**Mentor-Teacher Activities & Weekly Journals: Teaching Insights**

Certainly! Here’s an imaginative and realistic response that covers all your points for UNISA teaching practice at William Pescod Secondary. You can adapt it if you’d like to add specifics. --- ## QUESTION 4: MENTOR-TEACHER ACTIVITIES (10 MARKS) ### Activity 1: Meetings and Duties **Meeting** - **What meeting did you attend?** I attended a Senior Phase Departmental Meeting. - **What was it called?** Senior Phase English Department Planning Meeting. - **When did it take place? (date and time)** 11 March 2024, from 14:30 to 15:30. - **Who were the participants at the meeting?** The English Department teachers for grades 8-12, including Ms Johnson (my mentor-teacher), Mr. van der Merwe, Ms. Nkosi, and Ms. Seedat. - **Who chaired the meeting?** Ms Johnson, as Head of English. - **What was discussed?** The meeting focused on the upcoming Term 2 syllabus coverage, common assessment tasks, moderation deadlines, and discussion of strategies to support struggling learners. There was also discussion about extramural activities, such as debate competitions. - **How often do these meetings take place?** Once every two weeks. - **What did you learn from attending the meeting, that has helped you to develop as a teacher or that you can use in your teaching practise?** Attending the meeting helped me understand the importance of collaboration and communication among staff to ensure consistency in teaching and assessment. I learned how curriculum planning is adjusted according to learners’ progress, and the value of sharing strategies and resources for individualized learner support. This has taught me to be flexible and collaborative in my approach, and I now see how teamwork enhances overall teaching effectiveness. --- **Duty** - **What duty did you perform with your mentor-teacher?** I supervised break duty in the school courtyard with Ms Johnson. - **When (date and time)** 14 March 2024, from 10:30 to 10:50. - **Did your mentor-teacher sign a registration form to confirm that they had performed this duty?** Yes, Ms Johnson signed the duty register. - **What did you/your mentor-teacher have to do in order to perform this duty?** We patrolled the school courtyard, monitored learners’ behaviour, ensured everyone felt safe, and intervened in minor disputes. We also checked that all learners remained within designated areas and weren’t involved in any bullying or unsafe activities. - **How often must your mentor-teacher do this duty?** Twice a week. - **Why is it important that a teacher performs this duty?** Break duty is vital for maintaining discipline, safety, and a positive school environment. It also allows teachers to build rapport with learners outside the classroom and to quickly address problems before they escalate. Additionally, teachers model respect and responsibility, reinforcing school values in informal settings. --- ### Activity 2: Roles of Teachers (Ms Johnson helped compile the following list of her other roles) #### Week 1: - Member of the School Discipline Committee (meetings with learners and parents) - Collecting R5 contributions for class fundraiser #### Week 2: - Coordinating the school debating team (organizing practice sessions and competitions) - Supervising after-school homework club (Wednesday afternoons) #### Week 3: - Updating attendance registers and late submission forms - Serving as staff liaison for the counselling program with the Life Orientation Department #### Week 4: - Organizing English poetry reading event (liaising with local authors) - Phoning and emailing parents regarding learner progress #### Week 5: - Assisting with examination invigilation scheduling - Helping the administrative office distribute letters and newsletters --- ## QUESTION 5: WEEKLY JOURNALS (5 Marks) My five weeks of teaching practice at William Pescod Secondary have been a period of incredible growth, learning, and self-discovery. One of the highlights was collaborating with Ms Johnson on the debating club, where I saw firsthand how extracurricular activities kindle learners' confidence and critical thinking. Supervising break duty gave me new insight into the pastoral role of teachers. I learned to approach learners with empathy, helping to mediate small conflicts and creating a safe, supportive atmosphere. I also encountered several challenges. With counselling duties, I realized that some learners face serious emotional and social difficulties. I often had to listen attentively and support them, which stretched my sense of responsibility beyond the classroom’s walls. Additionally, lesson planning and adjusting my teaching style for different ability groups was demanding but taught me resilience and adaptability. Overall, these five weeks have reinforced my passion for teaching. I’ve learned that teaching is not only about presenting content but also about building relationships, fostering holistic development, and working closely with colleagues to nurture learners. The mentorship and practical experience I have gained will guide me as I continue my journey into the teaching profession.