Teacher Tells How Supplies From Temu Are Tranforming Classroom, Boosting Learning

The classroom was not much to look at, with its cracked windows and a handful of posters – some torn and faded – plastered onto the walls. But 27-year-old Sarah Makhetloane from Lufhereng, Soweto, was determined to transform it into an inspiring learning space for her Grade 4 and 5 pupils.

“I try to bring warmth through stories, song and love – but I know in my heart that they deserve more,” said Sarah. “They deserve to learn in a space that reflects their potential, a space filled with color, hope and dignity.”

Sarah, who teaches about 180 primary school pupils, turned to Temu, the global e-commerce platform, and found a wide variety of vibrant cartoon stickers, bright posters and motivational stamps that she could use to spruce up her classroom.

Caption: Sarah uses cartoon stickers to brighten up her classroom.

When she was exploring the platform for classroom supplies, Sarah said affordability and functionality were key factors as the purchase would be coming out of her own pocket. “I considered durability, learner safety, functionality, and of course affordability. I also wanted products that could be reused in creative ways across different subjects,” she said.

Previously, Sarah used golden star stickers bought from elsewhere to motivate her students who were top achievers. But she realized that such a reward system did not recognize other learners who perhaps only saw incremental improvements in their work.

She said that the new motivational stamps she bought, which carry messages like “Keep trying!” and “Well done!”, allow her to encourage a wider range of students’ efforts.

“The stamps promote inclusivity and fairness,” Sarah said. “Even learners who struggle now feel acknowledged for their effort, and that makes all the difference.”

Caption: Figure 2: Motivational stamps from Temu that Sarah uses to encourage her students with.

The reading corner in her classroom has also undergone a transformation with bright posters and decorative stickers, turning it into a warm, welcoming space where learners feel inspired to read and participate.

Sarah hopes the additions to the classroom will make an impact on her students.

“Most of our learners come to class with limited resources, but they’re full of hope,” she said, adding that some of her students lack proper shoes or uniforms.

“As teachers, we have to meet that hope with creativity and encouragement,” she said.

Sara Tsilo shared her Temu experience with the questions below :
Introduction/Context:
What’s your name?

My name is Sarah Makhetloane.

What’s your age?

I am 27 years old.

Where do you live? (nearest city)

I live in Lufhereng, Soweto, just outside Johannesburg, South Africa.

Do you live with your partners, parents, children, etc?

I live with my husband and our six-year-old child.

Please tell us a bit about yourself and what a typical day looks like for you?

I am a passionate Grade 4 and 5 teacher at a primary school. My day starts early, by 07:30 I am already in class and we begin with a morning routine with my learners- a short song, a prayer and we recite the Preamble of South Africa. Around 08: 45, I start with the first lesson of the day, then I continue with managing vibrant and busy classrooms of about 45-50 learners per class (I have at least 4 classes) and ensuring every learner receives the attention they need. After school, at 14:30-15:30, I often assist learners across grade 4 to 7 with extra mural activities, such as literature study, poetry, story writing and storytelling. At home, I enjoy cooking, and spending quality time with my family.

Exploring All Things Home and Temu:
What is your favourite classroom product and why?

My favourite classroom products are the set of motivational stamps and the decoration stickers. Even though I have not used these stamps and décor stickers yet in my classroom, as schools are still closed. I know that my learners are going to be happy about them. I had mostly used the golden star stickers I bought at other stores. However, I had come to realize that they did not cater for every learner in my classroom. The golden star sticker, is often used to reward high achievement. This leads to excluding learners who are putting in genuine effort but may not achieve top success. My classrooms include a wide range of learners, struggling with reading, language barriers or any other learning difficulties. Therefore, the graded classroom stamps would promote inclusivity and fairness.

How has it enhanced your quality of life and/or contributed positively to the vibe in your classroom?

.The graded stamps are going to bring about inclusivity, appreciation, improvement, consistency, participation, creativity and best of all, effort in lessons. A simple “Well done” or “Keep trying!” message would light up their faces, as they would feel like they are also given the attention, as the top achievers. As for the decoration stickers and the vibrant charts, they are going to transform our reading corner into a vibrant and inviting space, creating a more welcoming environment that encourages participation

What were some of the key considerations in selecting the specific products?

I considered durability, learner safety, functionality, and of course affordability. I also wanted products that could be reused in creative ways across different subjects.

Can you tell us about the experience of shopping for classroom products on Temu?

My experience shopping on Temu was smooth and enjoyable. The app is user-friendly, the product descriptions are detailed, and the delivery was much faster than I expected. I appreciated the range of budget-friendly teaching tools.

In which category of products did you find the most value?

I found the most value in the educational supplies and storage/organisation category.

How did you discover Temu, and what specific need or desire led you to shop there?

I discovered Temu through Social media platforms such as Facebook, Tick tock and Instagram.

What are some of your favourite items to shop on Temu?

I would love to buy motivational stickers, classroom posters, storage bins, and craft supplies for learner activities.

Do you have a funny or memorable story from your Temu shopping experience?

Yes! I ordered what I thought were large cartoon stickers to decorate my classroom’s reading corner. The pictures on the app made them look big and bold. But when they arrived, I had to laugh… They were tiny and adorable!

How does the affordability of platforms like Temu influence your decision to shop there?

Affordability plays a huge role. As a teacher, I often spend out of pocket to enhance my classroom. Temu helps stretch my budget further without compromising on quality.

Would you recommend Temu to your friends for décor and practical purchases?

Absolutely! Once my classroom is all done and decorated, all my colleagues would be asking me where I had purchased my décor items from, and I’ll happily recommend Temu to them.

Is there anything else you’d like to share about your experience with Temu?

I truly appreciate the affordability and variety Temu offers, especially for teachers like me who are passionate about creating inspiring learning spaces. I look forward to exploring more items for both classroom and home use