A Pretoria teacher, Kay van Greunen, has captured the internet's attention for her innovative and heartfelt approach to teaching.
The 23-year-old, who recently completed her first year teaching Grade R at Bronkhorstspruit Primary School, went viral on TikTok after she shared a video showing her special connection with her students.
Known as "Miss Kay" to her learners, Van Greunen posted a video of a classroom game called “Hello Teacher, What’s My Name".
In the game, she guessed her pupils' names based solely on their voices, achieving a perfect score.
The video, intended as a personal keepsake of her first class, quickly resonated with viewers, garnering over four million views and more than 500,000 likes.
"This is my first class," she explained. "I thought to post this so I can always remember them."
@misskayxx ♬ original sound - Miss_Kay
Van Greunen sees teaching as more than academics. She focuses on fostering joy, love, and individual attention for each child.
Her philosophy centres on creating a classroom environment where every child feels heard and valued, which she believes is essential for their academic success.
Her journey as a first-year teacher was not without its challenges. Teaching in a school where most students speak Zulu or Tswana, Van Greunen, who is Afrikaans-speaking, initially found the language barrier overwhelming.
"It was overwhelming at first," she admitted.
Despite this, she made it her mission to connect with her pupils, using educational games and learning their languages to bridge the gap.
"For me, every child is unique, and I don't want them to change who they are," she told YOU magazine. "I had to show them that this is a place where I’m going to help them and learn from them too."
Her classes, conducted in English, cover language, math, and life skills. Central to her teaching approach is addressing the emotional well-being of her students and preparing them for life’s challenges.
“The key is to grow with them, showing them that life won’t always be easy. If you’re feeling bad or struggling, you need to put on your big pants and face the world," she explained.
Van Greunen’s dedication has deeply moved many parents, who have expressed their gratitude for her efforts to create a nurturing environment. She considers working with children a blessing, saying, “It’s such a blessing to teach them that they don’t have to change who they are."
@IreneDaSari_Food & Lifestyle: Pronunciation isn't even the point...she knows each child's voice....that's special
@Bohlokwa Ntsoane:Truly appreciate that she pronounced Bohlokwa correctly
@ohlokwa Motloung: I’m Bohlokwa too and my teachers never knew how to pronounce my name correctly. This is beautiful.
@cornelm1:Teacher spent the whole year with these kids and this goes to show that she has engaged with each and everyone of them. Bless you Teacher
@Neo: Tear jerker ! You’re so sweet with these babas.
Her video has not only shows her passion for teaching but also inspired countless viewers with her commitment to her students’ growth and happiness.
IOL Lifestyle