Retired teacher takes struggling pupils under her wing

A retired Bethelsdorp schoolteacher refuses to put down her chalk and has instead taken a group of pupils under her wing.

Margaret Meyer, 65, gives extra classes to nine children in the area who struggle with their academics.

She does this from a garage and a room at her home.

And she can empathise with these pupils, showing them extra patience, because she knows exactly what it feels like to struggle. 

In a story of endurance and sheer determination, Meyer, who officially retired in 2024, eventually acquired her matric certificate after failing the grade twice.

She also previously failed her grade 11 year.

“My childhood was bitter as I lost both my parents when I was still an infant. I grew up hard.

“But I always wanted to become successful in life.”

She said after failing matric a second time, she went to work in a factory for a couple of years as a quality controller.

In-between, she did short courses which eventually enabled her to obtain her matric.

“I completed my Early Childhood Development qualification, and in 1997, I started a crèche at home.”

In 2002, she landed her first proper teaching role at Strelitzia in Kariega as a preschool teacher.

Then, in 2008, her big break came as a mainstream teacher at Dietrich Primary in Schauderville.

“I began teaching grade 3, and later grade 2.”

Meyer said while many looked forward to retirement, it was a sad day for her.

She said the 16 years she taught were some of the best of her life.

“The relationship I had with my colleagues was extraordinary, but it is the bonds I built with the children that I will always cherish.”

She said after stepping out of the formal classroom for the last time, she felt anything but fulfilled and quickly realised her journey was not yet over.

Soon after that, she found herself giving extra lessons to pupils who struggled to read and write.

“At nearly 66 years old, I felt I still had not reached my destination in teaching. That is why I started these classes.

“There are so many children who need extra help and encouragement.

“My dream is to eventually have bigger premises so that I can help more children. They are so eager to learn and are punctual every day.

“It is very frustrating when one cannot read, and it is something even matric pupils struggle with.

“My advice to youngsters is to never give up. Despite my circumstances, I rose beyond it. One just has to persist.

“I never accepted failure,” Meyer said.

The Herald