Star teacher of the week

Charmaine Silver, Tsumeb Gimnasium



Why did you become a teacher?

My mother was a teacher and from my first day at school I have never considered another career. This career was my destiny.

What motivates you every morning to get up and go to work?

Every day is a gift that we receive and we need to make the most of every moment. This motivates me to get up every day and do what needs to be done, because I believe in using each moment you are given.

Tell us about challenges and how you overcome them daily.

Being a mathematics teacher, I find that learners have difficulty visualising everyday concepts such as volume, distance, time and area. I try, as far as possible, to illustrate these things practically. By illustrating things visually, you provide learners with a better picture and help them to understand concepts easier.

What is one of the biggest lessons you have learnt from your learners?

Learners remember you more for the kind words and hugs that you give them than for the academic content that you teach them. Compassion, love and kindness is what matters in life, and that is something I will always remember and cherish.

What are your talents and what are you passionate about?

When I am not busy with schoolwork, I keep myself busy with making cards, sewing, reading and doing puzzles. I am passionate about wildlife. I am a keen birdwatcher and also enjoy identifying trees. I love what nature offers us and what we can learn from it.

What is your favourite book, song or place to visit in Namibia?

I do not have a favourite book, but I read a lot, especially during school holidays. My favourite song is ‘Keep Me in the Moment’ by Jeremy Camp. The words are very inspiring, especially in our current circumstances. Finally, the place I love to visit in Namibia is the Mahangu Game Reserve. The birdlife, animals and trees are fantastic there.

Tell us more about your teaching journey.

I matriculated at Empangeni High in KwaZulu-Natal and went to the University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg. I obtained a BSc (Hons) in Zoology there. My first job was as curator of aquatic invertebrates at the National Museum in Windhoek. During this time, I obtained my teaching diploma through the University of South Africa.

My first teaching post was in Tsumkwe, Bushmanland, in 1985, where I also met my husband, Wimpie.

We spent the next few years teaching at Aasvoëlnes Primary School, Omega Junior Secondary School and Mangetti Duin Primary School. My husband was the principal at these schools, so I was always transferred with him from place to place.

In 1991, I taught mathematics at Otjikoto Senior Secondary School in Tsumeb. I also became a head of department that year.

We then moved to the Gobabis area where I taught at four different schools over a period of 26 years: Mokganedi Thlabanello Secondary School, Ernst Meyer Primary School, Gobabis Gymnasium and Wennie du Plessis Secondary School.

While at the primary schools, I taught mathematics, English and general science. The high school subjects I taught included mathematics, English and biology.

I am currently teaching mathematics from grade 8 to 12 at Tsumeb Gimnasium. I had the honour of being an inspector of the Namibian Private Schools Organisation over the past two years. During this time, I had the privilege of visiting over 20 private schools all over Namibia.

After teaching for 35 years, I still find it an incredibly rewarding career.