A teacher changed my life | Darren August | TEDxPretoria

Summary

Darren August addresses the challenges faced by the teaching profession in South Africa, highlighting the shortage of teachers, high resignation rates, and the increasing violence teachers face. He reflects on the transformative power of teachers, sharing his own experience where a teacher shaped his destiny. August urges the public to support teachers, appreciate their efforts, and advocate for safer, more supportive environments. He stresses that teachers are pivotal in shaping futures, and through genuine appreciation and collective action, the profession can be elevated and preserved.

Takeaways

• 😀 South Africa faces a yearly shortage of 25,000-30,000 teachers, with approximately 12,800 teachers leaving the profession annually due to resignation, not retirement.
• 😀 The number of new teachers produced annually (5,000-7,000) is insufficient to meet the growing demand for educators in the country.
• 😀 The speaker emphasizes the importance of teachers creating defining moments in the classroom, which can shape a student's future.
• 😀 A personal story is shared about how a teacher's recognition of public speaking potential in grade 2 led the speaker to pursue a career in speaking.
• 😀 Teachers play a pivotal role in changing lives, as exemplified by the story of Siya Kolisi, a South African rugby player whose teacher helped him secure a scholarship, eventually leading to a World Cup victory.
• 😀 The teaching profession in South Africa is increasingly under threat due to violence in schools, insufficient resources, and a lack of support from government and parents.
• 😀 Teachers are facing physical and emotional abuse, with reports of assaults and threats from students becoming commonplace.
• 😀 The decline in the profession's status has made it a less attractive career, with many teachers leaving due to stress and violence.
• 😀 The speaker calls for a collective effort to support teachers by raising awareness, improving safety, and recognizing their contributions to society.
• 😀 Teachers desire genuine appreciation for their work, and small gestures of gratitude can make a significant impact on their morale and retention.
• 😀 The speaker encourages people outside the classroom to become advocates for teachers and help elevate the profession by offering recognition and support.

Q & A

What is the current teacher shortage in South Africa?

Every year, South Africa faces a shortage of between 25,000 and 30,000 teachers.

How many new teachers does the higher education system in South Africa produce annually?

The higher education system in South Africa produces between 5,000 and 7,000 new teachers each year.

What is the reason for the large number of teachers leaving the profession?

Approximately 12,800 teachers leave the profession each year, not due to retirement, but because of resignations, often due to frustration, violence, and lack of support.

What did the teacher in the audience say about the 12,800 figure for resignations?

A teacher in the audience updated the number to 12,803, explaining that three teachers were leaving the profession that Friday, expressing they were 'fed up.'

How does the speaker view the importance of teachers in shaping lives?

The speaker emphasizes that teachers create 'defining moments' in their students' lives and have the power to shape destinies, as shown through their personal story of how a teacher recognized his potential for public speaking.

Can you share an example of how a teacher's recognition changed someone's life?

In grade 2, the speaker's teacher recognized his public speaking abilities and gave him a 13/10 for recitation, which was a defining moment in his life, leading him to pursue a career in speaking.

How has violence and disrespect in schools affected the teaching profession?

Violence and abuse in schools have made the teaching profession increasingly dangerous and stressful, with reports of teachers being threatened, assaulted, and even killed by students.

What are some of the pressures teachers face besides violence?

Teachers face pressures from government and parents to perform, often with inadequate resources, lack of support, and the burden of achieving great results under difficult circumstances.

What is the main message the speaker wants to convey regarding the teaching profession?

The speaker urges society to support and appreciate teachers, stressing that teaching is the profession that creates every other and that teachers need recognition and respect.

What was the outcome of the speaker's conversation with the grade 2 teacher who mentioned Kazakhstan?

The speaker was deeply impacted by the teacher’s decision to resign that day to teach in Kazakhstan, reflecting the unbearable conditions that have led many teachers to leave the profession.