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Exploring teachers’ experiences of supporting the socio-emotional well-being of learners with Dyslexia in South African mainstream classrooms

Thesis (MEd(Psych))--Stellenbosch University, 2026.

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Main Author: Wienekus, Cara
Other Authors: Petersen, Melanie
Format: Thesis
Language:English
Published: Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University 2026
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access_status_str Open Access
author Wienekus, Cara
author2 Petersen, Melanie
author_browse Petersen, Melanie
Wienekus, Cara
author_facet Petersen, Melanie
Wienekus, Cara
author_sort Wienekus, Cara
collection Thesis
dc_rights_str_mv Stellenbosch University
description Thesis (MEd(Psych))--Stellenbosch University, 2026.
format Thesis
id oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/135553
institution Stellenbosch University (South Africa)
language English
last_indexed 2026-06-10T12:40:57.522Z
license_str Other — see source repository
provenance_str_mv Harvested via OAI-PMH from SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository
publishDate 2026
publishDateRange 2026
publishDateSort 2026
publisher Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
publisherStr Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
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source_str SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository
spelling oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/135553 Exploring teachers’ experiences of supporting the socio-emotional well-being of learners with Dyslexia in South African mainstream classrooms Wienekus, Cara Petersen, Melanie Pollard, Zelda Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Education. Dept. of Educational Psychology. Thesis (MEd(Psych))--Stellenbosch University, 2026. Wienekus, C. 2026. Exploring teachers’ experiences of supporting the socio-emotional well-being of learners with Dyslexia in South African mainstream classrooms. Unpublished masters thesis. Stellenbosch: Stellenbosch University [online]. Available: https://scholar.sun.ac.za/items/0883f936-a33c-4396-9ba4-a4eb95d02eb8 Inclusive education remains a central priority in South Africa, yet teachers continue to face significant challenges in supporting the socio-emotional well-being of learners with dyslexia in mainstream classrooms. This study explored teachers’ lived experiences of promoting inclusion and emotional support for learners with dyslexia within diverse educational contexts. A qualitative multiple case study design was employed, drawing on data from semi-structured interviews, classroom observations, reflective essays, and document analysis. Thematic analysis, guided by CHAT, was used to interpret how teachers navigate the interplay between personal, pedagogical, and systemic factors in their practices. Six overarching themes emerged: evolving teacher identity and practice; learners’ emotional experiences; inclusive teaching strategies; systemic influences and school support; knowledge, beliefs, and understanding of dyslexia; and teacher well-being and Emotional Labour. The findings highlight teachers’ deep sense of vocation, empathy, and self-directed professional growth, alongside persistent systemic barriers, including limited training, resource inequities, and inconsistent policy implementation. Teachers demonstrated resilience through reflective practice, peer collaboration, and faith-based coping strategies, yet often carried the emotional and instructional burden of inclusion alone. The study concludes that sustainable inclusion for learners with dyslexia requires strengthened teacher training, early identification systems, and coordinated support across school communities. By illuminating teachers’ voices and experiences, this research contributes to the growing body of knowledge on inclusive education. It underscores the importance of addressing both pedagogical and socio-emotional dimensions of learning support. Masters 2026-04-01T10:30:36Z 2026-04-01T10:30:36Z 2026-03 Thesis https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/135553 en Stellenbosch University 229 pages application/pdf Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
spellingShingle Wienekus, Cara
Exploring teachers’ experiences of supporting the socio-emotional well-being of learners with Dyslexia in South African mainstream classrooms
title Exploring teachers’ experiences of supporting the socio-emotional well-being of learners with Dyslexia in South African mainstream classrooms
title_full Exploring teachers’ experiences of supporting the socio-emotional well-being of learners with Dyslexia in South African mainstream classrooms
title_fullStr Exploring teachers’ experiences of supporting the socio-emotional well-being of learners with Dyslexia in South African mainstream classrooms
title_full_unstemmed Exploring teachers’ experiences of supporting the socio-emotional well-being of learners with Dyslexia in South African mainstream classrooms
title_short Exploring teachers’ experiences of supporting the socio-emotional well-being of learners with Dyslexia in South African mainstream classrooms
title_sort exploring teachers experiences of supporting the socio emotional well being of learners with dyslexia in south african mainstream classrooms
url https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/135553
work_keys_str_mv AT wienekuscara exploringteachersexperiencesofsupportingthesocioemotionalwellbeingoflearnerswithdyslexiainsouthafricanmainstreamclassrooms