The 5 Pillars of an Effective Teacher

By Mboniseni Vusumuzi Khumalo

An ever-flowing river is a cut above all other natural resources. A river can be looked at as a symbol of fertility and a symbol of life. Not only does it feed the ocean, but it sustains the lives of the birds, wild animals, livestock, plants and people who connect with it. It allows these beings to take in both its beauty and its life-giving contents.

A river is a beacon of hope. Many come to it when they are in need of help and more often than not it feeds them and caresses them gently, like a mother, instead of drowning them or exposing them to deadly animals as the ocean may.
All things have their challenges, and the river is no exception. From being polluted by the same people it supports, to sometimes having to fight to stay running during droughts, the ever-flowing river remains victorious and rises time and again like a phoenix.

A teacher is like the ever-flowing river, a teacher feeds the ocean of the economy by preparing young ones with survival skills. Not only does a teacher feed the learners, but he or she also influences entire communities. Despite every tribulation faced by a teacher, he or she will always remain victorious, a cut above the rest.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mboniseni Vusumuzi Khumalo
• Release date: Aug 15, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005265151

Book preview

The 5 Pillars of an Effective Teacher

A cut above the rest

The 5 Pillars Of An Effective Teacher

A Cut Above The Rest

Mboniseni Vusumuzi Khumalo

Copyright © 2021 Mboniseni Vusumuzi Khumalo

Published by Mboniseni Vusumuzi KhumalPublishing at Smashwords

First edition 2021

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any information storage or retrieval system without permission from the copyright holder.

The Author has made every effort to trace and acknowledge sources/resources/individuals. In the event that any images/information have been incorrectly attributed or credited, the Author will be pleased to rectify these omissions at the earliest opportunity.

Published by Mboniseni Vusumuzi Khumalo using Reach Publishers’ services,

P O Box 1384, Wandsbeck, South Africa, 3631

Edited by Keran Hoy for Reach Publishers

Cover designed by Reach Publishers

Website: www.reachpublishers.org

E-mail: [e-mail]

Mboniseni Vusumuzi Khumalo

[e-mail]

The 5 Pillars of an Effective Teacher by Mboniseni Vusumuzi Khumalo

Reading the works of two of my favourite authors I came across the following:

If you want to be a leader, the good news is that you can do it. Everyone has the potential, but it isn’t accomplished overnight. It requires perseverance. And you absolutely cannot ignore that becoming a leader is a process. Leadership doesn’t develop in a day. It takes a lifetime (Maxwell: 2010:139)

Everyone was created to have dominion over an area or specific territory of life that only he can govern. When you find the area or territory that you’re supposed to oversee, you will find the secret to your fulfilment in life and to your particular contribution to the human race. The territorial assignment is your authority (Munroe: 2011:61)

Comments about The 5 Pillars of an Effective Teacher

"I would like to extend my appreciation for the seed you sowed in my life in 1995. The way you had faith in me caused me to have faith in myself and since then I never looked back. Congratulations to you for The 5 Pillars of an Effective Teacher." - Cedric Mkhungo (Former Student)

"Thanks a lot Mbulazi. You have displayed to us that the state of one’s background does not determine the future. Your etiquette has been exemplary to us in the workplace and otherwise. We owe our status in society to you. You have taught us the art of listening and made us realise the importance of patience and love. You have taught us to respect every person without discrimination. You have guided many and mentored us to become the leaders we are today. May you continue doing incredible things so you touch many lives." - Armstrong Thandanani Ngcobo.

A great book by a great leader, motivator and influencer who pulled through against all odds, defying all barriers to share his experience and expertise. Without a shadow of doubt your shared knowledge will capacitate and benefit multitudes of educators which will benefit the education systems of the world. By sharing your knowledge with others, you are leaving behind a legacy which will be embraced by the future generations. - Nonhlanhla Govender.

Knowledge shared in the book will benchmark performance amongst educators. Views gathered here are of benefit to education systems globally. Congratulations. -Yekani Thwala.

Congratulations on successfully showcasing your skill of writing such an informative piece of work that indeed requires unique talent and dedication as you have portrayed.- Fatima Mkhize.

I have nothing but admiration and respect for anyone who can put pen to paper and succeed. I applaud you for having the discipline and energy necessary to map out and finish your writing project. I hope to see more of your work in future.- Yolanda Fuller.

Table of Contents

About the Author

Dedication

Acknowledgements

1. Pillar 1: Leadership: Administration, Management and related experience

2. Pillar 2: Organisational Ability and Experience

3. Pillar 3: Professional Development, Educational Experience and Insight

4. Pillar 4: Leadership: Community Related

5. Pillar 5: Personality and Human Relations

About the Author

Mboniseni Vusumuzi Sibanisezwe Khumalo has been in the teaching profession for 29 years. He has gone through the ranks of teacher, Departmental Head and Principal in different schools. He is currently working as English subject specialist based at the Department of Education, UGu District. Khumalo, a Minister of the Word of God at the EThekwini Community Church under Bishop Vusi Dube, has a deep passion for community development. Reverend Khumalo oversees House of Zion Community Church (HZCC) founded by his father Bishop Bhekabantu Khumalo. He is amongst the founders of Radio Sunny South, a community radio station in the lower south coast of KwaZulu-Natal, is founder and chairperson of Umzumbe Rural Development Organisation (URDO) located in the KZN South Coast and is the former Secretary of Umzumbe Municipality Non-Governmental Organisations Forum.

