Watch: Primary school teacher uses Michael Jackson to energise classroom
Positivity
Niyoshi Pillay.
Image: Supplied
EVERY morning, before pencils are picked up and lessons begin, the sound of Michael Jackson fills the halls of a primary school classroom and it is all thanks to one teacher’s unique approach to starting the day.
Niyoshi Pillay, a Grade 4 teacher at Limelight Academy in Pretoria, begins each school day by playing the iconic pop star’s music to help her pupils feel upbeat, focused, and ready to learn.
From “Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough” to “Heal the World,” the daily dance-and-sing-along has quickly become a hit with pupils, setting a positive tone for the day.
Pillay is the Departmental Head of the Senior and FET Phase as well as the Afrikaans FAL Educator for Grades 4 to 10.
After completing her honours degree in psychology, she decided to pursue a postgraduate certificate in education with the aim of entering the school environment as a teacher to make a difference.
She has been teaching for five years.
“I wanted to have first hand experience of how pupils learn and behave at school. I also wanted to inspire and motivate pupils to reach their full potential at school and to become socially responsible citizens of the world.”
The idea to start the day listening to Jackson came after celebrating his birthday.
“I thought of the Michael Jackson video as a tribute to his birthday, which was August 29. I love music and singing and I love creating a great vibe in my classes. So I usually enter my classes and start singing. I start playing a song and the pupils respond by singing the next line.”
She decided to take her videos to social media.
“I have done singing videos with my Grade 4s, Grade 8s and 9s so far. But I have been creating school related fun content for about four years now. I was surprised to find out that the Grade 4s are Micheal Jackson fans because he passed away almost 10 years before they were born,” said an amused Pillay.
She said she hoped these singing activities helped her pupils start the day bright and fresh.
“These activities help the pupils to relax and look forward to my lessons and in coming to school in general. I have introduced singing practice lessons as an extra mural activity for those pupils who love to sing. I hope my pupils continue to enjoy themselves with this small activity,” said Pillay.