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Lucy MwandawiroLucy Mwandawiro is an experienced teacher who has been teaching students chemistry at the Aga Khan Academy Mombasa for 10 years. She has also taken on a role as a coordinator for the Educating Girls in Science project in the Academy’s Professional Development and Outreach department in addition to her teaching responsibilities. Her commitment to the school both academically and socially has impacted the school in a significant way.

Mrs Mwandawiro is a proud to be Kenyan. She studied at Kenyatta University where she was able to earn a degree in education. “I was so excited once I graduated and earned my degree,” stated Mrs Mwandawiro. In addition to her Bachelor of Education in science, she also holds a degree in environmental chemistry from the University of Nairobi.

Before coming to the Academy, Mrs Mwandawiro taught at the Jaffery Academy in both Nairobi and Mombasa. She was also involved in the government schools as she worked in the Teacher Service Commission. She became one of the faculty members at the Aga Khan Academy Mombasa 10 years ago. “This is my 11th year and I am proud to be a teacher,” she says emphatically. Although Mrs Mwandawiro had been considering teaching since her college days, she was not always sure that it was the career for her. However, over time she came to enjoy teaching. She explains that teaching is a career which comes with many rewarding aspects.  For Mrs Mwandawiro, the most satisfaction comes from when students understand what is being taught. She says, “It is just so rewarding seeing a concept change from hard to easy for a student.” She also says that “another rewarding aspect of being a chemistry teacher is when students link chemistry to their everyday life.” 

Mrs Mwandawiro is also a dorm parent in the residential programme at the Academy. In her opinion, the residence has an atmosphere where students nurture good habits, develop independence and set high standards for themselves. In addition, she says that “the residences are a wonderful way to let students from different parts of the world bond together and learn from each other’s cultures.”

Mrs Mwandawiro appreciates the opportunities for professional development at the Academy. “I learned different and effective ways to approach teaching and learning that were friendlier to my students. I like the way the Academy believes that teachers are still learning.”

In addition, she cites the values system informed by the Aga Khan Curricular Strands that make the Academy unique as we strive to be ethical people who respect and accommodate others who are different from us.

Mrs Mwandawiro has been an encouraging teacher at the Academy for 11 years now and has inspired many students.  With a Bachelor of Education in science, she has helped many students in the Middle Years and Diploma Programmes, as well as those beyond the Academy. Through her experiences at the Academy, she has learnt and helped others learn as well. 

30 November 2016

By Sara Alidina, year 8 (The Reporters)

Photo by Saher Budhwani, year 7 (The Reporters)

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