Why PGCTHE?

I decided to enrol for this course since I do not have any formal teaching qualification. I have converted from engineering to teaching for good hence I found it prudent to learn the “tricks of the trade” too.

I do have some prior basic online learning experience through University of South Africa, with whom I completed an advanced certificate in management about six years ago. I found the experience to be challenging but the part I enjoyed the most was the flexibility it provided.

I bring my exuberance and “inexperience” (4 years and counting) to the group. I expect to learn a lot to make me a better educator. I hope the group and the facilitators would help me through this journey and keep me on the straight and narrow as I am known to go off at tangents every once in a while.

An intro

15 years ago had someone had told me that I would be teaching mathematics and pursuing it as a profession I would never have believed it. Yet here I am teaching various courses of mathematics along with other course in the field of mechanical engineering. If you want to know how, when and why it all happened then please read on.

In my pre university days I have worked as a butcher’s assistant, a locksmith’s assistant and a chef’s assistant. Then I got “promoted” and work as a photocopying machine technician for half a year.

And then the miracle happened!

I decided to join the Technikon Witwatersrand to pursue my studies. I found a job as a workshop foreman after completing my education in mechanical engineering and I was working for the South African government. During that time an opportunity arose when my employer had to conduct basic adult education courses for the rural populace. I volunteered to teach basic arithmetic and numeracy skills along with some other technical courses and, as the cliché goes, have never looked back.

 In 2006 I applied for a position at the Higher Colleges of Technology and joined their Dubai campus in July 2007. Since then it’s been four years and I have taught mathematics courses ranging from complex engineering mathematics to basic foundation maths. In between I have also taught some hands on practical courses for the Mechatronics students too.

On a personal front I am blessed with two lovely kids and an even lovelier wife. I love cooking, reading books especially on conspiracy theories and playing social squash.