CPUT graduate Lisa Abrahams celebrates earning her Diploma in Grade R Teaching, hoping to use her lived experience as a Deaf educator to inspire the next generation of learners. A newly qualified educator who once navigated the challenges of deaf and mainstream schooling is now entering Cape Town classrooms with a clear mission: to inspire Deaf learners to “dream boldly and persevere”. Lisa Abrahams, who graduated with a Diploma in Grade R Teaching during CPUT’s Summer Graduation, says the achievement reflects “years of determination, resilience and passion”.
Abrahams’ schooling began at the Dominican School for Deaf Children, where she enrolled at age three, before moving to Immaculata Girls’ High School, where she matriculated in 2000.“It was extremely challenging, but it helped me improve my speech and learn how to socialise with the hearing world,” she recalls. Abrahams’ schooling began at the Dominican School for Deaf Children, where she enrolled at age three, before moving to Immaculata Girls’ High School, where she matriculated in 2000. “It was extremely challenging, but it helped me improve my speech and learn how to socialise with the hearing world,” she recalls.
She said her deaf identity and lived experience anchor her classroom approach.“I connect with deaf children in a way that hearing teachers sometimes cannot, they understand me better because I share their experiences and communicate naturally in sign language,” she explained. She said her deaf identity and lived experience anchor her classroom approach. “I connect with deaf children in a way that hearing teachers sometimes cannot, they understand me better because I share their experiences and communicate naturally in sign language,” she explained.
Read Full Article on Cape Argus
[paywall]
Energetic and creative, she incorporates sport and art into her lessons.“I am energetic and love sports and art, so I bring enthusiasm, creativity, and movement into the classroom, encouraging children to explore, participate, and express themselves,” she says. “Having been a learner in the same school, I know how important encouragement is, and I aim to inspire my students to be confident, active, and engaged in learning.” Energetic and creative, she incorporates sport and art into her lessons.
[/paywall]
