Good day future teachers!

This is my first blog, I am a little scared and uncertain but here goes nothing!

My name is Melissa Reyneke, I am 24 years young and from a small-town called Klerksdorp in the North-West province. On the 2^nd of November I will be married for 3 years to my high school sweetheart- Jaco. Together we own a fur-baby called “Snowy”. I am a foundation-phase distance student at the North-West University. I have to say what a journey it has been! We are the “pandemic students” of the decade! We need an applause... we don’t have it easy! It has been a rollercoaster ride, but this is only preparing us for what still is to come.

I want to be a foundation phase teacher because I believe it is my calling and not a career. Since high school I knew I wanted to be a part of little children’s lives, but unfortunately due to financial issues I could not go to university. At that stage I went to a beauty college because it was more of an affordable option for my parents. Anything I do - I do to the best of my abilities and with that being said I was one of the best known beauty therapists in my town BUT I was never fulfilled. Last year I got the opportunity to follow my dream to study at the NWU and since then I never looked back! I am so happy and when you love what you do it will never feel like work and that reflects in every semester report I got. There is hope for everyone...I did not know anyone due to my age and I also did not know what e-fundi was!  I had to do a lot of “group assignments” alone due to lack of confidence. I had to step out of my comfort zone and made such great friends during the last year.

I am passionate about mental and physical health - being diagnosed with Anxiety and IBS, I believe that is important to take good care of your mind, body and soul! I prefer to go on long walks everyday and to exercise regularly, I call it “me time”. I am religious and am always happy to talk about my faith.

I am excited to learn more about music because I know nothing (sorry Mrs. Rina Francis) bear with me I am teachable. I love music but my husband prefers that I do not sing. My expectations for this module are to learn how to read notes and how music plays a role in educating young children. I hope that this module will teach me how to incorporate music in my classroom. I believe it must be an enjoyable activity but that my learners are still gaining knowledge while having fun.

I am looking forward to another great semester and blogging with all of you wonderful people.