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Mrs. Lovseth Goes to Pierre

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Mrs. Lovseth Goes to Pierre

07/28/2026

A little 🇿🇦 History. KhoiSan (as the San and Khoi, another of South Africa’s earliest inhabitants, were collectively known) drifted into the Western Cape around 300 AD. 1000+ years later, as a geographic stormy spot on the sea the Dutch East Indian company made a "rest stop" on the cape. As the rest stop grew it gained the attention of the British. For about 200 years, those imperialist powers battled it out for control.
We headed to Pretoria, SA to learn about the Boer or Voortrekkers who took the great "trek" from the Cape- north. Think Manifest Destiny... Oregon Trail. So many similarities to both pioneer groups. In the late 1860's gold & diamonds were found. The Dutch & British went to war... one of the bloodiest. The treaty of Vereeniging (1902; 1910) ends the war with the Dutch surrendering to the British but due to the inhuman the Boer's (Afrikaaners) were subjected to animosity grows and the Afrikanners become more "nationalistic". Fast forward- In 1948, the Afrikaner National Party wins control and the Apartheid begins. Racial segregation of the races. The apartheid ends in 1994.
Today, around 3.2 million people identify as
Afrikan and speak Afrikaaners.

07/24/2026

🇿🇦 Day 5
The rain couldn't keep me away from the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens in Capetown. In the afternoon we boarded a domestic flight to head to Johannesburg. In the evening we listened to a panel of 🇿🇦 Education officials.
🧠 South Africa has 9 provinces (states). The "Governor" is called a Premier. "SGB"- School Governing Boards are regional and act like a school board but would be more like "county school board not district." Interesting, right?

07/23/2026

🇿🇦 Day 4 We spent the day in the Mitchell's Plain Township. Townships are areas outside the city that groups (Black, coloured*, & Indian). were sent to live during the Apartheid. *legal terms of Population Registration Act of 1950
We attended 2 schools. High school & primary school.

In the evening, we attended the GOLD restaurant "an African cultural experience". So much fun!

07/21/2026

🇿🇦 Day 3.
So much today. This afternoon we visited Robben Island (Dutch for seal). Most famously known as the prison Nelson Mandela and other political prisoners were held during the apartheid. Our tour was given by a former prisoner who was held on the island from 1984 until 1991. It's so hard to capture how raw this experience was given the state of global affairs. I will do a longer post later about his story.
This morning we went on a school visit ❤️ South Peninsula High School- motto "Not to be served but to serve". You guys. Amazing. While there were no computers, no phones, uniforms and open air hallways looking onto the mountains in the distant- I found so many similarities. I spent 30 minutes asking and answering questions with Grade 12 students. South Dakota and South Africa aren't all that different. They, of course, couldn't believe 14 year olds can drive and that we get out school for sports (cricket, net ball, rugby, futbol, and athletics to them) and I was surprised no lunch was served and that they prepare for huge exams each term.

07/20/2026

🇿🇦 Day 2. Explored the historical area of Bo-Kaap. Cape Town has distinct districts. Bo-Kaap is known it's Cape Malay cultural influences. "Malay's" or Cape Muslims originated from former enslaved & free Muslims and people from Indonesia. It was not demolished during Apartheid and the buildings are colorful & vibrant.
District 6. District 6, down the road, was demolished during Apartheid and those living there in the 1970's were forced to move to townships outside of the city. Our tour guide was an original resident and was able to move back in the 2000's. (See her suitcase below).
In the afternoon, we ventured outside of the city up the peninsula to a San Farm & Cultural Center. I can't even capture how beautiful this place was. The history and culture of the San people, the plants, birds, and stories were amazing.
*Note, it's winter in South Africa. It's been 50-60 but misty. Lots of layers!

07/19/2026

Mrs. Lovseth is in South Africa. In March 2025, I applied for the highly competitive Fellowship, the Global Learners Fellowship to celebrate my 20th teach-i-versary. That semester and summer had me questioning staying in the classroom (iykyk 🫣). In August, when the congratulatory email arrived it felt like a high power was saying "Stay. You love teaching". I did- and this past year was one of the best. In October, all 53 fellows met in DC and we have been studying all year in anticipation of our field study in South Africa 🇿🇦 Day 1

07/10/2026

"Did you know that this year's kindergarten class will graduate in 2037 — the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Constitution?" 🤯📃
On Monday, I had the absolute privilege of presenting with my NEA fellowship mentor and iCivics at the NEA Representative Assembly. Our objective was simple: let's teach more civics knowledge, skills, dispositions, and behaviors in our classrooms." 📣🇺🇲

05/02/2026

My 3-year term to the National Education Association Board of Directors is coming to an end. While eligible for another term, I have chosen to pass the 🔥 and watch more hockey and golf of my high school boys 🥹 For my last DC BOD meeting, I brought my youngest son and my amazing mother-in-law so they could see this historic city and tag along on my lobby visits and see first hand how advocacy works!

02/14/2026

Back in DC for the winter NEA Board of Directors meeting. I spent a day on the Hill lobbying and taking in as much as I can for my students back home. I even hung out between meetings near the committee rooms to catch all the action!
On Friday, I attended the NEA Foundation Gala celebrating our Teachers of the Year and other amazing educators. I even caught up with a few of my incredible Fellows.

10/18/2025

I’m back in D.C. again—twice in the same week! In August, I found out I had been selected, along with 50 other teachers from 41 states and Department of Defense bases in Belgium and Japan, as a Fellow for the Global Learning Fellowship.
The Global Learning Fellowship fosters a deeper appreciation for cultural differences, stronger perspective taking skills, and firsthand experience of another culture’s approach to education. The fellowship culminates in July 2026 with a trip to South Africa.
This is my 20th year teaching. This is a humbling 20th Anniversay celebration of this amazing career 💕

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