STAFF
Akademia has outstanding and vocation-driven staff who contribute to a worldclass learning experience.
DEAN
Prof. Gawie du Toit
PhD (Didactics)
Dean:
Faculty of Education
Prof. Gawie du Toit completed his qualifications at the University of the Free State (UFS), including a Higher Education Diploma, an MSc degree in Mathematics, and a doctorate in Didactics. In 1987, he entered higher education as a senior researcher at the erstwhile Research Institute for Educational Planning at the same university. In 1997, he was appointed as department head of the Department of Didactics (later known as Curriculum Study) at the Faculty of Education at the UFS. He also occupied the position of programme director: Undergraduate Programmes from 2010-2013.
On 1 November 2013, he was seconded for three years to implement the BEd Senior Phase and Further Education and Training programme, which he developed at UFS at the newly-founded Sol Plaatjie University (SPU). Since being appointed in 2016, he has held the full-time position of head of the School for Education at the SPU. His research is focused on mathematics education and curriculum development. Since joining the Faculty of Education in 1997, he has produced nine articles and five chapters in academic books. Under his supervision, 22 master’s degree students and 11 doctoral students have successfully completed their studies.
Prof. du Toit was also involved in various research projects with the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium and the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada. Other than that, he was also the administrator of various management training seminars for educational leaders in the Free State.
Since 1 March 2019 du Toit is the dean of the Faculty of Education.
HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS
Dr Maretha Steyn
PhD (Early Childhood Development)
Head of Department:
Professional Studies
Programme coordinator:
BEd (Foundation Phase Teaching)
Dr Maretha Steyn is the head of the Department of Professional Studies, programme coordinator of the BEd programme, and a lecturer at Akademia. She obtained a BPrimEd (cum laude) degree from the University of Pretoria (UP) and a BEd Honours degree (cum laude) from the University of South Africa (Unisa). She also holds an MEd in Historical Education from Unisa and a doctoral degree from UP in Foundation Phase Mathematics. Her master’s dissertation focused on changing perspectives on the early teaching of reading and writing, and her doctoral dissertation was titled Teaching the Mathematical Concept of Time in Grade 2.
Steyn was involved as department head and as a teacher at Laerskool Stephanus Roos for 31 years. Steyn is passionate about teaching and has experience in the development of course materials as well as training of teachers and students, including curriculum implementation and innovative teaching strategies. She is also involved in planning and writing teaching and learning materials. Steyn’s research interests are currently focused on teaching strategies in the foundation phase with the aim of empowering pre-service teachers.
Susan O’Reilly
MA (Research Psychology)
Head of Department:
Education Studies
Programme coordinator:
Postgraduate Education Certificate for Senior Phase and FET Education
Susan O’Reilly is a lecturer in Education at Akademia and holds a master’s degree in Psychology (cum laude) as well as a professional teaching qualification. Her teaching profile includes experience in both school education and tertiary education. Her master’s dissertation has been reworked and included as an article in an international journal, namely the Journal of Intergenerational Relationships. O’Reilly is the programme coordinator of the Postgraduate Education Certificate for Senior Phase and FET Education at Akademia.
Department of Educational Studies
Dr Chris-Mari Le Hanie
PhD (Education with Curriculum Studies)
Lecturer:
Education Studies
Chris-Mari Le Hanie is a senior lecturer in Education at Akademia and obtained a PhD in Education with Curriculum Studies as well as an honours and master’s degree in this discipline at the North-West University (Potchefstroom Campus). Le Hanie’s research focuses on curriculum studies, assessment, research, and business education. She has held several positions throughout her career: curriculum coordinator, curriculum developer, head of institutional quality and academic support, teacher, and lecturer. Le Hanie is the author of several journal articles, book chapters, and books in the field of education.
