As Teachers celebrated the world Teachers’ Day today, I took time to reflect on my journey as a Teacher.
When I completed secondary school in the year 2000 at Chadiza Secondary School, my earlier plan was to become an engineer. I was going to be Engineer Lackson this time. Whatever happened for me not to go that route, only God knows.
My teaching career started when I became a Sunday School Teacher in my church, Deeper Life Bible Church. As a school leaver I spent time teaching Sunday School children.
I then enrolled for Primary Teaching at Chipata Teacher’s Training College now Chipata college of Education in 2002 and graduated in 2003 with a PrimaryTeachers Certificate. While waiting for deployment in government I decided to offer my voluntary service at Kasenengwa Basic School then where, apart from handling primary classes, I was tasked to teach mathematics to Grades 8 and 9. Those I taught have a good story to tell.
I was then deployed in government in 2005 and posted to Chama District at Gombe Primary School where I was accommodated in a grass thatched house. I nearly regretted ever becoming a teacher. But I quickly decided to go and pursue university education. I was enrolled for Bachelor of Arts with Education at the University of Zambia – UNZA (The Highest Learning Institution in Zambia) under distance learning. where I majored in Civic Education.
At UNZA I majored in Civic Education.While studying at unza, I was transferred from. Gombe Primary to Chama Basic, then, where I taught Civics and Mathematics to Grade 8 and 9. I then graduated from unza in 2013 and was immediately transferred to Chama Boarding Secondary School where I started teaching Civic Education.
In then enrolled for a Masters Programme at the University of Zambia on full time now. I graduated in 2018 with a Master of Education in Civic Education. After my masters programme, I was transferred to Kalovya Day Secondary School within Chama District.
However, before i could report at Kalovya Day, i went on leave and used that period to work as a part time lecturer at Chalimbana University until the Teaching Service Commission (The Employer of all Teachers) wrote me to be fully attached to Chalimbana University till now. I’m so grateful.
That has been my teaching journey from a Sunday School Teacher to a University Lecturer, now training teachers. It calls for God’s Grace and Hard Work.
I hope I have inspired someone somewhere with this story.
(C) LACKSON LUNGU