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
Dr Maretha Steyn is the head of the Department of Professional Studies in the Faculty of Education, and a senior 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 Foundation Phase teacher and department head at a primary school 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:
School leadership and management
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
Anine Hanekom
MEd (Educational Psychology)
Lecturer:
Education Studies
Anine Hanekom is a lecturer in the faculty Education at Akademia and obtained a bachelor’s degree in foundation phase education (cum laude) as well as a an honours and master’s degree in educational psychology (both cum laude) at the North-West University (Potchefstroom Campus). She is currently busy with a doctoral dissertation in educational psychology. Hanekom’s research focus is on well-being from a positive psychology perspective. Hanekom is currently working on an article with the titled “NURTURE: Psycho-educational e-mental health intervention for Grade R educators” as well as a chapter in a new AOSIS-handbook about utilising six bricks (R) to combat math anxiety in grade 1-learners. She worked as a foundation phase educator for four years.
Dr Chris-Mari Le Hanie
PhD (Education with Curriculum Studies)
Senior 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
Programme coordinator:
Postgraduate Teaching Certificate (Senior Phase and Further Education and Training Education)
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.
Jhani Pottas
MEd (Natural Science Education)
Lecturer:
Education Studies
Programme coordinator: Intermediate Phase Teaching
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)
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
Brianda Bester
MEd (Teaching and Learning)
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).
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.
Esmé Leus
MTech (Information Technology)
Lecturer:
Professional Studies
Esmé Leus is a 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 and Language in Practice. 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 (Sotho languages), language technology, and onomastics. Her academic awards include the best honours student in the Faculty of Arts at the Potchefstroom Campus of the North-West University. She has been involved in higher education for two decades and has worked at the North-West University, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan (Poland), and the University of Johannesburg (UJ).
Lizanne de Villiers
MEd (Natural Science Education)
Lecturer:
Professional Studies
Lizanne de Villiers is a lecturer in Education at Akademia and obtained a BEd degree (cum laude) in Life Sciences and Business Studies Education, as well as an honours and master’s degree (both with distinction) in Life Sciences Education from the North-West University (Potchefstroom campus). The focus of her master’s study was the implementation of problem-based learning during an indigenous knowledge intervention to empower Life Sciences teachers to promote self-directed learning in their classrooms. Academic awards include the Vice-Chancellor’s medal for the most outstanding master’s degree in the category Education. She is currently busy with her doctoral dissertation in Natural Sciences Education. She worked in Life and Natural Sciences Education.
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.
Mariana Strydom
MEd (Mathematics Education)
Lecturer:
Professional Studies
Mariana Strydom is a lecturer in Education at Akademia. She obtained a BSc degree from the North-West University (Potchefstroom Campus), as well as a BEd Honours degree (cum laude) in Computer-Integrated Education and a master’s degree in Mathematics Education from the University of Pretoria (UP). She is currently pursuing a doctoral dissertation in Mathematics Education. Strydom’s research focus is on designing a teaching strategy for fostering critical thinking dispositions in mathematics classrooms. She has eighteen years of business experience in the South African plastics industry. She also has six years of experience in a school-related environment, where she the designed, developed, and implemented mathematics intervention programmes. These programmes aimed to train unemployed youth as tutors to teach mathematics to primary school learners.
Marizahn Wentzel
MA (Sport and Recreation Management, Corporate Wellness)
Lecturer:
Professional Studies
Marizahn Wentzel is a lecturer in Life Skills in the BEd programme as well as the PGCE programme where she teaches Life Orientation education at Akademia. She obtained a BA degree in Human Movement Studies from the University of Pretoria (UP). She then obtained her Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) at North-West University. She also obtained an honours and master’s degree (cum laude) in Sport and Leisure in Society at UP. Her master’s degree was about corporate wellness programmes in South Africa. Academic awards include academic honorary colours from the UP student council. She previously practised as a teacher at Magalies Special School and as a part-time lecturer at Akademia.
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.
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.
Tersia Kloppers
MEd (Special needs education)
Lecturer:
Professional Studies
Programme coordinator: Foundation Phase Teaching
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.
Willem Ackermann
Master of Management
Lecturer:
Professional Studies
Willem Ackermann is a lecturer in Education at Akademia. He has a BEd degree in History and Life Sciences, as well as a BAHons degree in History, with specialisation in the economic situation of Uganda 1962 until 1986. He also has a MCom degree in Process Management and Business Intelligence. Willem has over four years’ experience in tertiary education.
Anriné Oerlemans
MA (Applied Linguistics)
Junior lecturer:
Professional Studies
Anriné Oerlemans is a junior lecturer in Education at Akademia and obtained a BA degree in Languages (cum laude) as well as an honours (cum laude) and master’s degree in Applied Language Studies at the University of Pretoria (UP). She also obtained a Postgraduate Certificate in Education at the University of South Africa. Academic awards include the following: SA Akademie bursary for a deserving postgraduate student. Oerlemans was a part-time lecturer for two years at UP and lectured Afrikaans. She practiced as a senior phase teacher for one year.
Lira Beukes
BAHons (Afrikaans)
Junior lecturer:
Professional Studies
Lira Beukes is a junior lecturer in Education at Akademia and obtained a BA Languages degree in Afrikaans as well as an honours in this discipline at the University of Pretoria. Furthermore, she completed her PGCE in the FET phase at the same university. She obtained nine years of practical work experience during her teaching career while working as an Afrikaans teacher.
Annette Botes
BAHons (Psychology)
Part-time lecturer:
Professional Studies
Mrs Annette Botes is a part-time 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.
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.
Dr Viné Petzer
Part-time lecturer:
Professional Studies
Dr Viné Petzer is a part-time 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
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS
Amor Classen
Learning supporter
Nadia Herbst
Coordinator:
Work-integrated learning
Riekie le Roux
Coordinator:
Work-integrated learning
