Introduction – 1.
5 mins
Good day, my name is Makayla Panday student number
22210402, and it is both a honour and a joy to present my
reflective collage. This collage tells the story of my teaching
journey – from my very first year in 2022 through to my fourth
and final year in 2025 – and how each experience shaped my
novice teacher identity.
Each image is not just a decoration. It is a reflection of a
moment, an experience, a challenge, or a success that
contributed to the teacher I am becoming. As I take you through
each section – my mentors’ guidance, the school
environment and culture, the challenges I faced, my
growth and successes, and finally my reflection and
identity – I invite you to see how my journey over these years
transformed me from a hesitant first-year student teacher into a
confident professional.
Mentor Teacher’s Guidance – 2.5 mins
I would like to begin with the people who shaped my journey
most directly – my mentor teachers.
The picture of a teacher standing beside a student teacher
represents the one-on-one guidance I received when I first
entered teaching. In those early days, I felt uncertain and
overwhelmed, yet my mentors modelled patience, care, and
professionalism. They didn’t just tell me what to do – they
showed me, and that guided the very foundations of my novice
teacher identity.
The image of a teacher sitting on the floor with children
reflects how lessons were actually taught. I remember
observing my mentor sit with learners on the floor, encouraging
discussion and interaction at their level. At first, it felt unusual,
but over time I realised that such simple gestures build trust
and engagement. Experiencing this in my early years
profoundly shaped my understanding that teaching is about
connection as much as content.
The image titled “How to Write a Lesson Plan” captures one
of the first challenges I faced. Balancing outcomes, methods,
and timing felt overwhelming initially, but my mentors broke it
down and guided me step by step. I still remember the first time
my mentor corrected my plan – it was humbling, but it taught
me how to refine my skills. Over the years, I gradually
internalised these lessons, which strengthened my planning
skills and sense of professional competence.
The quote, “Every great achiever is inspired by a great
mentor,” speaks to the evolving guidance I received. As I
progressed, my mentors gradually allowed me to make choices
independently, helping me transition from dependent novice to
emerging professional.
Finally, the “Hey Girl” supportive meme represents the
humour and encouragement that accompanied me throughout.
By my final year, I had internalised these lessons, learning to
support learners and peers with patience and positivity.
Together, these images show how my mentors nurtured both
my skills and confidence, gradually shaping my identity as a
reflective and capable teacher.
School Environment & Culture – 2 mins
The second section focuses on the school environment and
culture, which taught me adaptability and belonging.
The picture of an empty classroom captures the early
moments of entering a real teaching space. Standing in that
quiet classroom, I felt the weight of responsibility. Over time, as
I experienced classrooms in different schools, I learned that the
environment shapes how learners engage, and this awareness
became an essential part of my novice teacher identity.
The learners in uniform standing together represent the
diversity and Ubuntu values that shaped my understanding of
community within the school. Each learner came from a
different background, with unique experiences, perspectives,
and abilities. Observing and participating in this environment
taught me the importance of respect, empathy, and
interconnectedness – the essence of Ubuntu. I learned that
teaching is not just about delivering content, but also about
nurturing a sense of belonging, celebrating differences, and
fostering collaboration. Engaging with these learners helped me
grow as a teacher who values inclusivity, community, and
shared responsibility.
The image of “Our Class Tree” symbolises community and
belonging. Through repeated experiences in diverse
classrooms, I began to feel truly part of the school community.
These interactions showed me that a teacher’s identity is not
only about skill, but also about relationships and being
integrated into the school culture.
Together, these images show how my experiences over the
years shaped me into a teacher who is adaptable, connected,
and aware of the larger learning environment.
Challenges – 2.5 mins
No journey of growth is without challenges, and my collage is
honest about these moments.
The picture of the teacher overwhelmed with papers flying
everywhere represents the workload I encountered in my early
years. Lesson planning, marking, and classroom management
often felt overwhelming, yet working through these challenges
helped me develop resilience and organisational skills that
became central to my teacher identity.
