Global Teachers Institute (GTi) and in collaboration with Squaring the Education Pyramid Institute STEPi hosted a successful workshop designed to empower teachers and parents. Picture Credit Supplied
By Thulane Madalane
Jane Furse – In a heartening initiative aimed at strengthening the educational ecosystem, the Global Teacher Institute (GTi), in partnership with Squaring the Education Pyramid Institute nstitute (STEPi), recently held a transformative workshop at the Jane Furse Leap Science & Maths School in Limpopo. The session was specifically designed to empower teachers and parents, equipping them with strategies to work together more effectively in nurturing and developing children with “warm love.”
Education is often viewed through the lens of curriculum, assessments, and results. However, behind every successful learner is a network of support—one that ideally includes both dedicated educators and engaged families. Recognizing this, GTi’s workshop focused on building bridges between these two critical pillars of a child’s development.
Thabelo Nematangari, the Limpopo coordinator of GTi, highlighted a poignant reality faced by many educators. “Teaching is a lonely career,” Nematangari noted, “and our teachers are expected to produce results sometimes under adverse conditions without any form of coordinated support. As GTi, we are here to support teachers and encourage teacher-parent relationships, which are meant to empower the learner in the main.”
This statement underscores a widespread challenge in the education sector. Teachers frequently operate in isolation, grappling with immense pressure to deliver academic outcomes, often without adequate systemic or community backing. The adverse conditions—whether limited resources, overcrowded classrooms, or socio-economic hurdles—can make their roles even more daunting.
The workshop in Jane Furse sought to change that narrative by fostering collaboration. By bringing teachers and parents into the same room, the program facilitated open dialogue, shared goals, and mutual understanding. Participants explored practical ways to communicate consistently, align efforts at home and in the classroom, and create a consistent environment of encouragement and warmth for children.
The partnership with STEPi added further depth to the initiative, leveraging organizational expertise to create a structured, impactful experience. Together, GTi and STEPi are championing a model where education is seen not as a solitary effort but as a community endeavor.
For the parents and teachers of Jane Furse, the workshop was more than just a training session—it was a step toward a more united, compassionate approach to raising and teaching the next generation. As one attendee remarked, “When teachers and parents work as a team, the child doesn’t just learn—they thrive.”
In a time when educational challenges are complex and multifaceted, the Jane Furse workshop stands as a beacon of hope. It reminds us that by nurturing teacher-parent partnerships, we don’t just improve results—we build stronger, more supportive communities where every child can feel valued and empowered to succeed.r current level instead of fighting it.
