Daraja hired three new teachers for 2013, and before classes began, the academy held a workshop for new and old teachers called “Teachers Beyond Tradition.” Carol Mwangi, Transition Program Coordinator and former Daraja teacher, helped run the workshop. “It gives teachers a touch of methodologies on how to teach differently – not how Kenyan teachers have traditionally done it,” she explained. “Kenyan teachers have a tradition in teaching. They don’t have the practical part of it, they don’t have varied styles or methodologies, and as a result they don’t consider the different learning styles we have for different students. The class ends up being boring, the teacher ends up not being boosted, and the students end up not in touch with the subject. Now what we are trying to do is give methods so the class can be lively, the teacher can be motivated, and there’s that yearning for tomorrow – the teacher wants to wake up and teach, the student wants to wake up and go to class. But in a traditional class, the teacher doesn’t even feel like they want to go to class, nor does the student, because there’s monotony and no variation. We want teachers who are spirited, who have high motivation and techniques – teachers who are changed.” Below, check out some of those changed teachers – Daraja’s three new staff members James, Elizabeth, and Carol.
James, far left, takes notes during the training
James Maina
Teaches Physics and Math
From Nyeri
Before Daraja, taught at Gakawa Secondary School for four years
How do you feel about Daraja so far? “I find it a good place to be. I can say that it is a dream come true because I am with students of the standard I wish to have. At many schools, the students who come there are from the surroundings – they are the ones who didn’t make it to the good schools, so their marks are a bit a low. So, whatever you try
What is it like teaching Daraja girls? “When you work with a student who’s motivated to learn, you also feel motivated and you’re able to fulfill your full potential. But, when you’re not teaching motivated students, sometimes you’ll reach a point where you’ll not even be prepared for the lesson because whatever you do students don’t care so you’re not motivated at all.”
What’s the best part of being a teacher? “I’ve come to like teaching as a profession because you’re handling kids and you feel that you’re taking care of them. When you’re taking care of somebody, you’re giving back to the community.”
You used to work at a mixed-gender school; what do you think of working at a girls-only school? “Sometime the boys are rebellious –there’s something that you wish to be done and you find the girls will do it. So when I work at a school like this, the girls are loyal and ready to listen to you and less resistant to you as teacher.”
Is it challenging connecting with teenage girls? “I’ve connected well with them. Just be friendly to them and engage them!”
So, you’re a proponent of girls’ education? “The girl child has been neglected for long. Girls’ education is necessary because they need to be in the same spot as boys who have benefited from past traditions.”
Did Daraja’s staff training help you? “That training was kind of an awakening to me because the kind of learning we’re taught in college is just general, but the one that we had that day we were shown different ways in which you can make a lesson more engaging between teachers and students. In other schools, they won’t tell you how to handle a lesson – you’ll do it in the old traditional ways you’ve done. When you’re introduced to new ways, you tend to apply them.
- Elizabeth works with Teacher Crispus during a group training activity
Elizabeth Njoroge
Teaches English Literature
From Naivasha
Before Daraja, taught at Mathaithi Girls Secondary School in Karatina for six months
How is Daraja different from other schools at which you’ve taught? “Daraja is a nice place – I’m loving it, and I hope to be here for the longest time possible. The girls are so disciplined as compared to the ones I had before because I think they’re from humble backgrounds – since they’re grateful to be here, they behave well.”
Why is girls’ education important to you? “When you educate a girl you educate a nation because she’s going to transfer her knowledge to her community. Boys don’t have the same important roles in families as women.”
Why do you teach English Literature? “It’s my best subject – I love literature! My favorite author is Ngugi Wathiohgo because he talks about what goes on in Africa – you get to learn African cultures from him. Right now I’m teaching ‘The River Between’ to Form 4’s.
What’s fun about being a teacher? “I get to interact with students. At Daraja there are so many communities! I’m getting to learn from them what happens in various communities. Being a teacher I always get to learn, and a teacher always remains young.”
What tips would you give new teachers working at an all-girls secondary school? “Understand the girls first – understand that [if they’re difficult,] that’s their age – they have to pass through that stage. If you identify that she has a certain problem, ask her about her problem, and don’t create a gap that says ‘I’m a teacher and you’re a student.’ Instead, try to talk to them.”
Did you enjoy the training? “It was great and said some things I’ve never even thought of. I learned how to use different methods to avoid monotony and I apply it in class. It’s unique because at my previous school I never saw such training being brought to the teachers. Teaching beyond tradition allows you to involve students more. Traditional Kenyan teaching is teacher–based: the teacher talks for forty minutes, the students are staring, and they wind up falling asleep. In this modern way they wont be tired before the lesson ends.”
- Caroline helps students with homework
Caroline Wachuaka Muraya
Teaches Geography , Math
From Murang’a
Before Daraja, taught at Laikipia Airbase Secondary School for two years
What’s your favorite subject, and is there an assumption that usually men are math teachers? “I’ve been teaching math for the longest time – since I graduated college. I love it. I love helping the weak students. I mentor the girls – most believe math is hard but when they’re taught by a lady teacher they say, ‘She made it; I believe I can make it.’”
How is life different here from previous school? “Daraja is good and the kids are motivated. They have a thrill of life and the environment is good for teaching and learning. I say the environment is good because classrooms are closer to the office, the ground gives the teacher a way out – for example, if it’s really hot they can leave the classroom and teach under the trees. And, the distance from the dorms to classes is not long so it’s convenient for the students. The materials available at the school are good – the technology is giving students a great advantage since they can Google things and learn more.”
What’s the best part about teaching? “Teaching a concept and the students getting it right – it’s just ‘wow.’”
Why do you like teaching girls? “The girls are the ones who’ll be the leaders of their houses, their homesteads. Once you teach them they’ll be able to transfer their knowledge to the next generation, and on and on.”
Are teenagers are hard to work with? “Yeah, it’s hard working with teenagers, especially in a mixed school. It’s worse there because they start coupling up. But, in a single-sex school it’s easier – they’re closed out from some of the challenges mixed schools face.”
How do you connect with students? “I share my own experiences, like how I was able to overcome things. I also engage them in life skills.”
What is different about your new job at Daraja? “I think the way the students are handled – they’re handled with a lot of dignity. The administration is also down-to-earth – it’s humble. There’s no bureaucracy – it’s been broken down.”
How was the workshop? “The workshop was awesome and I think it should be done for several days. There are a lot of things I learned and I’m trying to practice them. At my former school I was never taught that. Most schools in Kenya are pretty traditional and most teachers are traditional, except those who are passion-driven. Here we are making use of the environment, we are engaging the students more, and it’s learner-centered, whereas the traditional method of teaching [in Kenya] is teacher-centered.
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