As is commonly known, nothing excites a teacher more than meeting successful former students, long after leaving school, especially if excelling in life. We always face exciting moments any time upon meeting my former teachers of both primary and high schools. In the recent years it has extended to lecturers that nurtured my empowerment process in university. The benefits are truly invaluable.
One of my high school teachers was acknowledged in the publication titled Living Beyond Survival: No More Tiptoeing in Life. The said former high school teacher had constantly put me under pressure of authoring books, upon being attracted to my articles in the media.
Recently, I highlighted in this forum how my Total Quality Management Professor invited me to guide his soon to graduate students, on how the subject could apply to them personally or in real life. The good news is that many years thereafter, he reciprocated through being the chief guest speaker during the launch of my second publication.
Alongside, the recognition seems to be taking different dimensions. Though numerous organizational employees as well as professionals have passed through my hands, I have never been overwhelmed by the feedback on my contribution towards transformation of their lives. Why? The benefits are largely attributable to each of them personally, their employers and families, who are the most likely beneficiaries from the eventual transformation.
Nevertheless, I have in the recent past encountered some teachers who have been participants in our empowerment seminars and the feedback has been extremely overwhelming. When I visited a school that enjoyed our seminar for a combination of the form 3 & 4 students as well as all their teachers, in May 2018, I realized that they have upto now been in full praise of our empowerment, session.
As at 2017, the performance of the Karatina based school had nosedived for three years consecutively, and had a mean grade of 4.4 that year. The new principal had listened to my presentation to Nyeri KESSA Conference in February 2018, in Mombasa.
Upon visiting the Karatina school in May 2018, the principal acquired several copies of the KICD approved Career Dynamics in the 21st Century and immediately indicated need for a seminar. In view of the disturbing performance status of the school, the principal felt that ALL teachers had to attend the seminar for the form three and four classes as well.
The seriousness of the seminar is that the principal conducted a roll call to ensure that all teachers attended the seminar without fail. The outcome is that the school acquired a mean grade of 5.05 in 2018, 5.5 in 2019 and 5.8 in 2020, thus seemingly being continually on the uppward trend. Perhaps, results could have been better, had the teachers attended their own seminar, whose dissemination approach is totally different from that of students.
In February, this year, I was abrumptly engaged to conduct a seminar for about 60 teachers of one high school. Upon visiting the school this term, the feedback was quite exciting. The performance of the school had holistically improved admirebly. Particularly, the attitudes and discipline levels of teachers had improved. One teacher revealed that they not only ably guided the students on how to study for the recent exams, but also how to make the right choices, particularly for their university education.
No wonder the school’s mean grade improved from 7.731 in 2019 to 8.039 in 2020. whereas 274 students qualifed to join university in 2020 compared to 227 the previous year. That indicates an improvement of 47 or 20.7%. Did we make that improvement to happen? Largely, we contributed to the improvement. That effort is not attributable to only high performing schools. Why?
In yet another school where the seminar was meant for teachers, in February 2020, the school’s mean grade improved from 3.5 to 4.4. Upon visiting the school this week, I encountered one of the teachers, just near the school’s gate. I sought to know whether she could recall me upon unmasking myself.
“Yes indeed, I can never forget your seminar of February Last year.” Why so? I enquired. “I no longer work just focusing on monetary benefits, ever since. Further, I am always excited guiding my students on the same, as we learnt during the seminar,” revealed the seemingly excited youthful teacher.
Evidently, excitement of teachers who have passed through our seminars, whenever we interact, continues inspiring us more and more . The good news is that through the teachers, our empowerment strategy ends up being continually extended to students too. As such, our efforts of empowering even a few teachers continue being felt, long beyond one examination year, isn’t it?
Rgds
Mwangi Wanjumbi (MKIM)
Personal Empowerment Coach
Seasoned Speaker/Consultant/Trainer on Strategy, Performance, Change Management and Leadership.
Officially UNSUNG Architect of CBC
Author of 1. KICD approved Career Dynamics in the 21st Century, 2. Living Beyond Survival:No More Tiptoeing in Life
- The 21st Century Student:Are You Creating The Future Today? Also, Retired 5 Year Monthly Strategy Columnist (2013 – 2018) for The SME Today Magazine Phone 254772516210
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