Meet Silke Nolting, our new PYP French Teacher

Welcome to WIS! What would you like us to know about you?

After living in Europe for the last 24 years, I am happy to come home to Namibia and to offer my daughters the possibility to know a part of their heritage.

My family and I like to discover new places in France and all over Europe: the landscapes, cities, little villages in the mountains, heritage sites, museums, castles, cathedrals, cultures as well as the local cuisine. 

We love the outdoors. We often go hiking in the various European mountains; sometimes skiing, but we also enjoy all activities in and on the water–we swim, surf, paddle and snorkel on mountain lakes and in the ocean.

My husband is an author, and I was an active part in the realization of four guide books on hiking with children in France. We travelled with children in Europe, and reported on activities for children in various domains - as well as on the interaction of children with animals.

Could you tell us a little about your philosophy of education?

I love being with children, watching them and observing their interactions. Their curiosity and incessant need to question, learn and understand is an inspiration. This positive energy is what makes a classroom come alive.

For me, learning can be fun ! Learning while playing, learning with joy. But helping kids accept that learning is not always easy, that we make mistakes through which we learn as well.

My goal is to help children with the acceptance of others, their differences, their weaknesses and their strengths and to learn with and from each other by exchanging, listening and taking each other into consideration.

Learning a foreign language helps discover a new culture, an insight to other ways of thinking. I hope to support this natural curiosity of the children for everything new.

People often like to know their teacher’s academic background and professional experiences. What and where have you studied? Where have you worked?

I did all my schooling at DHPS in Windhoek and finished with the German Abitur. After working for two years in the tourism industry, I went to Germany to study International Business Management. During my studies I worked part-time for an Australian opals wholesaler. I helped at opal exhibitions and opal sales at jewellers all over Europe. During a semester at Sydney University, I started organising opal search tours to the Outback of Australia and also accompanied these tours as tour guide in search of sapphires and opals in the different mining areas.

After six years in Germany I went to France, a change of life and language. In order to integrate in France and perfect my French, I worked for LVMH at Champagne Mercier for three years.

With the birth of my first daughter, I questioned the meaning of life and decided to become a primary school teacher (which I already wanted to be when I was six years old…). I studied for a Master’s degree in Primary Education and passed the national concours in France in 2014. I integrated the French National Education System and have been teaching in different pre-primary and primary school grades.

What do you do when you aren't teaching?

During the week, I am very active as a musician. I take violin as well as harp lessons and play in two orchestras with regular performances. In France, I also participated in an African dance group which is really good exercise and fun. I also enjoy reading (in winter with the cat rolled-up on my lap). With the family we really love a good board game, a badminton match in the garden or cooking together.

Why did you choose WIS?

Before coming to Namibia for a short visit in February, I checked for vacancies in schooling as coming back to Namibia has been in my plans for several years. The position as PYP French teacher seemed like an incredible and unexpected opportunity to realize these plans. Meeting with several teachers of the language department, the primary coordinator and the educational director I had a real feeling of connection.

Did I actually choose WIS ? Was it meant to be ? I am just very happy to be a part of WIS, its primary school and language team.

Is there anything else you’d like us to know about you?

While abroad, I missed a really good Namibian braai and the scent of the rain after a long dry spell.

Anything sweet and you win me over.

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