Overstrand Learning Hub logo

Goodbye to our oldest tutor.

It was a sad day for everyone at OLH when Monica van Heerden announced her decision to retire as a tutor. Her vast subject knowledge and her empathy with her students are impressive to say the least, but above all, Monica is known for her insistence on both students and tutors asking the essential questions who, what, when, where, why and how that ultimately lead to the development of the critical thinking skills that are necessary not just for success in tertiary education, but in life.
Monica van Heerden

By Doss Southey (OLH Tutor BA HED):

From babyhood, Monica van Heerden knew she wanted to teach. Whenever she and her friends played imaginary games with their dolls, Monica always elected to be the teacher. 

The fact that her mother was a primary school teacher and that she was fortunate enough to be exposed to excellent teaching during her school career in the eastern Free State fuelled this ambition.

Monica’s impressive curriculum vitae bears testimony to her passion for teaching. She completed her first degree, BA HED, at the University of the Orange Free State. 

Later, she enrolled for a Master’s Degree in Creative Writing at Stellenbosch University and much later went on to complete her PhD at the University of the Western Cape, where she was teaching post graduate students. A highlight of her teaching career was the six years she spent teaching creative writing at Dahe University in Taiwan.

Over the past three years, the students at the Overstrand Learning Hub have been lucky enough to have been mentored by Monica and to benefit from her vast teaching experience - over 30 years in tertiary education. She has made it her mission to instil in her students the importance of asking questions: the five-finger questions - who, what, when, where, and most importantly why – and as she is quick to point out, there is also a sixth one: how. 

In her interaction with her students, she has demonstrated that not only is questioning a key element in any learning process, it is also an important teaching tool as it stimulates interest and encourages active participation. It is the backbone to critical thinking, a vital life skill. 

Monica’s questioning fervour has clearly left a lasting impression: one of her students confided that whenever she is studying, she has this sense of Monica, rather like Banquo’s ghost, sitting on her shoulder, her arm outstretched, with her five fingers splayed over the text.

Monica has thoroughly enjoyed her interaction with the students at the Hub. It has been a privilege for her to connect with people from different cultures and backgrounds as it has enabled them to learn with and from one another. 

She feels her life has been enriched by this relationship as she has a better understanding of the challenges the students face in studying online, and feels great respect for the way in which they deal with these challenges.

Although Monica has retired from the Hub, it does not mean she has retired from teaching. With five of her previous pupils having had their work published, she plans to continue to share her expertise by offering creative writing classes from her home. 

Monica herself has published a novel and last year, an anthology of poetry. Clearly her age (and Monica says she is very old) is no barrier to her leading an engaged life. She has shown what can be achieved if you apply your mind, your talents and creativity, not only to your own life but to the lives of your students.

Back to our Blog
Overstrand Learning Hub logo
+27 63 2260 090
contact@thelearninghub.co.za
65 Main Rd, Hermanus, 7200
Copyright © 2024 The Overstrand Learning Hub
Website by Cetaya Digital
envelopephone-handsetmap-marker linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram