One of the teachers who recently won big at the provincial teachers awards was over the moon when he found out.
Dillon Seals from Apex High School in Eerste River received the Excellence in Teaching Mathematics (FET) Award.
Renate van der Westhuizen, principal of Apex, described her colleague as a humble man. “I really do not think he expected to walk away in first place. I think he really impressed the judges with the amount of effort put into increasing the mathematics pass rate at our school. Dillon improved it with 32,5% from 2022 to 2023. His intervention strategies also improved the Grade 9 systemic results significantly.
“Dillon is loved by every learner he teaches and is respected by his peers. He is always keen to help where he can, and is adamant to foster a love for mathematics and critical thinking in our kids.”
According to Van der Westhuizen Seals has consistently gone above and beyond, to ensure every learner not only grasps the subject matter, but also develops a genuine love for mathematics. “His dedication to fostering a growth mindset and critical thinking skills in his students has not only led to impressive academic results, but has also inspired a new generation of learners to pursue STEM fields with confidence and enthusiasm. From a principal’s perspective, Seals’ achievement is a testament to his relentless pursuit of excellence in education. He has an innate ability to connect with his learners, understanding their individual needs and tailoring his teaching approach accordingly. This personalised attention, combined with his passion for the subject, has created a learning environment where students feel supported and motivated to reach their full potential.”
Van der Westhuizen said since 2021 Apex High has had winners, two of them winning national awards.
