A caring teacher and nurturer
By Husna Dalwai
The fourth teacher to be profiled in our Teacher Feature series is Aisha Parker. Those who were privileged to be taught by her, will agree with Natasha Van Schoor’s assessment of Mrs Parker as having “So much empathy and kindness. She was naturally motherly and always made you feel safe.”
Aisha Parker attended St Augustine’s Primary in Parow and matriculated from Harold Cressy High School. Her initial ambition was to become a doctor, but, owing to financial constraints, she was forced to start working straight after matriculating. Her first job in the educational sector was as a secretary at Athlone High School where she relieved the late Veronica Williams. Veronica Williams eventually became the secretary at Livingstone High. After quite a few years at Athlone High, Mrs Parker decided to study to become a teacher; a big step in the late sixties, especially since she was married at the time. It is a step she has never regretted. While studying for her teaching degree at UCT, she took particular interest in Philosophy and Religious Studies and the way in which different religions were presented in the course. She also had to take Biblical Studies in order to graduate.
Her first job as a teacher was at Livingstone High in 1988 where she reconnected with Veronica Williams; a friendship that was steadfast and lasted until Veronica’s passing. Aisha Parker has many fond memories of Livingstone. They include connecting two classmates who then became best friends, and being presented with roses for helping an Afrikaans third language student pass. In 1991, Mrs Parker had two members in her class who refused to sit next to, or even near, each other. With gentle firmness, she insisted on seating them next to each other and, in time, they became best buddies in class. She recollects with a smile, that afterwards, she quite regretted placing them together. One year, one of the matriculants, who was doing Afrikaans as a third language, was not doing well. To assist her, Mrs Parker provided extra tuition after class and extra homework for her to practise over weekends. This matriculant eventually passed Afrikaans in her final examinations. She was so grateful for the extra time and encouragement Mrs Parker had given her, that she broke down in tears when collecting her results. She tearfully presented Mrs Parker with a beautiful bunch of roses. Caiphus Mooi attributes Aisha Parker “for being there for me through thick and thin.” Many would agree.
Mrs Parker’s contribution to the school is remarkable in that she went about her task of teaching Afrikaans by employing various learning strategies. She was always creative and enjoyed assisting her colleagues in organising events for the school. She retired from teaching in 2005, but returned as a substitute teacher at the school for the next two years. There is general agreement that it is on the personal level that she will mostly be remembered. She taught her students the value of being kind, compassionate and supportive. She demonstrated how to avoid or handle conflict and maintain relationships. Her impact at Livingstone, though often unnoticed because she went about her responsibility without fanfare or fuss, is great.
Aisha Parker – a caring teacher and nurturer.
A teacher who made such a positive impression on all those she taught....and with whom she worked.