# data[].attributes.body
My name is Fatimah Karriem, and I have a strong passion for pursuing teaching as my career. I found my calling at the beginning of 2021 when I began working as a teacher's assistant for Grade 1's. I enjoyed interacting with, reading and learning from them. They inspired me to switch from political science to education.

# data[].attributes.body
Working with Excel has been an efficient way of keeping attendance, students' grade averages, tracking their progress, creating schedules, and managing classroom inventory. As a teacher's assistant, I have created class lists, budget lists and have to update students' marks. I have also assisted teachers with creating and updating their schedules and timetables using Excel.

# data[].attributes.body
My teaching practice (25 April - 06 May 2022) was at Turfhall Primary School, located in the urban middle-class area of Penlyn Estate in the Southern Suburbs of Cape Town. Turfhall Primary School has been operating for 45 years and has approximately 1125 learners, 33 teachers and 7 teachers’ assistants (1 for each grade). The number of learners at the school has remained consistent throughout the years. The school prides itself on excellent education and strives to ensure they have qualified, experienced, motivated and diligent teachers.

# data[].attributes.body
Whether we are conscience to it or not, the social sciences continue to impact our lives directly and indirectly daily. Social science devotes itself to documenting knowledge and information about our ongoing growth, impact and evolution in society. Inherently, social science acts as a catalyst for addressing controversial topics and advocating pressing societal challenges. The social sciences are not one dimensional and require in-depth thinking to understand and process social concepts.

# data[].attributes.body
I enjoy incorporating learning resources to adapt them to propel each learner's style by catering to the kinesthetic, visual, auditory, and read and write learners in the classroom. However, usually, I cater to all the learning styles to encourage the learners to experience different learning styles from theirs. Consequently, the resources tailor around the content and the specific class to express concepts better for the students to grasp. By utilizing resources in the period, the students will be more at ease, excited, and receptive to learning.

# data[].attributes.body
Being a Teachers' Assistant exposed me to numerous incidents that required me to reflect and use my problem-solving skills to make an informed decision. These situations allowed me to consider my options to determine possible outcomes. Reflecting on my personal experiences made me realize the importance of having ongoing critical awareness because it allowed me to evaluate myself in terms of strengths and weaknesses. Afrikaans is often a subject learners struggle with and feel demotivated. However, I always try to get them excited and engaged by incorporating gamification into my lesson with leadership boards for each row in the class. Consequently, this motivates and encourages them to try and positively reinforces them to make mistakes and learn from them.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Karriem, 21000124, 1.3 Jy is aan die woord

# data[].attributes.body
One of my duties as a teacher's assistant was to take the Grade 1's for reading. I had to monitor their progress (on their reading cards) and provide feedback to the student and their respective teachers. I enjoy being part of their journey by actively encouraging and engaging with them. It is the most rewarding watching them learn from their mistakes and succeed.

# data[].attributes.body
The philosophies of social reconstructionism, progressivism, and existentialism perfectly encompass my belief because they are student-centred, focusing on individuality and assisting students in realizing their full potential. Essentially, I always considered myself a free thinker who likes to incorporate various aspects and experiences into what I do. As a teacher, I would present my students with various activities to stimulate them to formulate their opinions and ideas on the topic. I would want my students to be active participants in the classroom and encourage them to question what they are learning and myself. Ideally, I think this would create a stimulus to help them retain the subject matter by relating to the work and the world.