Grade one teacher Carrin Glossop and the staff from Rand Park Primary School are celebrating Mental Maths champion Jake, who overcame the odds to win.
Rand Park, South Africa (14 November 2023) – Grade three learner Jake is being celebrated by his school teachers, for his incredible efforts in becoming a Mental Maths champion for his school. The reason his accomplishment is so exciting is that he overcame the odds to make it happen.
Jake’s mom Bronwyn Beyers shared that Jake is a healthy and happy young man, but when he was born, that was not the case. He was born with a rare congenital heart condition and was given only a 50% chance of survival as a baby. Thanks to his incredible doctors and the power of prayer, he is a healthy and strong 9-year-old.
Jake’s Grade one teacher Carrin Glossop reached out to share his inspiring story with Good Things Guy. She shared that he has thrived in school despite all the heartbreaking stress he has faced so young. When Jake was in grade one, his sister was diagnosed with a brain tumour at the age of three years old. She survived the ordeal thanks to the support of her loving family and medical team.
Sadly, when Jake entered grade two, his new teacher was in the midst of her own cancer battle.
“In his Grade Two year, his teacher fought through her last full year at our school, she sadly passed in away in May this year after a long battle with cancer. Still despite the ups and downs, having had different teachers in his Grade Two year, Jake came out tops.”
“This year, his Grade Three teacher was diagnosed with cancer and he once again had two teachers. This amazing boy kept steady.” – Carrin Glossop
This year, Jake signed up to take part in the Gauteng Department of Education’s Mental Mathematics Challenge. Jake did phenomenally well!
“Jake came first at District level and went on to come first in Gauteng. First place for Mental Maths out of 300,000 kids. 300 000!!! To say his teachers are proud is an understatement. His Grade Two teacher, Mrs B is smiling down and sprinkling him with sparkles for sure.”
Jake has overcome several stresses and shone through. Carrin shared big congratulations to Jake’s mom and dad, who have supported his educational pursuits wholeheartedly. Carrin went on to share that Jake’s sister is doing well and they are all such incredible humans.
