The phrase “couple goals” is often loosely attributed to so-called aspirational couples. However, local couple Reverend Doctor Leon Klein and Fredeline Klein have far surpassed this description, having dedicated three years to writing their book, The Ambassador Learner.
Describing the process as a “life mission” the pair say the project brings together their shared passion for education and transformation.
“This project has allowed us to combine our unique experiences, skills and abilities toward finding a common educational solution for social moral ills in society,” says Leon.
The book focuses specifically on character development, which they have described as “the basis for value-driven education”. Their belief is that by developing school environments where values such as respect for self, others and the environment become the norm, they can encourage a culture of excellence and respect.
“Our society is morally sick, and schools have become the place where most of the sickening symptoms are shown and played out. Just last week, a Grade 1 learner was stabbed to death by a Grade 11 learner at a North West school. Not so long ago a teacher was stabbed to death by a learner. The name-blame-shame approach doesn’t bring about the solutions we hope to see in our schools; it doesn’t change behaviour. Education is not the problem. Education without values is the problem,” says Leon. “Every school, irrespective of size, location or economic status, can become a value-driven school, characterised by excellence and a culture of respect.”
Married for 25 years, Leon and Fredeline are both educators by profession. “Fredeline is a school principal and I am a Methodist minister of religion, registered family therapist, social entrepreneurial leader and university lecturer,” says Leon. They describe themselves as simple people who love other people. For the past four years Leon has been serving as minister at the Methodist Church in Kuils River. “Ministry is a calling, not a job. There is nothing professional about it. It is messy. So is teaching. Every challenge is a growth opportunity,” he says. He describes his greatest challenge in both ministry and teaching as the comfort-zone syndrome. “Comfort zones create the illusion that we are okay the way we are. It makes people reluctant to change, risk and dream. My greatest success, throughout my ministry and teaching, is seeing people move from success to significance; from self-centredness to other-centredness, discovering and rediscovering the surprising element in the impossibilities,” he says.
Fredeline, who serves as the principal of Highbury Primary School, was part of the team which four years ago partnered to found the school. “I had the privilege, together with a then very small yet amazing team, to move the school from birth to baby; from concept to reality. Many people contributed to this dream coming true – mentors, parents, officials and learners. Founding a school is to be able to see, visualise or imagine how it will meet needs in unique ways,” she says. As principal she marks the greatest challenge within her profession as being to confront the cultural sameness mentality. “The greatest challenge has been to confront the cultural sameness mentality and the greatest success is to see cultural diversity and integration happening,” she says.
Leon says the writing of the book came about accidentally, when he was summoned by his principal wife to conduct a three-hour workshop in an effort to equip the Grade 4 and 5 learners of Highbury Primary School with basic leadership skills. “Her instruction was to present a workshop on respecting self, others and the environment. After some brainstorming, we decided on the workshop topic – The Ambassador Learner,” says Leon.
Between the couple they have authored six books; however this serves as the first book they have co-authored. “Expect this book to challenge you to become an ambassador who models the moral change you wish to see in your school, home and society,” says Leon. “Reading this book and internalising its values will change you from being a complainer about the bad you see, to a contributor towards the positive you wish to see. Parents, educators, principals, school governing body members and learners interested in becoming an ambassador of their school should read this book.”
The Kleins assure readers that this is not their last joint venture. “Our life together, being married for 25 years, we guess, is an incomplete project in progress. Everything we do, whether parenting, developing community projects, ministry, or writing books, are life passions we direct towards shared projects as a couple,” says Leon.
