Star Teacher
Goodwill Khoa“Be the change you wish to see, and do not just wish for change constantly.”
1. When did your journey as a teacher start?
My journey as a teacher started while I was still in high school. My English teacher, Ida Krohne from Ella Du Plessis High School, approached me and a bunch of my classmates. She asked us: “What are you going to do after you graduate from high school?” Most of us were running into prominent fields - medicine, accounting, engineering, computer science, and all the fields that were yielding profits seemed to be a guarantee. She then asked “what will happen to education if all the smart people only go into making money for themselves? What will happen to our future generations?” These questions forced me to respond and say: “Don't worry, I will go into teaching!” That was the start, and everything else just fell into place.
2. Which subjects and grades do you teach?
I am qualified to teach upper primary English and mathematics, as well as grade eight to Advanced Subsidiary (AS) level mathematics and computer science. This year, I am only teaching computer science from grade eight to 11.
3. Was teaching always something you wanted to do?
My goal is still to become a professor. So I will have to say yes. It is something I always wanted to do and will continue to do.
4. What is the most challenging thing as a teacher?
Wow... This is a broad question and I can speak about multiple challenges (marking exams, low salary, being viewed as 'less than' by parents and the community, etc). However, on a personal note, the most challenging thing as a teacher is remembering all the names of my current learners as well as former learners. Because they always know my name and expect a “Hello Anna" - or Marie or was it Anna-Marie? I do apologise in advance.
5. What do you love about your profession?
The light bulb (ahaa!) moments are something that always bring joy to my heart. When a learner finally solves that equation or understands how that algorithm works or connects history to reality. That is what I love most. Also the diversity - no human being is the same, not even identical twins.
6. What would you be if you didn’t become a teacher?
I would still be a teacher in one way or another. Teaching someone chess or guitar or saxophone, or taking up some leadership positions and guiding those under myself to success as well. Perhaps a computer scientist. I also hold a software engineering degree and I am still very much active in the computer science field.
7. What keeps you motivated and inspired to keep on teaching?
The learners. They are the ones who matter the most. The day I quit is the day the learners say 'we do not need you'. At the moment, they are all saying 'wait until I am done with school'. And the same message repeats every year. The best part is seeing how one can shape and positively change a person.
8. What do you enjoy in your free time?
Playing chess, of course. Playing guitar, writing songs and coding.
9. What is the greatest thing you have ever achieved?
I normally do not count them. I have this philosophy: The greatest thing I achieve is yet to come. This keeps me from settling with the current. I believe I can still do better.
10. Do you have any motivation for prospective teachers?
It is true that teaching is a calling. You need to want to teach to be a teacher. If you only settle for teaching or go for promotions, you will not make it. The average person living now had to go through a teacher at some point in their lives. Knowing this, you do not need to compare your Toyota to their Lamborghini. You are adding value to society and you are shaping the world.