Welcome to the riveting conclusion of our thought-provoking

Join us in this thought-provoking episode where our hosts sit

In this illuminating conversation, we delve into the pressing

Join hosts George and Wilnelie as they engage in a

Welcome

Presented by Stellenbosch University's Faculty of Education,

Staffroom Chatter - from our eyes to your ears.

Hosts: Wilnelie Niemand, Michaela Chetty & George Jonker

In the final episode of Season 2, our hosts discuss the learnings they gleaned from this season's deep dive on gender & sexuality in schools.

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Presented by Stellenbosch University's Faculty of Education, Staffroom Chatter aims to create the space for critical conversation between academics, experts and students. It exists to paint a clearer picture by analyzing the current South African education system.

Staffroom Chatter - from our eyes to your ears.

Hosts: Wilnelie Niemand, Michaela Chetty & George Jonker

Producer: Joshua Prinsloo

Annah is a queer high school teacher and this episode offers her perspective on gender/sexuality and an educational framework for accommodating the needs of queer individuals in schools.

Key Takeaways:

- Perceptions of queer teachers in schools (03:15)

- How Annah's queerness made her approachable to students (07:49)

- Ways to create more safe spaces for queer learners in schools (09:02)

- Should learners be exposed to sexuality at a young age? (14:00)

- How to deal with parents who don't agree with progressive worldviews (15:52)

- On sexuality in teacher training materials (18:33)

- On the future of gender & sexuality in South African schools (28:37)

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Presented by Stellenbosch University's Faculty of Education, Staffroom Chatter aims to create the space for critical conversation between academics, experts and students. It exists to paint a clearer picture by analyzing the current South African education system.

Staffroom Chatter - from our eyes to your ears.

Hosts: Wilnelie Niemand, Michaela Chetty & George Jonker

Producer: Joshua Prinsloo

This episode's guest is Dr Precious Simba, a lecturer in the department of education policy studies at Stellenbosch University. She holds a masters degree in gender & development from the University of Sussex and a PhD in education policy studies.

Key Takeaways:

- Definitions of gender, gender identity & sexuality (01:15)

- The influence of society on gender binaries (10:48)

- Current debates around gender identity in schools (14:42)

- The line between creating an inclusive space for learners while not alienating their parents (17:11)

- How to support non-binary children while holding contradictory personal beliefs (20:00)

- On the value of maintaining multiple beliefs simultaneously (25:04)

- On the value of divergent views in a democracy (26:21)

- On the future of inclusive environments for different gender identities (29:16)

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Presented by Stellenbosch University's Faculty of Education, Staffroom Chatter aims to create the space for critical conversation between academics, experts and students. It exists to paint a clearer picture by analyzing the current South African education system.

Staffroom Chatter - from our eyes to your ears.

Hosts: Wilnelie Niemand, Michaela Chetty & George Jonker

Producer: Joshua Prinsloo

Welcome to the first episode of season 2! In this episode, third year students Emma Bowers Swart and Rojee Ramjee talk about their experiences with gender and sexuality at schools.

Key Takeaways:

- Rojee's experience of teaching queer students during his practicals (01:45)

- How Emma approached sharing her sexual orientation with an inquisitive learner (03:01)

- On whether being queer is a choice one makes or not (04:46)

- On the socialization of gender and identity at schools (05:22)

- Teachers as neutral, non-judgmental role models (08:03)

- Emma's opinion of gender fluidity (10:29)

- Gender norms as social constructs (20:31)

- Teachers as a source of comfort and positive influence (21:59)

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Presented by Stellenbosch University's Faculty of Education, Staffroom Chatter aims to create the space for critical conversation between academics, experts and students. It exists to paint a clearer picture by analyzing the current South African education system.

Staffroom Chatter - from our eyes to your ears.

Hosts: Wilnelie Niemand, Michaela Chetty & George Jonker

Producer: Joshua Prinsloo

In this episode, teachers in training Rune Geldenhuys and Michaela Chetty, reflect on their experience having done their practicals - and the core learnings they carry with them going into the workforce. 

Key Takeaways:

- The importance of authenticity when teaching (04:01)

- why it helps your sense of wellness to be organized (04:28)

- on changing your personality (05:23)

- how to get the best break in the staffroom (08:13)

- lack of discipline as a result of domestic issues (09:07)

- ideas for introducing critical self-awareness to learners (11:58)

- the importance of being adaptable (13:20)

- on teaching yourself how to teach (16:29)

- the power of reading widely (18:14)

- the role of a teacher’s gender in the classroom (19:49)

- Michaela’s top tip (22:14)

- Rune’s top tip (23.02)

- on finding work-life balance (23:33)

"As teachers, we forget that we’re allowed to be calm and okay and easy and gentle…" Michaela Chetty

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Presented by Stellenbosch University's Faculty of Education, Staffroom Chatter aims to create the space for critical conversation between academics, experts and students. It exists to paint a clearer picture by analyzing the current South African education system.

Staffroom Chatter - from our eyes to your ears.

Hosts: Wilnelie Niemand, Michaela Chetty & George Jonker

Producer: Joshua Prinsloo

Lecturer and PhD candidate Shannon-Bishop Swart shares from her 21 years of experience teaching across four continents.

Key Takeaways:

- Shannon's teaching experience under non-ideal circumstances in India (01:33)

- Corporal punishment at schools in India (03:55)

- Maintaining discipline in oversubscribed classrooms (07:08)

- Creating a contract and classroom constitution with learners (07: 30)

- Voice level charts (08:45)

- Dealing with school administration (10:19)

- Building good relationships with HODs and fellow teachers (11:05)

- Keeping a journal as a tool for mental wellness (13:00)

- Entering a new, potentially difficult work environment as a young, less experienced teacher (15:00)

- Work-life balance: actively making time for your personal life (17:35)

- Shannon's teaching experience in the UK and France, when contrasted with that of SA (19:30)

"Create a contract with your learners and say to them, what do you expect from this class?" - Shannon Bishop-Swart.

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Presented by Stellenbosch University's Faculty of Education, Staffroom Chatter aims to create the space for critical conversation between academics, experts and students. It exists to paint a clearer picture by analyzing the current South African education system.

Staffroom Chatter - from our eyes to your ears.