Daleen Botha
MEd (Learner Support)
Lecturer:
Education Studies
Daleen Botha is a lecturer in Education at Akademia and holds an honours degree in Learner Support (cum laude) as well as a master’s degree (cum laude) in this discipline from the North-West University (Potchefstroom campus). She is currently working on a doctoral thesis in education for special needs. Botha’s research focuses on functional school-based support teams. Her most recent published works include an article in the Journal for Inclusive Education South Africa (IESA) (2020), and she was a co-author of a chapter in a published collective work (2021). She has worked in the field of education for 15 years, serving schools and learners at the district level for nine years as a senior education specialist: inclusive education and special schools. Until recently, she taught Inclusive Education and Mathematics modules at STADIO (Centurion campus), a higher education institution.
Elana Kriel
MEd (Educational Psychologist)
Lecturer:
Education Studies
Elana Kriel is a lecturer in Education at Akademia. She holds a BA degree (cum laude), a postgraduate higher education diploma (cum laude), a BEd degree (Educational Psychology), and an MEd degree (specialisation in Educational Psychology) from the University of Pretoria (UP). She also obtained a BEd degree (specialisation in School Guidance) from the University of South Africa (Unisa). The title of her master’s dissertation is: An Analysis of the Potential of Narrative Therapy as Stress Management for an Educator in Inclusive Education. Kriel has experience as a substitute teacher at various schools and as a part-time lecturer in Distance Learning for teachers involved in special needs training. After registering with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), she started practising as an educational psychologist. She also has experience in the corporate world with telephone counselling and managing a call centre. Furthermore, she manages the national network of service providers in the specific employee assistance programme. She worked for a decade as a therapist at Kwaggasrand Technical Occupational School for Learners with Special Needs (LSEN). She was involved in the referral and assessment process of learners to and from special schools and led a multi-professional support team. Her passion lies in therapeutic intervention, education, and training for teachers.
Jhani Pottas
MEd (Natural Science Education)
Lecturer:
Education Studies
Jhani Pottas is a lecturer in Education at Akademia. She holds a BEd degree in Life Sciences and Mathematics Education, as well as an honours and master’s degree (with distinction) in Life Sciences Education from the North-West University (Potchefstroom campus). Her academic awards include the Best Honours Student in Life Sciences award. She worked as a Life and Natural Sciences teacher for eight years.
Julia Correia
MEd (International and Comparative education)
Lecturer:
Education Studies
Julia Correia is a lecturer in Education at Akademia and obtained a BEd degree in Foundation Phase Education (cum laude) at the University of South Africa (UNISA). She also obtained an honours degree in Education Management and Leadership and a master’s degree in International and Comparative Education at the North-West University (Potchefstroom Campus). She practiced as a foundation phase teacher for seven years.
Sean Botha
MEd (Education Management, Law and Policy)
Junior lecturer:
Education Studies
Sean Botha is a lecturer in Education at Akademia and obtained a BEd degree in Education as well as an honours and master’s degree (cum laude) in Education Management, Law and Policy from the University of Pretoria. Academic awards include the following: Golden Key member and academic honorary colours (UP). He practiced eight years as an educator.
Department of Professional Studies
Dr Annelise de Vries
PhD (Applied Linguistics)
Lecturer:
Professional Studies
Dr Annelise de Vries is a lecturer in Afrikaans and the head of the Department of Languages in the Faculty of Education at Akademia. She holds a doctoral degree in Applied Linguistics, a master’s and honours degree in Afrikaans-Dutch, a BA degree in Communication Studies, and a BA degree in Pastoral Guidance and Psychology. She obtained her doctoral degree from the University of Johannesburg; her MA, honours, and BA degrees were obtained from the North-West University (Potchefstroom campus). De Vries’ research focuses on applied linguistics, including language planning and forensic linguistics. Her most recent published work is a chapter in the book Language and the law in South Africa and Beyond – Language and Crime: Issues in Forensic Linguistics.
She worked in the educational environment for three years and then predominantly as a researcher for four years. She currently serves as the chairperson of the board of the Afrikaanse Taalraad (Afrikaans Language Council) and as a member of the Language Commission of the South African Academy for Science and Arts.
