Celebrating inspiring teacher Cathy Scruse on Teacher’s Day.

Cathy Scruse. (Image: Cadesia de Bruin).

Cathy Scruse, a beacon of energy at Welkom Preparatory School, marks a decade at Welkom Prep in 2025, inspiring colleagues and learners with her innovative approach to early childhood education.

She believes Grade R children thrive through play-based learning, ditching traditional ABCs for a modern "ah bah cah dah" method paired with movements like "a is for ants on my arm." "By learning letters with sounds and movements, the learners can spell before they write," she says with a smile. "The headmaster probably looks at cameras thinking, what’s wrong with this woman," she laughed at a workshop.

Cathy's creativity is not solitary – Grade 1 and 2 teachers transformed a drab grey wall into a colourful display of high-frequency words, brightening the playground and endorsing playful reading, making learning interactive and enjoyable.

Her workshops, like one for Welkom Grade R teachers last year, spark joy in classrooms. She also wishes to host a workshop towards the end of the year catering for homework class/aftercare teachers. “If everyone is on the same page, it will only benefit the child.”

Starting as a teaching assistant in 1994 at Flamingo Park Pre-Primary, Cathy's journey includes Bedelia Pre-Primary, St Dominic's, St Andrew's, and now Welkom Prep.

On World Teachers’ Day, celebrated on 5 October, we honour Cathy and teachers like her. Her approach proves learning is most vibrant when led with heart. Her interactive lessons inspire learners to think, "hey, reading is fun."

To the teachers who are compassionate with parents, understanding and patient with diverse learners – we at Uplift Media News salute you! Make sure you let your teacher know you appreciate them.