Despite officially retiring in September after more than four decades of teaching, Bertram High head of English Eugene Snayer has opted to stay on and help her pupils prepare for their final exams.
Snayer, who turned 65 on September 12, said she had no choice but to retire as the “system would kick me out”.
But, she says, that has not diminished her passion for moulding young minds, and her wish is to see her last matric class pass their final exams. .
“I opted to stay on until Friday merely because I was teaching two grade 12 classes and wanted to use the two weeks before the start of finals to give them that extra push,” Snayer said.
Snayer, who started her career during a volatile period in SA history, said it was the experiences of her early teaching years that remained treasured memories for her.
Snayer grew up and went to school in Kirkwood, and received her teaching certificate and diploma from Dower College. She started at her first post at Die Heuwel Primary School in Hillside during 1976.
“I remember standing in front of a classroom door and watching students marching at Dower College,” she said.
In 1983 Snayer was one of the pioneering members when Westville Secondary School in Bethelsdorp reopened. She taught there until 1986, and then accepted a post in 1987 at Bertram High, where she remained for 34 years.
While teaching at Bertram, Snayer went on to obtain a BA in English and education from Nelson Mandela University and at the time of her retirement was the head of the English department.
Asked where she got her inspiration and motivation to teach, Snayer said she had learnt to read and write before starting school and that her mother, “a strict disciplinarian educator”, had inspired her.
“Teaching is my passion. I want to be on the stage where I can be the actress when I start teaching my kids.
“I am very passionate about my job and have had so many memorable moments,” she said.
After 45 years of teaching, Snayer said what she would miss the most was the interaction with her pupils.
“I would never have thrived working in an office,” she said.
The mother of four said she had no regrets about the past and looked forward to “a new season” in her life where she would continue working for the department of education as a national examiner for English, a post she has held since 2017.
“What I want to leave behind for pupils is to remember to set goals, prioritise and balance in your life.
“Know yourself and your maker and live your life with pride and much love,” she said.
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