificate examination.

“When learners feel supported and know that someone believes in them, they begin to believe in themselves,” she says. “Teaching is truly a work of heart.”

For Nicholas, the rewards of teaching extend beyond the classroom.

A lasting impact beyond the classroom

Former learners have returned to thank her for their support, with some becoming the first in their families to attend university.

Others have credited their grounding in English with helping them excel in their studies.

She wants learners to recognise their abilities, set meaningful goals and communicate confidently.

“Each person has unique gifts to share,” she says, adding that even seemingly small gifts can profoundly affect others.

She hopes stronger English skills will help learners access opportunities and share their perspectives with the wider world.

Nicholas also acknowledges her colleagues’ dedication to supporting learners despite difficult circumstances.

She credits the school’s educators, management team and other stakeholders for working towards a shared vision, reflected in the school motto, Ad Astra, meaning “to the stars”.

Her message to aspiring educators reflects her belief in the lasting influence teachers can have on young lives.

“I firmly believe that teaching is a calling and truly a work of heart,” she says. “Sometimes a lesson is far more than a lesson; it can be life changing.”

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