Awakening The Great Leader In Me.
The first school term of the year started on 3rd March 2020. I remember entering my Primary Five classroom and meeting learners who could barely express themselves when asked any question. Why? Well, they hardly spoke a word of English and evidently had really low self-esteem. To be honest, I felt so discouraged and completely unsure about what I could possibly do for such a group of children.
Later that evening, as I reflected upon the day’s events, I asked myself a couple of questions, “What if it is up to me to actually bring about the positive change needed in this class? How am I going to do it? How can I impart confidence in my learners?”
I genuinely believe that confidence is one of the greatest drivers for learning. It enables one to freely express themselves in and out of the classroom. The children would be able to voice what they know and ask about whatever they do not understand.
One afternoon, I went ahead and had a candid conversation with my pupils. We discussed how and what their responses were when asked questions in class. We talked about how their timidness negatively affects their learning outcomes. In spite of barely speaking Lusoga, their mother tongue, I managed to express myself the best way I could to help them understand the importance of trying. I reminded them that because I was daring to speak in their local language, I was practicing and chances are high that I will get better by the day. I encouraged them to keep trying in spite of how ‘terrible’ they were convinced they sounded. I also shared with them my story and how difficult it was for me to learn English — but that I did!
Similar conversations and the fact that I have shared personal stories got the kids to relax. Today, the majority freely express themselves and their confidence increases even faster than I expected. They ask me questions both in and out of the classroom. They are bold enough to correct my mistakes when they think I am falling short. They are helping me improve my classroom leadership skills even as I help them dream bigger for their future.
I love teaching my pupils. I love seeing improvement every day. I am confident that the great leader in me is being awakened through my teaching experience. I believe that my learners will also become great leaders in our nation.
This article was written by one of our brilliant 2020/2021 fellows, Amanyire Collins. He did a Bachelors degree in Information Technology at Mbarara University, Uganda, and is currently pursuing a Masters in Health Informatics at the very same university. Collins is teaching Mathematics at Kaluuba Primary school. “The best gift I can give my nation is to inspire the next generation by teaching them 21st-century skills, good morals, and values because a transformed mind is a transformed nation,” Collins said.
