Meet Our Leaders

As mom to two young children, I sought a fulfilling career challenge. In 2012, I began teaching Conversational Afrikaans classes from home, initially with my son and 2 friends. Within 3 months, we grew to 90 students – a remarkable start that exceeded all expectations. I’ve been in the coaching, training, and education space for the past 30 years. I am married to a true family man who works in 3D animation and LOVES paddling the ocean on his surf ski.

Our beautiful children are now grown, working adults – our daughter is a medical doctor and our son a kick-ass broker.

About my free time:

You will catch me dancing on the Zumba floor, sweating at a hard cardio work-out, boxing in the studio, rock painting with friends, exploring a new restaurant, visiting a new country, meeting new people and my favorite, just hanging with my family.

FUN FACTS:

• I completed a lifesaving course, but I am the first to run away when I see a drop of blood.
• 50% of people I meet get invited to my Zumba classes.
• I love leading/supporting from the back, yet I always find myself being chosen for some sort of class rep leadership position.

My leadership approach prioritizes individual value, focusing on solutions that benefit the child. Recognizing the stress associated with academic performance, I emphasize prompt responses and adaptability. I’m a proactive problem-solver, creating new initiatives as needed.

Examples include:

• Online learning tribes during Covid-19
• Developed an Afrikaans reading program called Lekker Lees
• Launched HOME HEROES for students schooling from home
• Created custom Afrikaans exam packs
• Developed concise primary and high school Afrikaans manuals
• Ongoing: Researching diverse curricula to provide tailored support

I’m a mom with a married son currently working at Toronto University, Canada. I am married to a very busy and energetic husband. I’ve been tutoring Grade 8-12 Afrikaans for the past 6 years, with Grade 11 and 12 being MY TRUE PASSION.

I love the literature and prescribed books, having worked with students from various schools including Academy of things, Bishops, Cedar House, Epworth, Fish Hoek Primary, Fish Hoek High, Herschel, Milnerton, Paarl Hoër Meisieskool, Paul Roos, Pinelands, Reddam, Rhenish, Rondebosch, Rustenburg, Silvermine Academy, Sun Valley, Sweet Valley, Teneo Online, UCT Online, Waldorf, Westerford, Wynberg Boys, Wynberg Girls and several home schoolers. I love my Afrikaans culture and language, aiming to make a positive impact so students enjoy the language and thrive.

About my free time:

My main hobby is swimming – I’d swim 24/7 if I could. I also enjoy long hikes along the Breede River and Witsand beach, cycling on the farm dirt roads around us, sewing and baking sourdough bread – my new passion.

FUN FACT:

I’ve ushered away two snakes in one month… despite being terrified of them!

A few words from Christa: Maddi is my right hand, tutoring around 18 students weekly, connecting with each uniquely. She excels with any curriculum and contributed significantly to our Chit-Chat Grade 8-12 Afrikaans CAPS and IEB work packs. Maddi regularly tackles matric poetry and books, developing our intellectual property. She’s fun, loved by students, and achieves remarkable results. I often see her students’ marks GO UP AMAZINGLY, with them admitting they’re enjoying Afrikaans. I trust few as much as Maddi.

I am a teacher with 4 years of teaching experience in a school environment as well as 13 years of tutoring experience. I tutor 28 individual lessons online, on a weekly basis. My subjects are gr7-12 Afrikaans, English and CAT.

I have experience working with children with dyslexia, more specifically in the classroom environment. I have helped them go from failing Afrikaans to passing it.

I am married to a man who loves farming and can’t sit still for more than 5 minutes. We live on a farm in Prieska in the Northen Cape, and we mainly work with livestock – where I chase cows around daily – it is a great stress reliever. I grew up on a vineyard farm in the Western Cape.

I am a hardworking, soft hearted, loyal individual that always gives it my all. I like taking the creative and practical route when it comes to teaching and learning. I am direct and honest, I don’t cut corners and I would rather take longer on one subject at a time until everything is understood.

About my free time:

I love to read and telling a story is my forte. I also enjoy crocheting, working on the farm or playing around with my 3D printer

FUN FACT:

Even though I grew up on a vineyard farm….. I still don’t even drink wine.

A few words from Christa: Alana is an absolute world-class tutor with CAPACITY. She gets those marks up in record time! She is DYNAMIC.