The classroom was not much to look at, with its cracked windows and a handful of posters – some torn and faded – plastered onto the walls. But 27-year-old Sarah Makhetloane from Lufhereng, Soweto, was determined to transform it into an inspiring learning space for her Grade 4 and 5 pupils.
“I try to bring warmth through stories, song and love – but I know in my heart that they deserve more,” said Sarah. “They deserve to learn in a space that reflects their potential, a space filled with colour, hope and dignity.”
Sarah, who teaches about 180 primary school pupils, turned to Temu, the global e-commerce platform, and found a wide variety of vibrant cartoon stickers, bright posters and motivational stamps that she could use to spruce up her classroom.
When she was exploring the platform for classroom supplies, Sarah said affordability and functionality were key factors as the purchase would be coming out of her own pocket. “I considered durability, learner safety, functionality, and of course affordability. I also wanted products that could be reused in creative ways across different subjects,” she said.
Previously, Sarah used golden star stickers bought from elsewhere to motivate her students who were top achievers. But she realized that such a reward system did not recognize other learners who perhaps only saw incremental improvements in their work.
She said that the new motivational stamps she bought, which carry messages like “Keep trying!” and “Well done!”, allow her to encourage a wider range of students’ efforts.
“The stamps promote inclusivity and fairness,” Sarah said. “Even learners who struggle now feel acknowledged for their effort, and that makes all the difference.”
The reading corner in her classroom has also undergone a transformation with bright posters and decorative stickers, turning it into a warm, welcoming space where learners feel inspired to read and participate.
Sarah hopes the additions to the classroom will make an impact on her students.
“Most of our learners come to class with limited resources, but they’re full of hope,” she said, adding that some of her students lack proper shoes or uniforms.
“As teachers, we have to meet that hope with creativity and encouragement,” she said.
The post How Temu Helped a Soweto Teacher Bring Warmth and Hope to Her Classroom appeared first on The Home Of Great South African News.
The classroom was not much to look at, with its cracked windows and a handful of posters – some torn and faded
The post How Temu Helped a Soweto Teacher Bring Warmth and Hope to Her Classroom appeared first on The Home Of Great South African News. Read More
