From student to teacher: My journey to discovery

My professional journey began in 2005, right after completing my A-levels, when I found myself stepping into a classroom as a temporary teacher. Fresh out of high school and eager to make a difference, I started teaching at Kuwadzana 8 Council Primary School—affectionately known as K8—nestled in the bustling community of Kuwadzana Extension.

I was assigned to a grade six class, filling in for a senior teacher. At 18, this felt like a monumental challenge. Some of my colleagues questioned if someone so young could manage a senior primary class, especially with their pivotal exams just a year away. Yet, despite my inexperience, I knew I had a natural connection with children and some leadership training from being a prefect in high school.

To my surprise and the surprise of others, I not only managed but thrived. The students exceeded expectations, and my mother, recognizing my passion and knack for teaching, even encouraged me to consider it as a career path.

Though my time at K8 was short—just a single term—it wasn’t the end of my teaching journey. Later that year, I took on another challenge at Glen View 1 High School, where I stepped in, for two terms, as a Shona teacher for Form 3 students and a guidance and counseling instructor for Form 4s. Teaching at the secondary level brought its own insights. Unlike primary school, where I had to juggle multiple subjects and nurture my students' patience and understanding, secondary teaching demanded precision, particularly in grammar lessons. Each class required thorough preparation, but with just two subjects to focus on, it was less overwhelming than primary teaching.

Looking back, those early teaching experiences were more than just jobs—they were a privilege. Working with children meant helping shape their personalities and guiding their future. The lessons I learned have stayed with me, serving as a reminder of the responsibility and honor of teaching, a role that reaches far beyond the classroom.