Lady with a Vision
View(s):Teaching English to the White is something really heavy going. A Sri Lankan girl dwelling in the land of kangaroos won that challenge in dire straits amazingly. She happens to be the main protagonist of this story. Savini Tennakoon is a girl who has not only been blessed to learn English but to teach. Still at a young age, she has overcome many hurdles in her career. Savini Tennakoon was recently conferred with the Educator of the Year Award. In this award Ceremony where young professionals, women and entrepreneurs were evaluated, she was awarded under the educational category. The award ceremony was conducted by Women in Management headed by Dr. Sulochana Sigera. The purpose of this award ceremony was to encourage the talented and skilled youth community in this country.
It is worth looking into how Savini was lucky enough to receive such a prestigious award. Because by following her path, thousands of others can make their lives fruitful. Little Savini was born in an environment of education where her mother was a headmistress. Savini’s maternal grandmother was a teacher and paternal grandfather was also a principal. Her paternal grandmother is also a teacher. She inherited the tradition of teaching and cut her professional teeth as a teacher. Savini is currently pulling your socks up as the Acting Principal of the Asian Grammar School, Gothatuwa and she proudly claims that her passion is teaching.
At the age of 5, little Savini took a shine to teaching and her favourite play was to teach her dolls. She was schooled at Bishop’s College, Colombo. Even during her school years, her desire to teach remained in her heart. Savini left for Australia for her higher education to achieve her brass ring. There, while rising above obstacles, she completed two degrees; a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Bachelor of Education degree. As soon as Savini moved to the land of Kangaroos, she started teaching to the kids of the White by conducting private classes. All the children tutored by Savini succeeded, vouching for Savini’s talents and skills.
“I filled an application to work as a teacher right after my graduation. It is a very competitive country. But based on my qualifications and skills, I got appointed as a teacher. I taught kids in grades 9, 10, 11. It was a really challenging time. You rarely find south Asians teaching English in Australia. But my students performed extremely well. And the school helped me a lot. While I was teaching, I was studying for a Master’s degree. It was arduous. It was a big challenge to pursue a Master’s degree full time while teaching full time and also engaging in tutoring to cover my university fees. Time management was the biggest challenge. I broke through all obstacles and achieved my goal.” said Savini.
Even though she was alone in the land of Kangaroos missing kith and kin, her enthusiasm did not die at all. Soon after the completion of her master’s degree, she began teaching at the Canterbury Girls’ Senior College. This Sinhala girl was also the only Sri Lankan in the department where she used to work. Some Australians asked her how the people of Sri Lanka speak English like this. It was because of Savini’s ability to speak English like a native speaker.
This young educationist, who received the accolade not only for learning but also for teaching, always thought of how to share the knowledge she had learned in Australia with Sri Lankan children. Accordingly, she joined the Asian Gamer School, which was started by her mother 22 years ago. She has also become the school’s first English literature teacher. Savini, who is currently the acting principal of the school, treads the path with much dedication, effort and determination. Nurtured under her mother’s kindred spirit, she has become a guiding light not only for kids of the Asian Grammar School but also for the children of the society, at large.
“In Australia, I gained a good deal of knowledge on many fronts. Every job there has a proper standard and recognition there. Teachers are not limited to the textbooks but are working to impart education through experience. Similarly, transparency can be seen in all fields. Through Asian Grammar School, we hope to mold a generation of good knowledge and practical capabilities who are not restricted to textbooks.”
“Now all the intellectuals are leaving the country. Don’t you think so?”
If everyone goes like that, who will be responsible for education in this country?
Savini’s answer is an example for many people in this country.
She is of the opinion that the practice of the English language should begin with small social units.
Happy Child – Happy Learning
Happy Teacher – Happy Teaching
Saying that, Savini highlights that in the capacity of the acting principal, she is open for anybody who is willing to speak with her.
Currently, 1350 students are pursuing English education at the Asian Grammar School and 170 teachers are employed. Nearly 650 children study at the Giggles Preschool, which is affiliated to the school.
While concluding her victorious journey Savini Tennakoon said, “I would like to thank all the members of the panel of judges, including the President of Women in Management, for giving proper value to the education that I received and imparted with dedication and determination.
By : Pramila Weerasinghe
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