Teacher Talk
Featuring Mr. Johan & Mrs. Sulene Groenewald
Who we are...
A young and vibrant couple from South Africa, the Groenewald's are also new to the UAE!
Read on to know a bit more about them!
1. Your name and position in Ajman Academy?
Johan: Teaching Assistant
Sulene: Physics Teacher
2. Where are you from?
J: I am from a small wheat and sheep farming community. The town is called Moorreesburg. It is in the western part of the country in the Western Cape province of South Africa.
S: I am from the beautiful town of Stellenbosch in South Africa.
3. Do you have a family?
J: My Father (former magistrate) and mother (former teacher) are both retired. I also have two brothers, Tiaan (29) is a bookkeeper & accountant and Ruan (24) is a draftsman for an engineering company. As you also know by now, I am married and my wife is Sulene.
S: My husband is Johan. My parents and two brothers live in South Africa.
4. Your childhood nickname?
J: Just Johan
S: No nickname, just “Sulene”.
5. What's your favourite food?
J: Steak & Chips
S: A good South African Braai (also referred to as a “barbeque”).
6. What are your hobbies?
J: I like watching or playing any sport; rugby, cricket, tennis, golf, formula 1 etc... I also like to play Play Station games, go to the beach and ANY water park or amusement park!
S: Any water sports/activities (swimming, water parks, beach and so forth), hiking and dancing.
7. Where's your favourite place in the UAE?
J: Yet to be decided, but I am sure it will be Aquaventure Waterpark in Dubai once I get there.
S: We have not explored the UAE yet. As soon as the dust settles (pun intended), we will start exploring all the suggestions made by the people we have met here.
8. Most memorable experience as a teacher so far?
J: The last week or two at my previous school most of the really naughty children who tried their best to disrupt my lessons every time, came to me and told me that I must not leave the school because I am like a father to them.
S: Being able to change the attitude and behaviour of an aggressive, disrespectful and disruptive boy by showing an interest not only in his education, but also his well-being. He changed into a kind, respectful and cooperative boy.
9. Can you share with us your funniest moment in your teaching career?
J: I am normally very strict, so in my short time as a teacher I haven’t experienced a memorable funny moment as yet, but I am sure that as I add on more years there will definitely be some funny moments coming up.
S: There have been so many funny moments, but for some reason I cannot think of one! I enjoy a good laugh with students or about events in class on a regular basis.
10. How about your most challenging moment in your teaching career?
J: After only six months experience I had to take over the Head of English position at a new school of almost 1500 learners. The school is in an informal settlement and most, of not all, of the children experiences troubling situations at home on a daily basis. I had to help them not only with their work at school, but also with sociological problems.
S: I think it has to be the story about the boy I just mentioned in the question of the most memorable moment. It definitely left an impact on how someone can change when they want to!
11. Who's your childhood hero?
J: A rugby player called Corné Krige (Springbok captain) and Batman!
S: My mother. It would take pages to explain how she has supported and motivated me throughout my life. She is a selfless person who always sacrifices her time to help others wherever she can. I strive to be as kind and generous as she is.
12. If you weren’t a teacher, what would you be?
J: Probably a rugby player or coach.
S: I might have had a career in the medical field- perhaps a surgeon. I might also have been a housewife living in the country with a lot of animals and my own vegetable garden and various fruit trees. Who knows?
Thank you so much the both of you for taking the time to have this interview with us!
Watch this space for another edition of "Teacher Talk" coming to you next week