Page 10 - Dainfern Precinct Living Issue 1 2025

ESTATE MATTERS
ESTATE MATTERS
HOME FRONT

FROM MEDICINE TO

MENTORSHIP

HOW SYLVIA When Sylvia Eppel first set out to study a child’s confidence grow—that’s priceless.”

With top marks in maths and science and a deep
medicine at Wits University, she was
driven by a desire to make a difference
EPPEL FOUND Fin people’s lives. However, along the understanding of different curricula, including IEB
and Cambridge, Sylvia is well-equipped to meet
way, she discovered that her true passion lay not
the diverse needs of her students.
HER TRUE in hospitals, but in classrooms—helping students BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS BEYOND THE
unravel the complexities of maths and science.
TEXTBOOKS
Today, Sylvia is a full-time tutor, bringing clarity
CALLING IN and confidence to students who might otherwise For Sylvia, tutoring goes beyond explaining
feel overwhelmed by these subjects.
formulas and equations. She believes in fostering
MATHS AND But tutoring isn’t just a side job for Sylvia; it’s strong relationships with her students, helping
them overcome both academic and emotional
her calling. She’s taking her passion to the next
hurdles.
SCIENCE level by pursuing a Postgraduate Certificate in “Tutoring isn’t just about getting better marks,”
Education (PGCE), determined to contribute to the
education system in a meaningful way. she says. “It’s about giving students the
confidence to face challenges head-on and
A NATURAL TALENT FOR TEACHING helping them realise that they are capable.”
Sylvia’s journey into education started early—
while she was still in high school. Like many Sylvia understands that many students struggle
students, she took on tutoring to earn some extra not because they lack ability, but because
pocket money. But it didn’t take long for her to they lack the right support. She creates an
realise that she had an innate ability to connect environment where students feel safe to ask
with students and explain concepts in ways that questions and make mistakes—key ingredients to
made them click. real learning.
“I started tutoring just to make ends meet,” Sylvia
recalls. “But the more I worked with students, the Her philosophy is simple: a child who feels
more I saw how much impact I could have. Seeing supported will naturally perform better.

8 DPL issue 1 2025