Charmain Kruger
BAHons (Geography)
Lecturer:
Professional Studies
Charmain Kruger is a lecturer in Education at Akademia and holds a BAHons in Geography as well as a higher education diploma from the University of Pretoria (UP). She is currently pursuing an MEd in Educational Leadership and Management (master’s dissertation) at the North-West University. Kruger’s research focuses on the influence of a client-centred management approach on quality education in primary schools. During her successful teaching career in the subject of Social Sciences (Geography and History), she was recognised as the best primary school teacher (senior phase) in Gauteng in 2019. She practised as a teacher for 12 years.
DJ Cloete
MA (Linguistics and Literary Theory)
Lecturer:
Professional Studies
DJ Cloete is a lecturer in Education at Akademia and obtained a BA degree in Languages as well as an honours and master’s degree in this discipline at the North-West University. He also obtained his PGCE qualification at Akademia. Cloete has a wide interest in the workings of language and has collaborated on international projects that includes Skryfhulp Afrikaans. Prior to his appointment he was a lecturer in linguistics at the North-West University and was closely involved with projects launched by ICELDA and SADiLaR. The aim of these projects is to create tools that can support students during their academic career and to promote multilingualism within the higher education context. He was also the project manager of a new book on applied linguistics in Afrikaans, titled Toegepaste Taalkunde in Afrikaans (2022). Cloete’s research interests are Variation and Computer Assisted Language Learning.
Esme Leus
Lecturer:
Professional Studies
Esmé Leus is a part-time lecturer in Computer Skills at Akademia and has a bachelor’s degree in Technology as well as a master’s degree in Information Technology at the University of South Africa (Unisa). Her research focus is the evaluation of the IT component in tourism and hospitality curricula. She has more than a decade’s experience as a lecturer in tertiary education in information technology, and she also specialises in management information systems.
Karien Brits
Lecturer:
Professional Studies
Karien Brits is a lecturer in Sepedi as a Conversational Language at Akademia. She holds a degree in Business Communication, as well as honours and master’s degrees (cum laude) in Setswana from the North-West University (NWU). Brits’ research focuses on multilingualism and language planning, but she is also interested in language acquisition, morphology, language technology, and onomastics. Her great passion for language learning is evident in practice; she has proficiency in the following languages: German, Polish, Spanish, French, as well as some Sotho and Nguni languages. She is currently learning Turkish and Russian. Her most recent published work is an article in the South African Journal of African Languages on language stereotyping and multilingualism. Her academic awards include the best honours student in the Faculty of Arts and Philosophy at the Potchefstroom campus of the North-West University. She has been involved in the collegiate world for two decades and has worked at the North-West University, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan (Poland), and the University of Johannesburg (UJ).
Mariaan Oschman
BComHons (Business Management in Marketing Management)
Lecturer:
Professional Studies
Mariaan Oschman is a lecturer in Business Management at Akademia. She holds a BCom degree in Marketing Management, as well as an honours degree in this discipline from the University of South Africa (Unisa). She has practised as a teacher of Economics and Business Studies for six years.
Marnelda de Beer
MEd (Information and Communication Technology)
Lecturer:
Professional Studies
Marnelda de Beer is a lecturer in Education at Akademia. She obtained her BEd honours degree in Educational Psychology at the North-West University (NWU) and a master’s degree in Information and Communication Technology (Education) at the University of Johannesburg. De Beer’s research focus is Afrikaans Home Language and Reading Education (foundation phase). She is a coauthor of a reading guide as well as a chapter in a book about the education field. For more than twenty years she practiced as a teacher and for six years as foundation phase specialist. Sy currently lectures the following module: Afrikaans Home Language (foundation phase), Information and Communication Technology (foundation and intermediate phase), Student Teaching and Education for Early Child Development.
