Bloem - APRIL 23

Putting the joy
back in learning
During the pandemic, the notion of a
classroom and the role of a teacher
transformed like never before and Joy
Addams rose to the challenge. Having
decided to open up her home in 2020 for
learners who weren’t coping with their
school work, she has since made strides to
help learners post-pandemic.
“I decided to open up an After Care
where we assist with homework and extra
classes because the phone calls from parents came flooding in from the time
I started offering an extra hand, and above all it also has become a safe and
happy place for learners.”
As a true believer of serving others, whether friends or family, she views every
learner at Joyful Aftercare as her own and goes the extra mile to support her
role as their teacher.
“I make sure that I know and understand their backgrounds first to
understand their behavioural patterns, I then find a mutual ground of interest
for the both of us and then, voila, we have an unbreakable bond.
“I adapt the curriculum to the modern way of their thinking abilities. Using
the latest apps as teaching tools because they’re so interested in social media
and technology. So, by the time they realise they’re actually doing school
work, they’re already done with a proper lesson and they understand it.”
She focuses more on the ages of 7 to 13, as she views these as the most
important stages because that is where routine and consistency can be
developed.
“Starting them off at their age allows for them to reach high school with a
set routine to strive and do better personally and in their academics. We also
strive to teach them that no matter what you take on, as long as you are
consistent, results will show.”
Her advice as a teacher to others: “First understand yourself and what type
of teacher you want to be and what you want to achieve with your learners
because knowing what you want and how you want it to be done, makes it
easier to understand your learners.”
“Teaching allows me to change the world, one child at a time, and my
biggest dream for the future is to own a school, starting from a daycare right
up to grade 7.”
getitmagazine.co.za/bloemfontein
April 2023 Get It Bloemfontein 15