Arefa Haffejee

Devoted, creative, and forward-thinking Educator and Leader with progressive years and a strong background in teaching, administration, curriculum, and instruction. Reputation as an extraordinary instructional leader, supporting the development of staff members and enhancing student engagement. Effective classroom management skills and the ability to engage students through creative lesson plans. Track record of lessons and curricula developed using effective and efficient methods of teaching while focusing on the individual needs of each student. Tech-savvy; able to use modern technological resources to enhance curricula; demonstrate a high level of creativity in teaching students both online and in person. Excellent planner, motivator, and decision-maker. Dedicated to promoting a school climate and culture conducive to student learning and teaching excellence.

• Leadership, management, oral, written communication, and interpersonal skills. Strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize workload with strict attention to detail, handle time constraints, and adapt to changing needs and demands of services.
• Easy integration in an international and intercultural environment with a unique combination of goal and detailed-oriented mindset, driven personality, and analytical skills.
• Highly flexible and adaptable performer, dexterous at multi-tasking, and thriving in a fast-paced environment while coordinating numerous time-sensitive projects.
• Detail-oriented with a proven ability to demonstrate flawless execution of innovative strategies. A roll-up your sleeves mentality, a can-do attitude, and a strong work ethic.

2011 – Present                                     Department of Education (Pitlochry Senior Primary School)

Acting Head of Department / Educator (2021 – Present)

Phase Grade: 4 – 7; Subjects: Math, English, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, and Life Skills.

• Responsible for planning, target setting, and ensuring accountability amongst teachers; organizing, coordinating, tracking, reporting, and mentoring teachers in the Humanities Department.
• Analyze department policy documents to ensure the effective functioning of the department. Involved in timetabling, exam preparation, supervision, and discipline. 
• Monitor and track curriculum coverage in Social Sciences, Life Skills, Creative Arts, and EMS across the school. 
• Mentor teachers and guide them with their practice of teaching and learning.
• Ensure curriculum delivery and implementation for the effective functioning of the school. 
• Teach Math, English, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, and Life Skills.
• Prefect Coordinator: Coordinate the selection of prefects, Head Boy, Head Girl, and their deputies. Manage the team, draw up the prefect policy and pledge and duty roster, and meet weekly to ensure effective leadership amongst prefects is carried out. 
• Eco-School Coordinator, Member of School Development Team, and Staff Representative on SGB. Member of the School Marketing team. Chair of Social Committee. Phase and Grade coordinator. Secretary of the School Governing Body.

Teacher (2014 – 2020)

Phase Grade: 4, 5, 7; Subjects: English, Afrikaans, Maths, Natural Sciences, Life Skills, Social Sciences, and Visual Arts.

Teacher (2012 – 2013)

Phase Grade: 6; Subjects: English, Maths, Geography, Life Skills.

Teacher (2011 – 2012)

Grade: 4; Subjects: English, Afrikaans, Maths, Nat.Sciences, Social Sciences, and Life Skills.

• Earned high marks for the quality and creativity of classroom teaching, lesson plans, and instructional materials used in teaching diverse subjects.
• Establish a purposeful and safe learning environment conducive to learning.
• Created personalized learning opportunities so that all learners achieve their potential.
• Established positive relationships with students, parents, fellow teachers, and school administrators/staff.

Apr – Jul 2020                                      Stem Digital School 

Departmental Head for the Intermediate Phase

• Oversaw a smoothing running of the phase, planning, tracking, reporting, monitoring, evaluating teachers, and improving the quality of teachers' work.
•  Mentored and developed teachers’ skills and managed content delivery.

2014 – 2022                                         UNISA

E-Tutor (part-time)

• Tutor 2nd-year Bed students on incorporating environmental education into the curriculum EDA 3046 (2016 – 2019), EED 2601 (2021), NST 1502 (2022).

Other Employment

1996 – 2010                                         Self-Employment

Manager – Informal Business in Retail Clothing

• Manufacturing, retailing, and wholesaling (ladies' clothing).

Apr1998 – 2001                                   Stark Computer Sales 

Accountant and Receptionist

• Managed Debtors, Creditors, General Ledger, Quotations, Ordering, Banking, Data Capturing, and Collections.

Isipingo Secondary                                                                                                                                                                           1990

Matriculation Exemption

Subjects: English, Afrikaans, Physical Science, Math, Geography, Biology

University of South Africa                                                                                                                                                               2010

Bachelor of Arts Degree 

Majors: Psychology (Distinction) and Public Administration

Postgraduate in Education – Intermediate & Senior Phase – Grades 4 – 9 (Cum Laude)                                             2011

Subjects: Mathematics & Natural Science, Economic Literacy & Technology, Social Science & Environmental Education; End-User Computing, Inclusive Education; Child Development; The Educator as Leader, Manager & Administrator; The Educator As A Learning Programme Developer and Assessor

Honours in Education -Specialising in Educational Management                                                                                       2015

Subjects: Managing the school as an organization; Whole School Development thru’ Environmental Education; Organisational Behaviour in Education and Educational Law; Theory & Research in Education; S A Education in Context; Teaching and Learning and Educational Psychology

Master’s Research Proposal: Instructional leadership and an ethics of care: a case study of teaching and learning    2016

Master’s Dissertation to complete: To explore if the transition of the language of learning and teaching (LoLT) from the foundation phase into the intermediate phase impedes learner performance while using instructional leadership practices; a case study in three primary schools within KZN

Unisa Tutor Training Programme – UOL013                                                                                                                              2020

Basic and Advanced course