Palesa is a PE teacher based in the east of Johannesburg, South Africa. She has completed the Premier Skills Physical Education training for teachers as well as the additional course to become a Premier Skills PE teacher trainer.

Palesa Ncubuka’ experience  
I am currently a PE teacher at Roseview Primary School, where I’ve been since 2018. In addition to teaching, I coach athletics and female soccer. I’m also involved in an afterschool program called BYSA (Brighter Youth in Sports and Arts). which consists of one hour of physical activities and one hour of dance, drama, and music.
 

What I love most about teaching PE and coaching football is the impact it has on my learners. The activities I do with them reassure me that sports can thrive in all schools, regardless of socio-economic factors. Many learners have hidden talents that just need practice, and teaching PE and coaching sports helps unleash those abilities. 

Through the Premier Skills Physical Education training programme, I have learned how to adapt my coaching to suit the needs of my participants, especially being sensitive towards female learners. I’ve also gained skills in developing basic ABCs both individually and in teams.

I have also learned that proper planning yields better results, so I now I thoroughly plan for my sessions. I've learnt that the most important thing is that my learners should be actively involved throughout the session and above all they should have fun! 

Since the training I've had more teachers and learners involved in PE teaching and coaching of various sporting codes. I’ve made the best use of the school’s facilities, such as the field and netball court, to deliver effective sessions. I made more time for PE and coaching and as a result, school attendance has increased. 

I've written letters to sponsors for help in terms of resources and I got positive responses. I now feel proud to be a role model not only to my learners but also to the community, as I keep my students physically active, healthy, and happy – they really enjoy these sessions.

The biggest change I’ve seen in my learners is that they now feel capable. Many learners who struggle academically excel in sports and perform really well during PE lessons, especially on the pitch. This is a result of the life changing experience I've had with Premier Skills.