From Left to Right:

Samantha Anderson

PRINCIPAL & GRADE R TEACHER


Qualifications: Diploma Educare / ECD;

Bachelor of Education Foundation Phase;

HRSC: Aptitude Test for School Beginners (ASB) qualified

Joined La Gratitude in: 2007

Fun fact: Samantha loves to sing and is a member of her church’s worship team


Samantha discovered her passion for teaching younger children in High School, as a church volunteer. After school, she started to study towards a Diploma in Educare, and started working at a small nursery school in Pinelands. Wanting to further her education after her Diploma was completed, she decided to pursue a degree, and started her journey at La Gratitude as Teacher Assistant. Over the years she has also held the positions of Aftercare Supervisor, relief Secretary, Grade Pre R teacher, and now Grade R teacher and Principal.

Samantha is happily married to Matthew, and they have one son, Sipho.


Alvina Jeftha

GRADE PRE-R TEACHER

Qualification: REQV Diploma Foundation Phase

Joined La Gratitude in: 2016

Fun Fact: In her spare time, Alvina volunteers at a children’s home


Although Alvina has always had a love for children, she was initially bitten by the travel bug, and studied towards a career in Travel and Tourism. After completing her studies and spending some time au pairing abroad, her original enthusiasm for children and education took hold, and she became a tutor and special needs facilitator at Reach for Autism SA in 2010. In 2017 Alvina started her studies towards her Bachelor of Education Foundation Phase degree, and in the same year became La Gratitude’s Teacher Assistant. Alvina qualifies with her degree this year, and has taken over as teacher of the Pre Grade R class since

July 2021.


Celeste Walters

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT


Joined La Gratitude in: 2012

Fun Fact: Celeste has a passion for arts and crafts and is often seen with a crotchet needle and wool in hand.


After working as a town planners' Personal Administrative Assistant for 6 years, Celeste decided to take on a much harder position...that of a stay-at-home Mom to her two children. When your youngest, Faith, was a learner at La Gratitude in 2012, the Admin Assistant position became available here, and Celeste made the decision to move back into the workforce. Celeste thoroughly enjoys any time she can have with her extensive family, including husband Mark, two children, one step-daughter, step son-in-law and her gorgeous grandson.