Michelle van Dyk
Lecturer:
Professional Studies
Michelle van Dyk is a part-time lecturer in the Faculty of Education and teaches the Drama component of the Life Skills module for second-year BEd students at Akademia. She holds a master’s degree in Drama and Film Studies from the Tshwane University of Technology. Van Dyk has extensive experience in teaching drama and taught at higher education institutions. She also served as the head of the Drama Department at a high school and participated in a curriculum development panel for Dramatic Arts for grades 10 to 12 on behalf of the Gauteng Department of Education. Van Dyk has also led improvisation skills classes for professional and amateur actors in Amsterdam. She has practical experience in the entertainment industry, having worked in children’s theatre, puppetry, and as an assistant production designer. Her academic awards include the award for Best Supporting Lead Role in a production, as well as Best Academic Achievement in the Faculty of Arts and Design at the Tshwane University of Technology.
Monique Alberts
BAHons (English Studies)
Lecturer:
Professional Studies
Monique Alberts is a lecturer in Education at Akademia and obtained a bachelor’s degree in Education (FET phase) as well as an honours degree in English Studies and in Education- specialising in psychological support (cum laude) at the University of Johannesburg and the University of South Africa respectively. She is currently busy with a master’s thesis in Education. Alberts’s research focus is English as Language of Teaching and Learning. She practiced eight years as an English teacher.
Moreen Coetzee
MEd (Phsycial Sciences Education)
Lecturer:
Professional Studies
Moreen Coetzee is a lecturer in Education at Akademia and holds a BSc degree in Physiology and Biochemistry, as well as a professional teaching qualification from the North-West University. She obtained an honours and master’s degree in Physical Sciences Education from the University of Pretoria. Her master’s thesis delivered two articles that was published in the following journals: Perspectives in Education and African Journal of Research in Mathematics, Science and Technology Education. She worked in the education environment for seven years, which included part-time research experience. Coetzee’s research interest is inquiry-based regarding teaching and learning and its context in South African classrooms.
Dr Nic de Jager
PhD (Education)
Lecturer:
Professional Studies
Dr Nic de Jager is a lecturer in the Faculty of Education and specialises in English for both the BEd and PGCE programmes. He obtained a bachelor’s degree in Education (senior phase and FET Education) from the North-West University, followed by a BAHons in English Education, an MA in Applied Language and Literacy Education, and a PhD in Education from the University of the Witwatersrand. De Jager’s passion for teaching and education lies in the arts, literature, and various digital platforms, as well as the opportunities these areas provide for creative expression and self-realisation. Since 2011, he has been practising as a teacher, subject head, and lecturer at various secondary and tertiary education institutions, including the University of the Witwatersrand and Tshwane University of Technology. As a result, he has gained extensive practical experience as an educator in both the high school- and university contexts. His research focuses on multimodal pedagogy, specifically the application of alternative teaching strategies in developing prescribed subject knowledge. His published work includes academic articles as well as illustrations for books. His latest published article is titled ‘Reading Gamefully: Videogamification as Multimodal Pedagogy for High School Setworks’.
Santie Louw
MSc TEd
Lecturer:
Professional Studies
Santie Louw is a lecturer in Education at Akademia and holds an MSc Applied Pedagogy degree in Mathematics Education from the University of Oxford, as well as an Honours degree in Mathematics from the North-West University (NWU). She also obtained a BTh honours degree. Louw’s research focuses on the training of Mathematics teachers in a subject-specific model. She practised as a Mathematics and Science teacher for 35 years.
Brianda Bester
MEd (Teaching and Learning)
Junior lecturer:
Professional Studies
Brianda Bester is a lecturer in Education at Akademia and obtained a BEd degree in Foundation Phase Teaching (cum laude) as well as an honours and master’s degree in Teaching and Learning (cum laude) at the North-West University (Potchefstroom Campus). Academic awards include the following: best academic mathematics student for four years. She was a part-time lecturer for one year at the NWU and lectured Mathematical Literacy. Bester practised as a foundation phase teacher for twelve years of which eight was as English subject head. She lectures the following modules: General Pedagogy and English First Additional Language Education (foundation phase).
