For Waldilene Folding, teaching maths is about more than just getting pupils to understand numbers, it’s about exposing them to a world beyond their limited experience.
“I want to show them that maths exists everywhere in the community and outside of the class,” the teacher from Summerdale High School in Lentegeur said.
Enthusiasm for maths
Folding (34) fosters this mental shift by including her pupils in olympiads, competitions and extra curricular maths and science-related activities.
They’ve also taken part in a recycling indaba and water testing excursion.
“That was for both science and maths,” Folding said.
Recently the pupils also took part in the Nelson Mandela University MathArt competition.
“That was to show them that maths can also be part of art,” Folding said.
The activities have helped to foster an enthusiasm for maths and science at the school which is further enriched by the science, technology, engineering and maths (Stem) club Folding is part of at the school.
Award
And, it earned her a second place in Excellence in Mathematics at the National Teaching Awards competition last month.
The awards recognise exceptional teachers in the country.
It was launched in 2000 and this year was its 25th anniversary. The competition is tough with teachers needing to meet strict criteria before they can be nominated, such as developing learners’ interest in math, creative use of resources, giving timely feedback and fostering high-level maths skills.
Fostering a love for learning
Modest about her win though Folding was more interested in talking about her pupils and how the interventions have fostered a love and excitement for learning.
“It’s so important, or the only thing they will see is poverty and crime in their communities,” she said.
Folding also lives this creed and is currently studying to improve her qualification.
Her current qualification only equips her to teach up to Grade 9. When she finished her current studies she will be able to teach Grades 10 and 11 too.
And, her win has also inspired the pupils.
“The learners were very proud,” she said.
“For the learners it was something major. They felt a sense of achievement as well.”
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