“Teachers affect eternity. No one can tell where their influence stops”
Henry Brooks Adam
This month I thought I would share my personal story with you.
It all began a long time ago when I was just 7 years old. Back then I would return each day from school and spend my afternoons teaching my 3 year old sister Gaynor, all I had learnt that day. My love for teaching began there. When it came time for Gaynor to go to school, she spent 5 days in Grade 1 before she was promoted to the Grade 2. The Principal of the school called my parents in to tell them the good news. He also wanted to find out who the great teacher was in the family. My parents told him it was me. He said I had done a fine job and that I was a born
teacher. That day, the desire to be a teacher was born in me and all I could dream about was becoming a teacher. It would be many years before I would use my teaching talents.
It was later while I was working in the South African Police Service Public Relations Department that I was be given an opportunity. There was a school visit that a colleague of mine could not attend. I volunteered to go in his place. When I reached the school I was told that the principal was currently busy I would need to wait. I ventured out onto the playground and started helping the young children and interacting with them. I came alive in that moment. Unknown to me the Principal had been observing my interaction with the young children. She then asked me why I was in the Police Service instead of working with children. She insisted that I join the Early Childhood Development course that was commencing the next week. I did join the course. My dream was to become a foundation phase teacher who teaches Grade 1 to Grade 3, but God had a much better plan for me in mind. He knew teaching children under the age of 7 years would be best for me and it is the perfect place for me to be.
In the 2nd year of teaching, I again had the wonderful opportunity to study level 1 of Play therapy to better understand children. My love for children and a passion for educating children has encouraged me to study continuously. It took another year for me to get my vision for a playschool. It happened one morning while I was sitting in the garden, at the time I was pregnant with my son, Joshua. It was in this quiet place that I thought of the name, Bella Bee. I love acronyms, so each letter had a meaning to it.
B is for Be
E is for Everything
L is for Life
L is for Lets
A is for Available
B is for Be
E is for Everything
E is for Excellence
My slogan would be The Unique Difference. I wanted to build a playschool, as I believe in learning through play while you enjoying yourself, is the best way to learn. It adds value to learning in every aspect. I also wanted to move away from large school setting, which could be intimidating and lack atmosphere. I wanted to focus on a small environment that was cosy and warm and that creates a happy loving atmosphere that embraces young children. A homely atmosphere. I remember how intimidating and cold school was for me.
I also wanted to offer personal attention to each child and their parents. I enjoy one on one personal relationships. I love connection and collaboration.
Finally, I wanted to include activities that are often left out of schools or are very limited. Activities such as dancing, singing, creating from self-expression, dressing up clothes, puppets, baking, beautiful stories, outings and caring for nature and animals. Special days of celebrations and traditions. A beautiful child-friendly garden to enjoy with wonderful trees to climb. This is a school I would love to have attended when I was little. A place where I could learn and grow.
The vision and seeds were planted in my heart that day, but it would take another 3 years for those seeds to start growing. It was another miracle that God led me to the home I live in and on the 1st of September 2001, I started with what I had at the time; the dream in my heart. I had my son Joshua, who was almost 3 years old by my side. He was so eager to learn and go to playschool each day. He was my gift of inspiration.
From the beginning, I wanted to build a playschool with a legacy. I wanted to collaborate
and connect with others. Each item of furniture or equipment at my playschool has a story attached to it. Where it came from and the family and child connected to it. Every day when I use an item or I look around my classroom, I am still surrounded by the memories of the beautiful children I have taught and shared my heart with and they have shared their hearts with me.
Through the years many parents and children have made this possible. I am forever grateful
to you all. Thank you.
When I started teaching I thought I am going to teach these children so many things and
I have done just that. However, I never realised how many things these children would teach me. I started 20 years ago with a dream and a vision in my heart. A love for little children and a passion for teaching. None of that has changed. I still get excited to teach. This journey has taught me more than I could ever imagine. I have grown and it has been a wonderful adventure filled with meaningful memories that I will forever cherish in my heart.
Now, I look forward to the next 20 years of teaching.
“Teachers who love to teach inspire children to love to learn. ”
