Shiloh Buss

I am a driven, tenacious, and honest individual who becomes an asset to any team I am a part of. I strive towards doing my best at everything I attempt, and I value integrity and authenticity whenever I approach a task. I have had many different experiences working with children, especially those with special needs or who come from difficult backgrounds, and I believe that working with children is my life’s calling. I am passionate about education as the solution to the challenges our world must face. This has made me believe that it is my mission to inspire our young minds to be hopeful for a better future and equip them with the skills they need to be valued and proactive members of society, who live in service of humanity, and who cares about our planet and all that dwells upon it. I have also spent a lot of time on stage, as a part of my dramatic arts studies in school and my dancing career, as well as in front of a camera whilst acting and modeling. This means that I am a confident public speaker, and it allows me to continually involve students during class time, due to my ability to engage with an audience.

I am a Bachelor of Arts graduate, majoring in English Language Studies and Applied English Language Studies. I graduated with distinction in both my majors and believe that I have a strong grasp and understanding of the English Language. I have been a professional model for the last two years, which has greatly improved my confidence and public speaking. This career has also granted me the opportunity of living in Europe for three months, so I am familiar with being in a foreign non-English speaking country, thus, making me a more adaptable and tenacious individual. I also have extensive experience in working with children and with teaching. I was a netball coach to 11-year-olds whilst studying, which showed me that I have the energy necessary to keep up with children. Since February, I have been a volunteer teacher at Rondevlei Learning Center, an NGO school that aims to break the poverty cycle by providing a safe space for them to live, and learn basic reading, writing, and arithmetic skills, with the hopes that they can be phased into mainstream education or technical schools. At this school, I am responsible for assisting with class management, lesson planning, teaching, after-school care, facilitating creative lessons and mindfulness, as well as providing emotional support for the children with regard to the effects their home circumstances have on them. Working at this school has given me a wide range of abilities that I believe would make me a competent and effective teacher in any classroom situation where I find myself. My adaptability, consistency, and strong initiative have led to these children having a much better self-belief, which is vital for them to be able to challenge their circumstances. I’ve also facilitated important discussions with them regarding safety, consent, and social awareness, which aids them in protecting themselves when they must return to their communities. I believe that my approach to teaching has made them more confident learners and has inspired them to dream beyond where they come from. 

University of Stellenbosch – Bachelor of Arts (English Language Studies, Applied English Language Studies) 

February 2018 – December 2020 

I am a graduate of the University of Stellenbosch, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Humanities. I received a full bursary for the duration of my degree from the Sheila Brand Trust. My majors were English Language Studies and Applied English Language Studies, and I have a minor in Philosophy. Within my English Language Studies major, I specialized in Post‑colonial English literature and Black Feminism. I chose these specializations because they are so relevant to the socio‑political and socio‑economic climate of the world we live in. My major in Applied English Language Studies gives me a strong grasp of effective communication and efficient use of the English Language to convey specific messages and obtain specific goals with my language use. By obtaining this degree, I have developed my critical thinking skills, as well as my emotional intelligence and creativity. I believe that my years at university have allowed me to become a more complete individual, with a better understanding of the inner workings of our society and the different people and perspectives that should be considered daily. The skills I have harnessed from these years will serve to be useful in any work environment I find myself in.

World TESOL Academy – 120-hour TESOL certificate 

July 2023 

I have recently completed my 120-hour TESOL certificate via World TESOL Academy. 

Two Oceans Graduate Institute – Post Graduate Certificate of Education 

July 2023 – Present

I am currently enrolled to start my PGCE, which is a one-year teaching certificate necessary for registering as a teacher in South Africa. The course will be online via distance learning; thus, I will be able to complete it from anywhere in the world. Once completed, I will be a registered English Home Language teacher for the ages of 13 – 18.