Eighteen Years, TABSA Teaches 6000 Teachers
August 2018 - First Car Rental is the proud transport sponsor for Teachers Across Borders Southern Africa (TABSA). In June and July this year, TABSA held three week-long workshops in the Free State, which were attended by 380 educators from rural schools.
Teachers Across Borders South Africa is a non-profit, volunteer-based organisation that works towards assisting teachers in their professional development.
As part of its CSR portfolio, First Car Rental sponsors all TABSA Teacher Training transport in SA.
Says Yunus Peer, "In 18 years, 6000 South African teachers have attended our workshops, directly advancing the education of over a million students in rural South African schools.
More than 200 US maths and science teachers have volunteered their expertise, time, and love in this effort since 2001. Our 2018 US team was outstanding! I am grateful to the families, churches, schools, and friends who supported us in this effort.
Some of our TABSA team this year are veterans of past projects, such as our Senior Mathematics Captain, Jim Metz, who has completed over 55 TABSA workshop weeks; while others, such as Intermediate Science teacher, Jami Muranaka, and Senior Science teacher, Gillian Curran, were with the team in South Africa for the first time."
Our local colleagues welcomed TABSA with tremendous warmth and enthusiasm, through the ups and downs of a learning process, these workshops have been challenging and rewarding for each and all of us."
TABSA conducts hands-on, interactive workshops that are focused on utilising the limited resources available to them.
By connecting experienced teachers from the United States with those working in rural communities in South Africa, TABSA shares teaching strategies and lessons designed to encourage active, hands-on learning in schools that are without easy access to high-tech resources.
In addition to the lesson plans, TABSA compiles a DVD containing a library of grade-appropriate, CAPS-relevant maths and science resources. Every year, over 1000 of these DVDs are handed out for free.
In July 2018, TABSA also met with community leaders of Thaba Nchu, a rural community outside Bloemfontein. TABSA will be providing laptops, donated by Iolani School, to graduating high school students who have been accepted into university, as well as providing school uniforms and a supply of sanitary pads to rural schools.
First Car Rental applauds the teachers participating in this workshop and wishes TABSA all success.