My Transformation From Fresh Graduate to Seasoned Mathematics Teacher

By Lilian Nyaranga

Fresh out of college with my freshly earned education degree, all set to make maths and chemistry the coolest subjects in Kenya, I was buzzing with excitement. I had big dreams: Me, the maths whiz, turning students into top-notch scientists, not just locally but also globally.

Picture it: Me in front of a class, dropping maths knowledge like it’s hot, and the kids soaking it all up like sponges. I dreamt of exams filled with my students’ perfect grades of A’s and B’s, (and the occasional C, because let’s be real, nobody’s perfect).

Fast forward to my first workstation at a great girls’ school in Western Kenya. There I was, stepping into a Form 2 class, all set to wow them with the wonders of Pythagoras Theorem and Co. The girls seemed to get it – every time I asked, “Are we together?” I got a sea of nods (though in hindsight, that might have been more about mob psychology than actually getting the maths).

Then, less than a month in, reality struck. I found myself summoned to the headteacher’s office, facing an anonymous student letter that claimed my teaching speed could rival a speeding bullet. This left me feeling both hurt and disappointed. Why hadn’t the students approached me directly in class? Why did they feign understanding during the lessons? Yet, amidst these swirling questions, I also recognized it as a stark wake-up call: a reminder of the big gap between the theoretical teachings of college and the practical realities of the classroom. The second shocker to my teaching journey came from my students’ exam scores. Let’s just say they were more ‘needs improvement’ than ‘star student’.  Welcome to the world of teaching, where humility is part of the lesson plan.

Teaching maths sure knows how to bring you back down to earth. I learned that just because I love maths, it doesn’t mean everyone else feels the same. For many students, maths class is like trying to climb Mount Longonot in Crocs – a scary and slippery ordeal. Ever seen someone pull out their phone to add simple numbers? Yep! That’s maths phobia in action.

I realized I was only reaching a small fraction (maths pun intended) of my students. Over time, teaching in various categories of schools, to students of all abilities, I found the maths struggle was real for the majority. And with packed curriculums, big classes, and the million other things teachers juggle, this can be tough. A 2016 KCSE analysis was sobering: only about 10% scored A to C+ in the mathematics paper, while nearly half were in the D and E territory.

But here’s the deal: Maths is crucial, and not just for those dreaming of a STEM career. Basic numeracy is the foundation for critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity – important life skills for everyone, no matter what careers they choose in life.

At Elimu Shop, we’re rolling up our sleeves to tackle this head-on. Our mission? To revolutionize the perception of maths and science,  turning them from daunting to delightful. So, stay tuned and keep an eye on this space!