By Shirley Genga
My roots
I sort of stumbled into lecturing. Initially, I thought I would be a lawyer, but I lacked the thick skin that goes with the profession. After my undergraduate studies in Education, I did my masters in Linguistics and Communication. Part time, I taught — it was then that I discovered I was good at it. My passion grew and I returned for my PhD at 30, completing five years later.
What I love about my job
I enjoy interacting with young people and my job provides such an avenue. Most of all, I love the fact that I have a very flexible schedule. I can teach and do my research very easily and comfortably. Being a lecturer also opens up many doors. Apart from teaching, I am a Communications Consultant with the Ministry of State for Planning, National Development and Vision 2030 and have been the Editor behind numerous government policy blueprints such as the Vision 2030-Medium Term Plan, launched last year. The experience has helped me beef up my knowledge of government policies and fundamental issues that affect the economy.
Challenges
The biggest challenge is the student population, especially in parallel programmes. A big class limits interaction with students on an individual level and thus makes tracking a student’s progress very difficult.
Balance
As a mother of one girl, balancing work and parenting is not easy. But I have learnt to prioritise and pray— this helps me cope.
Future
I’m very passionate about human rights. I have attended three human rights courses in Europe and South Africa. I see myself using the interdisciplinary approach in relation to human rights to do research and write more articles — particularly on communication and affects human rights.
My advice
To be a lecturer, you not only have to be a good communicator but you also have to get top marks. You must also be ready to work hard and continue reading and researching. For a lecturer, you never stop learning. A lot of young aspiring lecturers often worry about whether students who are older than them — a common trend in today’s society — will respect them. I became a lecturer when I was 24 and at first I was very intimidated because some of my students were older than me and I was about two or three years older than the younger students. But I discovered that students will respond to you as long as you exude confidence and are knowledgeable in what you are teaching.
Dr Teresa Kinyari Mwendwa, 41,
Medical Physiology, University of Nairobi
Moulding future doctors
Roots
Ever since I was a child, I knew I wanted to be a teacher. Because I also had an interest in medicine, being a lecturer in medicine was the perfect call for me.
After completing my degree I returned to school for Masters in Public Health, majoring in Epidemiology, at the University of Washington. Then I came back home to teach.
What do you love about your job?
Medical Physiology is similar to advanced human biology; therefore, it forms the basis for medical training for all other branches of medicine from nursing to pharmacy. The course also keeps changing so I have to stay abreast with the latest information — something I enjoy doing.
I also love to interact with young minds, who not only make teaching very interesting but also offer an opportunity to learn from them because they also carry out a lot of research.
Challenges
The greatest challenge is trying to build a relationship with students. Medicine as a course can be overwhelming. These students come with A’s; it is our job to try to help them deal with the academic load, which includes anatomy, biochemistry and physiology for the first year.
The units are very heavy and demanding and we give tests every week. If a student is not prepared they find it hard to adapt. We guide them on how to set up discussion groups to help in revision.
Balance
Apart from being a lecturer, I’m a wife, and a mother to two girls (Doris 12 and Jane eight). Besides, my husband is a surgeon and as can be imagined, my life does get very hectic, but I have learnt how to prioritise, or important things will pass me.
Plans for the future
I would love to do research on infectious diseases. To look at patterns of diseases and see how they affect the population, so as to help inform national policy and guidelines.
Advice
Being a lecturer is not just about imparting knowledge, you also have to be concerned about the students.
In a class you will often have students with school fees problems, social problems and students who are not performin. As a lecturer it is your job to identify them early and to try to offer assistance. Apart from that, it is also my job to develop in my students a character to empathise with their patients so they can be great doctors.
lastly, teaching is a calling, for which you must be willing to go the extra mile.
Roseline Shimuli Oyumbe, 35, Department of Biblical and Religious Studies, Daystar University
Roots
When I completed my Bachelor of Education degree in English and Literature, I did not want to teach. Instead, I joined a group called Fellowship of Christian Unions (FOCUS).
Working with students was very fulfilling. My task was mentoring and leadership development.
After a year, I pursued a certificate in Biblical and Cross Cultural studies in the UK.
When I returned, I enrolled at Nairobi Evangelical Graduate School of Theology (NESGT) for my Masters in Christian Education.
A year later, in March 2004, I left work to stay home and take care of my baby. I enjoyed being a housewife but as months progressed, I felt the need to work.
So when I received a call from Daystar in August, 2004, I reported immediately to teach a Bible course.
What I love about my job
Being a lecturer or a teacher enables you to impact on the lives of tomorrow’s leaders. My job also enables me to interact with scholars from all over the world; I get to attend conferences within and outside Kenya and to travel to different parts of the world. Besides, lecturing is a very flexible job.
Challenges
Today we have very large classes, which makes giving quality time to each student a difficult task. In the department I head, the students are fresh from high school; young and wild. Getting them to follow rules or to do basic things like assignments is a challenge.
Disciplining is also tricky. If, for example, you catch a student cheating, you have no choice but to give them a zero even when you know that it will lead to them failing.
Balance
I have to be a good mother to my three sons (aged six, four and two), a good wife and an excellent lecturer and administrator since I coordinate the pre-university department. I have to prioritise my time. You cannot be a successful woman at work and home without a good husband.
My husband’s job is more flexible and when we have a crisis, like the house helper absconding, I having a morning class or attending a week-long conference, he stays with the children and leaves for work when I return home.
Future
I want to pursue my PhD and write books. I would like to write educational books, self help books and, also, my biography.
Advice
To be a good lecturer you need to spend time reading to expand your knowledge. You should never get to class with a big head. You must treat students with dignity and respect.
The profession is also not just about teaching — you need to get personal with your students; you become like a second parent. Know who your students are, their background, what they are experiencing and help them to not only excel in school but to become better human beings.