Pick a Spot and Sparkle

 

Those who walked the journey before us have a lot to say from their experiences.  In 2014, a new journey in my career started shortly after returning from the Science Centre World Summit in Belgium. I was there to share my experiences about the management and coordination of Science Centre activities. I happened to learn more than sharing. 

I came back and pick my spot in the ICT lab where I started training teachers on digital tools for learning.  My spot was finally made when I conceptualized the establishment of the Mpumalanga ICT CLUB through the Google Education Groups that I already initiated for teachers to learn some Google tools integration in the classroom. 

Together with Karabo Mashabela who was the Admin Clerk at the Centre at that time. We put together and presented the concept document to teachers to join Mpumalanga ICT CLUB, a Professional Learning Community to learn and share new classroom technologies. 

Our first initiative which attracted more than 150 teachers was "Microsoft Networking Session" where teachers learn more about Microsoft programmes in the classroom. The sessions were then followed by 60 teacher seminars were teachers themselves would share their best ICT practices in the classroom. 

The journey continued until I finally got to be introduced to Microsoft Youthspark where I had to learn how to Code on Minecraft Hour of Code. In 2016, shortly  after the schools closes for December holidays, we hosted grade 4 to 7 girls to celebrate the global initiative called Hour of Code.

In 2017, we officially launched the DigiGirlz initiative. The initiative is aimed at empowering young girls in Positive Personal Branding through career guidance towards STEM careers, connect girls with successful female in STEM careers and do hands on activities such as Coding on Scratch and Minecraft. We continue to empower these young girls in the club. Little did I know that one day I would again represent South Africa internationally,  that was in 2019 in France, Paris.

Yes, I picked a spot not to sparkle but to make others to continue to sparkle in every corner of the classroom.  When this happens,  all our schools will sparkle towards quality education.  This message was shared during the UJ Teacher Librarian Seminar held on the 20th October 2021 virtually on Zoom.