Tersia Kloppers
MEd (Special needs education)
Junior lecturer:
Professional Studies
Tersia Kloppers is a lecturer in Foundation Phase Education at Akademia and obtained a BEd degree in Foundation Phase Education as well as an honours degree (cum laude) in BEd Learning Support at the University of Pretoria (UP). She obtained her master’s degree (cum laude) in this discipline at the North-West University (Potchefstroom Campus). She is currently writing a chapter for a textbook on development in young children. She practiced as a foundation phase teacher for six years.
Annette Botes
BAHons (Psychology)
Part-time lecturer:
Professional Studies
Mrs Annette Botes is a lecturer in Life Skills (music) at Akademia and obtained a national diploma in light music (Pretoria Technikon), a diploma in contemporary music and music education (Contemporary Music College), a BA degree in music and an honours degree in psychology from the University of South Africa (Unisa). She has three decades of experience in teaching various aspects of music, including class music, piano and vocals. She is also a registered wellness counsellor and currently busy with a postgraduate certificate in play therapy.
Prof. Arend Carl
DEd (Curriculum Studies)
Part-time lecturer:
Professional Studies
Prof. Arend Carl is a part-time lecturer in Social Science Education (SP), as well as History Education (FET) at Akademia. He obtained a BA, BAHons in History, Higher Education Diploma, MEd and DEd from the University of Stellenbosch (US). He was associated with the Department of Curriculum Studies in the Faculty of Education at US for 35 years, where he served as the vice dean of Teaching and Learning, among other roles. Carl’s research focuses on curriculum studies and social sciences. He has published extensively in this field and delivered numerous presentations at both national and international conferences. He serves on the editorial board of the Journal for Humanities, as well as Yesterday&Today. His book Teacher Empowerment through Curriculum Development: Theory into Practice (currently in its 5th edition), is widely used in South African universities for teacher education.
Celeste Labuschagne
MEd (Information and Communication Technology)
Part-time lecturer:
Professional Studies
Celeste Labuschagne is a part-time lecturer in Education at Akademia. Labuschagne obtained a BSc degree in Chemistry and Biochemistry, an honours degree in Biochemistry with Metabolism as specialisation as well as a Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education from the Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education (now NWU). She also obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Delphi programming for Teachers as well as a master’s degree in Information and Communication Technology education from the University of South Africa. She was a high school teacher for 24 years of which two years were as a department head for Natural Sciences and ten years as deputy head. From 2019 she was part of the Solidarity School Support Centre where she started as Cloud School Lecturer in Physical and Natural Sciences. Currently, she offers training to teachers as subject specialist in the Sciences and Robotics. She is also in charge of the Rassie Erasmus Sport Association.
Prof. Erna du Toit
PhD (Didactics)
Part-time lecturer:
Professional Studies
Prof. Erna du Toit is a part-time lecturer in Life Sciences Education at Akademia. She holds the following qualifications: a higher education diploma, BScHons (Botany); MEd-, and a PhD in Didactics from the University of the Free State (UFS). She started her teaching career at the erstwhile Vista University where she was seconded to the UFS. From 2014 to 2018, she formed part of the academic team that implemented the education programmes at the newly established Sol Plaatje University. She currently works as an educational consultant.
She has authored numerous publications, book chapters, and books. She has also delivered national and international presentations. As a study leader and co-study leader, she has successfully supervised the studies of four doctoral and seventeen MEd students.
Johan Koekemoer
Part-time lecturer:
Professional Studies
Johan Koekemoer is a lecturer in Mathematics at Akademia. He studied at the North-West University (NWU) as well as the University of Pretoria (UP). He obtained a BIng degree in Mechanical Engineering, after which he pursued qualifications to work as an educator. He completed a postgraduate teaching certificate (PGCE) as well as his honours degree in Mathematics Education. Koekemoer presented the findings of his research project, titled Aligning Mathematics Taught in the Intermediate Phase, with Afterschool Enrichment Programs, to Respond to a Changing Engineering Education Landscape, at the biennial international congress of the South African Society of Engineering Education (SASEE). He also completed a Mathematics Education course at the Freudenthal Institute at Utrecht University in the Netherlands. He is currently involved at the School Support Centre as the head of the Vereniging vir Afrikaanse Wiskunde-onderwysers (association for Afrikaans Mathematics Educators).