Mboniseni was once involved with the South Coast Herald, local newspaper in the south coast, as news contributor and Ugu Eyethu part-time sub-editor. He believes teachers young and old, institution and office based need to master skills in five areas if they want to be effective: Leadership: Administration, Management and related experience; Organisational Ability and Experience; Professional Development, Educational Experience and Insight; Leadership: Community Related; Personality and Human Relations.

Those are the five subjects he writes about and that’s why he thinks every teacher can become EFFECTIVE.

In this book, these five crucial areas are called the five pillars because they are the key features of an effective teacher. Similarly, these are the five pillars which are the focus point when the teacher applies for a post within the education department.

Should you wish to be coached by Mboniseni, for him to provide a workshop, or speak at conference kindly email him at [e-mail]

Dedication

To the teachers of all levels, whether school or office based. Colleagues, this is yours.

My wife Mabongi MaGasa for being my pillar of strength, for believing in me that this piece of writing was possible. Gratitude goes to my son Sluleko and daughter Lethokuhle for their words of encouragement. Late brother and mentor, Mbusiswa Blessing Khumalo, May his soul rest in eternal peace. Mbusiswa was my role model since I entered the teaching space. He is the one who in one of the departmental workshops, back in 1992, young as I was, put up his hand to propose my name to become a subject committee member at the time. Since then I have never looked back. Zinyane likaSikhonkwane, Mbulazi, Mzilikazi kaMashobane! You may be gone but never forgotten.

My late mother Qhamazani F. Khumalo

My father Bhekabantu M. Khumalo

My sister Vangeli F. Khumalo

Acknowledgements

I am very grateful that the Almighty God, Creator of Heaven and Earth, blessed me with the opportunity of making this dream a reality. I have always wanted to do this since childhood but did not know when and how it would happen. The content of this book has been a personal journey of discovery in the course of which I have met many people, encountered situations and circumstances. This book is the evidence of that reality.

The 5 Pillars of an Effective Teacher is a living testimony that it is possible to achieve one’s dream. I am doing this to encourage each and every person who has a dream to do something good. You can also do it. Just stick to what you believe in, develop a plan, discipline yourself and implement it. Your dream will definitely come true.

It is my sincere wish that the publication of this book will not only contribute to the continued growth of the theory in the educational space but will go a long way in assisting teaching and learning practice in South Africa and the world over.

Pillar 1: Leadership: Administration, Management and related experience

Seven roles of a good teacher-leader, administrator and manager

The seven roles are:

• Learning mediator

• Interpreter and designer of learning programmes and materials

• Leader, administrator and manager

• Scholar, researcher and lifelong learner

• Community, citizenship and pastoral role

• Assessor

• Learning area/subject discipline/phase specialist

Maxwell (2010) states that the qualities demonstrated by teacher leaders include but are not limited to: integrity, commitment, strong communication skills, expertise, courage, discernment, focus, generosity, initiative, passion, positive attitude, problem-solving abilities and responsibility.

A good teacher I believe maintains good humour and optimism for the task at hand. It’s inevitable that we will all encounter trials and tribulations in our lives. The following 4 characteristics are pivotal for a teaching career:

• Be a people person.

• Learn from your mistakes.

• Be confident.

• Consider your strengths.

It’s something to cherish that you want to take charge and make a mark to the institution you serve in particular and the society in general.

Teachers’ leadership roles

SGB representatives

Some years ago I was elected as School Governing Body member for a school where my daughter attended. Though reluctant, I decided to take up the responsibility for the sake of the education of my child. It is important for any teacher to participate in school governance matters provided they have been properly elected. In terms of the SA Schools Act membership of the governing body of a public school comprises amongst other categories educators at the school. It’s an ideal thing therefore that as an educator you either participate as ordinary member of the governing body or officer-bearer if they elect you to serve in that capacity. It must be noted however that educators are precluded from being elected as either chairperson or deputy chairperson of a public school governing body.

Union representatives

Section 23 of the Labour Relations Act states that every worker, including the educator, has the right to form and join a trade union, and to participate in the activities and programmes of a trade union. Some educators prefer to occupy the back seat when it comes to union activities. That’s not a good idea. Remember that you pay monthly subscription towards your union therefore have to be actively involved in the discussions affecting you directly. In the event you get elected as office-bearer to the union structure go for it. You will be surprised how much you learn in those structures.

Subject Cluster leaders

When I started teaching, there were subject committees for different subjects in the area where I was stationed. I started participating as a committee member for a couple of years. As I acquired more experience through mentorship and my colleagues became more confident in my capabilities, they trusted me with a chairperson’s portfolio in one of the committees. Subject committees or clusters have always been there. Participate in them. They are meant to develop