I am always interested in community based projects that inspire others to embrace who they are.
I was very privileged to be invited to CurlTalk by a fellow colleague I had met at a workshop. Although I had never thought about why I only started wearing my hair naturally curly from the age of 30 years old, the presentation I delivered had me reflecting on my own personal journey and how the media and society can make one feel as though who you are naturally is not good enough.
In my lectures, sharing these stories within a safe space for students to reflect on and inviting them to such community programs has help me to embrace a humanizing pedagogical approach, a culture of Ubuntu and community awareness.
As a facilitator of the Move-it Moving Matters physical education program I had the opportunity to work in township communities for three years. As the Nelson Mandela University and our Biokinetics Sport Science Unit is community orientated, our honours students joined me at schools to facilitate teachers with implementing the program. The exposure facilitated students in being aware of the community needs and providing support whilst learning. The culmination of the Move-it Moving Matters program included a GASP event in which talented children would compete against each other and be coached by professional coaches. Students had the opportunity to volunteer and share in the experience.
The Move-it Moving Matters program together with my Masters (which was conducted in a lower socio-economic community) were the two reasons I decided to focus my doctoral studies on investigating how Foundation Phase teachers' Fundamental Movement Skill Pedagogical Content Knowledge could be enriched.
As part of the South African University Physical Education Association (SAUPEA) physical education research project on the status of physical education within South Africa, giving back to schools that participate and who are in need of help is important.
Through collaborating with fellow colleague, Prof Cheryl Walter, in her PAsSPort to health has helped me give back to the community whilst engaging students in community projects. The PasSPort to health program created by Prof Walter enriches students' learning experiences through having to problem solve, generate funding and uplift the community through innovative projects.
The extension of my community involvement additionally includes organizing career counselors at selected SAUPEA schools for development of grade 8 and 12 students.