Philip van Niekerk

Dedicated English Teacher committed to fostering a nurturing and stimulating classroom environment to enhance student literacy and critical thinking skills. Employs a diverse array of instructional strategies tailored to the unique needs of each student, ensuring a dynamic and engaging learning experience. Adept at leading in-depth discussions and interactive lectures that encourage analytical thinking and a deeper appreciation for literature. Demonstrates a strong track record of surpassing educational standards and contributing to the academic growth of students.

• Date of Birth: 06/1989
• Nationality: South African

• Cambridge Teaching and Learning
• AP English Literature
• Universal Design for Learning

• Badminton Club

Active Member/Coach: Engaged as an active member of the school's Badminton Club, playing a key role in coaching and strategizing sessions to improve student gameplay and sportsmanship.

Peer Collaboration: Collaborated with fellow coaches to devise training programs that enhanced students' physical fitness, technical skills, and understanding of badminton rules and etiquette.

Student Mentorship: Provided one-on-one mentorship to students showing particular interest or talent, offering additional support to help them achieve personal and competitive goals.

• School Journalism Club

Faculty Advisor: Revitalized the School Journalism Club, leading to a significant uptick in engagement by introducing modern digital journalism techniques and platforms.
Curriculum Integration: Successfully collaborated with the English and Social Studies departments to embed journalistic writing projects into their syllabi, which sharpened student research and analytical writing abilities.
Editorial Leadership: Directed the end-to-end production process of the school's quarterly newspaper, mentoring students in areas ranging from writing and editing to layout design and distribution.
Achievement Cultivation: Actively mentored and supported students in submitting their work to reputable journalism contests, leading to state and national accolades, including a distinguished award for outstanding feature writing.

• Public Speaking / TED Club

Founder and Facilitator: Established the school’s first Public Speaking/TED Club to empower students to articulate their ideas effectively and with confidence.
Workshop Development: Designed and delivered workshops on public speaking, critical thinking, and presentation skills, which significantly improved students' communication abilities.
Event Coordination: Organized events, providing a platform for students to showcase their ideas and talents to the community.
Student Achievement: Coached multiple students to develop their public speaking skills.
Leadership and Mentorship: Encouraged and trained students to take on leadership roles within the club, promoting a culture of student ownership and continuous learning.