Rietenbosch Primary School teacher Glynn Crowley went above and beyond to help her pupils succeed by ensuring they didn’t miss out on their education because of poor eyesight.
Image: Ian Landsberg / Independent Media
At Rietenbosch Primary School, one teacher went above and beyond to help her pupils see the world — and their schoolwork — through new eyes.
Meet Miss Glynn Crowley, 35, a passionate educator who had been teaching at the school since 2017.
But it wasn't just her lessons that helped her pupils succeed; it was her efforts to ensure they didn’t miss out on their education because of poor eyesight.
Crowley, who had always had a soft spot for helping children, noticed something alarming when she first started teaching: many of her pupils, particularly those from underprivileged backgrounds, were struggling with poor vision.
“I started teaching in 2017, and right away I noticed a lot of learners had difficulty seeing the board or focusing on their work. It was affecting their schoolwork,” she said.
As a teacher, it was heartbreaking to watch pupils struggle with something that could be fixed so easily. But Crowley wasn’t about to sit by and do nothing. In fact, she began a mission to get her pupils the help they needed.
“Some pupils from other classes would even come to me asking if I could help them get glasses. I knew something had to be done,” she shared.
Luckily, she didn’t have to tackle this challenge alone. SpecSavers, the well-known optical brand, ran a nationwide charity programme called Right to Sight, providing free eye tests and glasses to underprivileged pupils under the age of 12.
Crowley became a dedicated champion of this programme, helping to arrange appointments and ensuring that as many pupils as possible received the care they needed.
“I can relate to these kids because I struggled with my own eyesight when I was at school. I understand the challenges they face, and I know how important it is to get that help,” Crowley said.
“Seeing them get their new specs was the best feeling—especially when they came to class beaming with pride and said, ‘Teacher, check out my new glasses!’”
And it wasn’t just the joy of seeing her pupils walk in with new glasses that made Crowley’s efforts so rewarding—it was the noticeable improvements in their work.
“Once they could see better, their confidence grew, and so did their schoolwork. It was amazing to watch,” she added.
Although Crowley doesn't have children of her own, she proudly considered each one of her pupils her own. “I treat them as if they were my own kids. Their success is my success,” she said with a warm smile.
Miss Crowley said she treats the pupils as if they were her own children and wanted to make difference.
Image: Ian Landsberg / Independent Newspapers
School Principal, Jardine Jappie, had nothing but praise for Miss Crowley’s dedication.
“This might seem minor, but it could be a big barrier when a pupil can’t see on the board or in the book—and then we misinterpret what is happening. Sometimes they just need specs,” Jappie explained.
“We are grateful to SpecSavers. What we saw with Miss Crowley was exactly what we advocate for—being innovative, taking charge, and leading.
"That’s exactly what she did, and we were so grateful to her for making it possible for these pupils to experience learning in a better way.”
tracy-lynn.ruiters@inl.co.za
Weekend Argus
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