Erika ea.
I am Erika Engelbrecht-Aldworth, an educator, researcher, and advocate for teacher well-being with 24 years of experience. Guided by compassion, my work spans teaching, counselling, curriculum design, leadership, and writing to empower educators globally.
I hold a Bachelor of Arts in English and Psychology and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education from the University of South Africa, a Master of Philosophy in Personal and Professional Leadership from the University of Johannesburg, and a Professional Teaching Certificate in Higher Education from Harvard University, where I achieved a 99% final score – a milestone in my academic career.
I am pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy in Well-being at the University of Pretoria, focusing on teacher well-being and burnout mitigation, with completion expected by 2027. I have taught diverse subjects, including English, Afrikaans, Psychology, Sociology, Life Orientation, Social Sciences, Business Studies, and History, from Grade 4 to postgraduate levels. Currently, I lecture at the South African College of Applied Psychology, teaching Subject Methods English for Senior and Further Education and Training Phases and assessing Work Integrated Learning. My 15 years of leadership, with rapid promotions to leadership roles, encompass curriculum development and wellness initiatives. My counselling experience, gained through private practice and school roles, informs my coaching and well-being programs. I volunteered as a Trauma Counsellour at SAPS for a period of one year. As an assessor for the Gauteng Department of Education and an advisory specialist for the Harvard Business Review, academic rigour has been part of my professional skills.
My initiatives aim to transform education through platforms like the South African Teacher Well-being Initiative and The Teacher Coach and The Teacher Coach Well-being Community on WhatsApp supports a growing global audience of just under 200 teachers worldwide at present. As founding editor of Teachers Matter, I deliver research-based tools worldwide. My book, Being Well While Teaching: A Comprehensive Evidence-Based Well-Being Guide for South African Teachers (January 2025), is gaining traction. I lead thought leadership projects like “Trauma-informed Leadership” in collaboration with the University of Johannesburg’s Education Leadership Department, and facilitated workshops with Stadio, University of the Free State, SOSkoleondersteuning, and Solidariteit.
Named a 2025 Women of Stature Awards Finalist in Coaching and Mentoring, I drive change through research and innovative projects, informing educational practice worldwide.
I am pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy in Well-being at the University of Pretoria, focusing on teacher well-being and burnout mitigation, with completion expected by 2027. I have taught diverse subjects, including English, Afrikaans, Psychology, Sociology, Life Orientation, Social Sciences, Business Studies, and History, from Grade 4 to postgraduate levels. Currently, I lecture at the South African College of Applied Psychology, teaching Subject Methods English for Senior and Further Education and Training Phases and assessing Work Integrated Learning. My 15 years of leadership, with rapid promotions to leadership roles, encompass curriculum development and wellness initiatives. My counselling experience, gained through private practice and school roles, informs my coaching and well-being programs. I volunteered as a Trauma Counsellour at SAPS for a period of one year. As an assessor for the Gauteng Department of Education and an advisory specialist for the Harvard Business Review, academic rigour has been part of my professional skills.
My initiatives aim to transform education through platforms like the South African Teacher Well-being Initiative and The Teacher Coach and The Teacher Coach Well-being Community on WhatsApp supports a growing global audience of just under 200 teachers worldwide at present. As founding editor of Teachers Matter, I deliver research-based tools worldwide. My book, Being Well While Teaching: A Comprehensive Evidence-Based Well-Being Guide for South African Teachers (January 2025), is gaining traction. I lead thought leadership projects like “Trauma-informed Leadership” in collaboration with the University of Johannesburg’s Education Leadership Department, and facilitated workshops with Stadio, University of the Free State, SOSkoleondersteuning, and Solidariteit.
Named a 2025 Women of Stature Awards Finalist in Coaching and Mentoring, I drive change through research and innovative projects, informing educational practice worldwide.
