The Global Teacher’s Staff Room

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

So yes, my name is Joanna. I’m a teacher first of all. Once a teacher, always a teacher. I’m from a family of teachers. Three of my four grandparents were teachers, both my parents were teachers, so it seems to run in the blood somehow. I was fortunate enough to have worked in Malawi for 11 years teaching and leading an early years department there. And that was like the most formative period of my professional life, I would say, just because of the things I learned and the most amazing community that I was part of. I try to be a leader, as is appropriate. I’m a mother and I’m also a traveler. Yes, I love going to new places, learning about people, trying to understand different ways of living. And basically, I’m happy when I work in a community with other people. So that’s what I like to do. That’s me.

What made you leave the teaching profession and how did Ubuntu Education start?

That’s a good question. Because I love teaching, so why leave the classroom? Over my teaching career, I took on some leadership roles and I really enjoyed the sort of coaching and mentoring aspect of that, the professional development. It’s another kind of teaching, but this time, teaching teachers alongside teaching the children. And I guess I could feel the impact of that, because ultimately, I was actually reaching more children, even if indirectly. As I was helping those around me to also grow. So yes, it was partly because of that. But then, I also relocated to the UK during the pandemic, to be near my family. When I got back to the UK, I did a few years back in the UK system but realised that I missed African education a lot. It was therefore an opportunity with Ubuntu Education, so I joined the team and haven’t looked back. It’s actually great to be amongst teachers all the time. But then, I do miss the classroom.