The “Jurassic Park” meme perfectly sums up my classroom
experiences: chaotic and unpredictable. There were lessons
where nothing went according to plan, yet learners were
engaged and learning. Over time, I learned to embrace
unpredictability and see challenges as opportunities, a lesson
that shaped my adaptability.
The clock surrounded by books and a calendar reflects
ongoing battles with time management. Early on, I struggled to
balance preparation, teaching, and personal time. Over
successive years, I learned strategies to prioritise and plan
ahead, which strengthened my independence and professional
confidence.
The POV shocked dog meme captures the nervousness I felt
when lessons went off-script. Gradually, I learned to anticipate
challenges and respond calmly, reflecting the evolution from a
reactive novice to a proactive teacher.
Finally, the chalkboard with ‘I can’t do it / I will do it’
symbolises mindset. Persistently choosing “I will do it” over the
years became the foundation of resilience and perseverance in
my developing teacher identity.
Growth & Success – 2.5 mins
Alongside struggles came growth and success, each building
my professional identity.
The lightbulb filled with motivational words reflects the
spark of creativity that emerged as I gained experience.
Designing a lesson that engaged even the most restless
learners gave me confidence and shaped my innovative
approach to teaching.
The picture of learners raising their hands captures the joy of
engagement. Experiencing learners’ curiosity and active
participation reinforced the value of effort and preparation,
making me feel that my work truly mattered.
The quote by Nelson Mandela: “It always seems impossible
until it’s done” reminds me that every new challenge – from
first lesson plans to formal observations – seemed daunting,
yet overcoming them each year built both skill and self-
assurance.
The plant growing into a tree represents my growth. From
hesitant beginnings, I developed knowledge, skills, and
confidence that together form my professional identity.
Finally, the road leading from 2022 to 2025 shows the
cumulative journey. Each experience, each success,
contributed to shaping my novice-to-professional trajectory,
giving me a sense of purpose and direction.
Reflection & Identity – 3 mins
The final section is the heart of my collage: Reflection and
Identity.
The meme of the tired child – ‘Mornings during student
teaching’ reminds me of the physical and emotional
perseverance required over the years, and the silhouette
jumping from ‘Start’ to ‘Finish’ represents the transformation
of my novice teacher identity into a confident professional ready
to inspire learners.
The cartoon girl holding a mirror represents the reflective
practice that guided me over the years. Early reflection helped
me identify mistakes, while ongoing reflection allowed me to
refine my teaching philosophy and professional values, shaping
a self-aware and purposeful teacher identity.
The butterfly symbolizes transformation. I began my journey
shy and uncertain, and through reflection, practice, and
perseverance, I emerged as a confident, passionate teacher.
The compass represents the direction I have now found.
Initially uncertain, repeated reflection and experience clarified
my teaching philosophy: to create safe, engaging, and inspiring
spaces for learners. Reflection over time has given me
confidence in my professional purpose.
The quote: “Great teachers rise to the top not by chance
but through passion and purpose” reflects the values that
guided me. My identity as a teacher was forged not through
luck, but through intentional reflection, effort, and love for
learning.
The picture of the journey from start to finish represents the
full scope of my growth. From stepping into the classroom as a
novice to standing ready as a graduate professional, this visual
reminds me how each step – small successes, challenges, and
reflections – has been part of building my teaching identity.
Conclusion – 1.5 mins
In conclusion, my collage is more than just a collection of
images. It is a story of growth and transformation.
It reflects the mentors who guided me, the school cultures that
shaped me, the challenges that tested me, the successes that
encouraged me, and the reflections that defined me. Each
experience added knowledge and insight that collectively built
my novice teacher identity into the confident professional I
am today.
When I look at this collage, I see not just pictures – I see a
journey from hesitation to confidence, from uncertainty to
purpose. From stepping into my first classroom to completing
my final year, I have grown, reflected, and transformed. I stand
ready – ready to teach, ready to inspire, and ready to rise with
passion and purpose.
Thank you.