Dr. Louisa Stoker
PhD (Pastoral Counseling)
Part-time lecturer:
Professional Studies
Dr Louisa Stoker is a part-time lecturer in Education at Akademia. She obtained a BA degree in Psychology, German and Tourism as well as a BTh degree in Pastoral Counselling. Furthermore, she holds a BScHons degree in Clinical Psychology, a master’s and doctor’s degree (cum laude) in Counselling as well as a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) with Life Orientation and Afrikaans as major subjects. She obtained these qualifications at the North-West University (Potchefstroom campus) and UNISA respectively. Stoker’s research focusses on emotional manipulation as part of different types of abuse in interpersonal relationships. Her most recent work is as speaker at the International Cultic Studies Association’s annual international conference, whereafter she will submit a paper with the following theme: “How divorce counselling could be used to navigate the emotional turmoil and practical implications when a client is divorcing a cult member, and there are children involved”. She also talks as an expert on various television and radio programmes. Her academic awards include the following: the Special accomplishment award for an exceptional master’s degree; the Accomplishment award for the best student in Afrikaans didactics; and the Pro Reformando Trust award. She practised as a teacher and/or lecturer for ten years and as a councillor and/or mediator.
Marizahn Wentzel
MA (Sport and Recreation Management, Corporate Wellness)
Part-time lecturer:
Professional Studies
Marizahn Wentzel is a part-time lecturer in Life Skills in the BEd programme at Akademia. Marizahn obtained a BA degree in Human Movement Science from the University of Pretoria. She then obtained her Postgraduate Education Certificate (PGCE) from the North-West University. Wentzel also holds an honours degree and a master’s degree (cum laude) in Sports and Leisure Studies at the University of Pretoria. Her dissertation was titled Corporate Wellness Programs in South Africa: Contextualising Pitfalls Rendering Businesses from Achieving a Culture of Wellness.
Marizahn Wentzel’s academic awards include academic honorary colours on behalf of the Student Council of the University of Pretoria. She practised as a teacher for five years.
Riana Manley
BAHons (English)
Part-time lecturer:
Professional Studies
Riana Manley is ʼn lecturer in Professional Studies at Akademia. She obtained a BA (Languages) degree, a Postgraduate Certificate in Education and an honours degree with specialisation in English from the University of Pretoria and Unisa, respectively. Her most recent published work is a guide, Applied English Literature Foundation Phase First Additional Language at Unisa. For eighteen years she was an English Home Language and English First Additional Language teacher of which four years was as department head. During 2023 she was a national examiner for SACAI. She was also an external marker and tutor for Unisa.
Dr Viné Petzer
Part-time lecturer:
Professional Studies
Dr Viné Petzer is a lecturer at Akademia and holds a BCom degree (cum laude), a postgraduate teaching diploma, as well as an honours and master’s degree (cum laude) in Teaching and Learning from the North-West University. She obtained her doctoral degree from the same institution, and her thesis focused on a model for creating positive Accounting classroom conditions that support successful learning in school. Petzer’s research interests are currently focused on improving teaching and learning strategies in Accounting, with the purpose of promoting cognitive development among both learners and pre-service teachers. She is also in the process of finalising articles for publication purposes in an internationally accredited journal. Her most recent published work includes a chapter in a book titled Quality Education: The Nexus of Human Capital Development, Economic Growth and Social Justice in a South African Context by the North-West University, and she has also contributed to a chapter in the book Developing Critical Thinking. She has 25 years of experience in education at both school- and higher education levels.
Academic assistants
Marizahn Wentzel
MA (Sport and Recreation Management, Corporate Wellness)
Part-time academic assistant: Education
Riekie le Roux
Part-time academic assistant: Education
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS
Nadia Herbst
Coordinator:
Work-integrated learning
