As indicated in my CV, I have started my education career within Special Education Learning Needs, which were part of mainstream education as separate classes in mainstream schools at that stage. After my first year of teaching, I qualified myself in a Further Diploma in Education for LSEN learners. After I completed my studies, I was involved in special class education for the next eleven years. Unfortunately, Special Class Education was phased out of mainstream schools and I went back to mainstream classes where I became first, part of the Senior Phase in the Junior School and later felt the urge to get more involved in Computer Based Education within all the school phases. I had been an educator at Hoërskool P.J. Olivier (Grahamstown) for twenty-eight years between 1988 and 2015. Between 1988 and 1997 I was in Special Class Education for the Junior Levels as well as Senior Levels. In 1991 I have been an Intermediate and Senior phase teacher and taught all subjects for these Grade, Afrikaans, Social Sciences, EMS, Technology Gr 5 and 6 as well as Mathematics Gr 7 and Gr 9. In 1999 I have chosen to change to the ICT field. Here I taught Information Literacy for the gr 1 up to Gr 9 and COMPUTER APPLICATION TECHNOLOGY Gr 10 -12. Here, I was solely responsible for the maintenance and organisation of our school’s computers and computer laboratories, as well as all administration (including examination requirements for the whole school) and computer-assisted learning within our curriculum. I fulfil this role with competence, efficiency and great enthusiasm. I have completed many courses in order to ensure that I fulfil my role and responsibilities optimally. Among these was a PC repairs course, which equipped me to confidently deal with any difficulties that might arise concerning the maintenance of the school’s computers. My position as the ICT educator also includes designing, publishing, uploading and updating the school’s webpage, brochures, sport programmes and advertisements, as well as any other creative design which may be required. The area of design is one in which I feel very confident as I possess excellent designing skills and enjoy a variety of design challenges and opportunities, including webpages, brochures, letterheads, posters, banners and Power Point presentations. In 2007, I was awarded second place in the Thinkquest contest, an International Webpage Design Competition held in South Africa. I was also a part-time lecturer at the East Cape Midlands College where I taught N4 and N5 Computer Practice to students. I obtained the necessary expertise to teach and administrate examinations at any level in the ICT field of education. In 2010 and 2011, I was nominated by the Department of Education to represent the Eastern Cape at the Microsoft Innovative Teachers Forum in Johannesburg. Sponsors for the event were Microsoft, Schoolnet and Microsoft Partners in Learning. I was chosen as one of twenty finalists for this reward. I was nominated twice for my projects in creating interactive lessons to encourage primary school learners. It is my passionate belief that the use of technology in education changes lives. I played a huge role in all key performance areas of the school regarding finance, budgeting, administering SASAMS (public schools Learning Management System) and I was also responsible for the school’s annual timetable. I liaised with Senior academic staff and Administrative staff and in 2014, I was promoted as Head of Department at Hoërskool PJ Olivier. I have the knowledge of policies and procedures related to the school’s curriculum and policies. I do have the ability to consistently implement policies, procedures and rules and meet deadlines. I am very self-disciplined in the ability to be proactive and plan my own work. In 2015, I was employed by St Andrews College as Head of Department: Information Technology. Here I played a huge role in all key performance areas of the integration of technology into education at St Andrews College. My main responsibility as Head of Department was to provide guidance on issues related to teaching and learning and to support content development and the integration of new technology into classes. As an example, I have been actively involved in implementing and providing electronic reading software for tests and examinations for learners who experienced barriers to learning. I firmly believe that all students can reach their full potential with computer assisted education. I have a passion for learners with specific learning barriers and I am consistently busy developing programmes in this field to help learners to overcome and improve their learning abilities. At St Andrews College I have gained immense experienced in different kinds of Learning Management Systems, such as “Pencilbox” and lately “SIMS” (These were used by the school and staff members). For the learners, I have implemented Edmodo and Google Classroom where learners could submit their assignments and tasks. I have the necessary experience within the teaching area of an ICT educator and/or lecturer as I have been successfully teaching Computer Application Technology and Programming up to Grade 12 for many years. I have also obtained the required ICDL-Certificate in 2002 and have since been training learners in this specific area of knowledge. I teach Computer Literacy classes from Gr R to Gr 7, and as a qualified ICDL-Trainer, I also train Gr. 8 and 9 learners to obtain this certificate. During this year I have joined an Online Home-school: TENEOSCHOOL. Here I have obtained even more experience in Learning Management systems suitable for Teachers, Learners and Parents. My career in Education provided me with the necessary communication skills to deal with people of varying ages and circumstances. It is these skills, combined with my knowledge of computers and my desire to improve school environments and the teaching and learning regarding learners in the Senior phase of a Junior School, (this is what I am qualified to teach). Having worked in almost all spheres within the educational environment, I feel the immense sense of satisfaction when I see the learner develop into a self-confident and self-sufficient individual reaching his or her full potential. Probably among my best memories of my career was to see Junior School Learners to blossom as successful individuals when they were guided with passion during their school career. For further information about myself, qualifications and career, I refer you to my CV and included certified documentation. I am immediately available and would be able to start in January 2020.I also have an excellent knowledge of the CAPS, IEB and SACAI curriculum at his stage. Furthermore, it would be a privilege to join your Christian community as I am a member of the Dutch Reformed Church in Grahamstown. I would love to participate fully in your co-curricular programme by maybe starting a coding or robotics club for the Junior School and/or be involved in squash, hockey and tennis as sport. I trust that you will consider my application favourably. Yours sincerely Erika Esterhuizen