Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Personal Information
Keyqualification
Languages
References
Timeline
Generic
KIRUJA CHRISTINE GACHERI

KIRUJA CHRISTINE GACHERI

Music Teacher
Nairobi,N/A

Summary

I"m a skilled Music Teacher offering 26 years of experience as an educator, leader and performer with strong attention to detail with creative and friendly style. Certified in Music study in Kenya, i"m a seasoned Music teacher with 26 years of experience teaching students various music instruments, including descant recorder and voice. Innovative and open-minded individual with thirst for adventure and challenges. Proficient in monitoring student performance and achievement, devising unique lesson plans for each grade level and overseeing rehearsals.


An enthusiastic Music Teacher eager to impart love of music as well as history, composition, harmony, vocal techniques and performance experience to music students. Exceptional skill developing performance groups and ensembles to showcase skill growth. Certified in Kenya to teach High school.

Overview

26
26
years of professional experience
18
18
years of post-secondary education

Work History

Music Teacher

Nile Road Secondary School
02.2012 - Current
  • Coach students to play various songs on descant recorder.
  • Teach curriculum enhanced lesson plans to educate [20 students about fundamentals and history of music.
  • Teach students to identify different instruments from instrument's sound and shape.
  • Develop a positive classroom environment by fostering open communication and inclusivity among students.
  • Enhance student understanding by incorporating diverse teaching methods and multimedia presentations.
  • Mentor new teachers in effective instructional techniques, contributing to the overall success of the music department at our school.
  • Provide hands-on learning experiences with instruments, allowing students to develop practical skills alongside their theoretical knowledge.
  • Promote creativity and self-expression through composition assignments and performance opportunities for all students.
  • Organize successful school concerts, showcasing student talent and increasing community involvement in the program.
  • Increase cultural awareness in the classroom by introducing students to a variety of musical genres from around the world.
  • Boost students'' critical thinking skills through problem-solving activities and group projects.
  • Collaborate with colleagues to design interdisciplinary lessons that connected music concepts to other subject areas.
  • Mentor students of different ages and backgrounds in music theory, composition and performance.
  • Incorporate creative activities into lessons to engage students and spark interest in music.
  • Assess student performance and provide constructive feedback to guide progress.
  • Plan and execute targeted lesson plans to instruct on music theory, music history, and performance etiquette.
  • Utilize current technology and interactive teaching methods to enhance student engagement.
  • Attend department meetings and collaborate with other teachers.
  • Gather display materials and distributed programs for shows and performances.
  • Collaborate with community arts organizations to bring real-world experiences into classrooms and provide students with opportunities for learning and growth.
  • Hold afterschool meetings and rehearsals in preparation for shows.
  • Adapt instruction to meet individual student needs to differentiate instruction to meet students' diverse learning needs and abilities.
  • Assess student learning to evaluate student learning and progress through tests, performances
  • Provide extra help and support to offer additional support to struggling students and encourage success in art subjects.
  • Supervise students during rehearsals to provide direction to students during practice sessions.

Editor

Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD)
1 2017 - 04.2022


  • Edited and revised wide array of content for accuracy, clarity and consistency.
  • Proofread, edited and evaluated final copy to verify content aligned with established guidelines.
  • Edited and reviewed content for grammar, spelling and punctuation.

Mentor

Kenyatta University in Teaching Practicum Mentorship Program
1 2016 - Current
  • Offer constructive feedback on mentee progress, enabling them to refine their skills and enhance their potential.
  • Enhance mentee performance by providing personalized guidance and support.
  • Assist mentees in setting achievable goals and creating realistic action plans for personal and professional growth.
  • Develop trust-based relationships with mentees through active listening and empathetic communication.
  • Regularly assess progress and provide feedback to support continued development.
  • Collaborate with teachers, counselors and administrators to foster access to resources and support.
  • Serve as role model for mentees by demonstrating strong values and ethical standards.
  • Monitor mentee performance consistently, identifying areas of improvement and adjusting mentorship approaches accordingly.
  • Continually assess own mentoring performance, seeking feedback from peers and mentees to ensure ongoing personal and professional growth.
  • Collaborate with fellow mentors to exchange best practices, ensuring continuous improvement of mentoring strategies.
  • Assist mentees in developing self-confidence and positive self-image.
  • Serve as a role model for professionalism, integrity, and dedication within the mentorship program environment.
  • Guide mentees in overcoming challenges by sharing personal experiences and offering practical advice.

Examiner and Assessor

Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC)
04.2015 - Current
  • Explain test processes to students
  • Contribute positively to organizational reputation by consistently demonstrating professionalism, integrity, and expertise in the role of Examiner.
  • Maintain up-to-date knowledge of council regulations to ensure accurate application assessments.
  • Monitor students during tests to avoid cheating,
  • Kept up-to-date with state and council regulation to prevent errors and fraud.
  • Maintain confidentiality and security of personal information to protect candidate privacy and prevent identity theft.
  • Conduct exams and tests, grade responses and accurately determine licensing approvals and data verification.
  • Write detailed appraisal reports for and submitted to clients or authorities.

Choir Conductor and Adjudicator

Kenya Music Festival (KMF)
1 2002 - Current

dLDevelop strong relationships with choir members, fostering a positive rehearsal environment and promoting collaboration.

  • Increase choir performance quality by conducting thorough rehearsals and providing constructive feedback.
  • Mentor young singers in developing vocal technique, resulting in improved individual performance and overall ensemble sound.
  • Lead engaging pre-concert talks for audiences, enhancing their understanding of the music being performed while promoting interest in choral singing as an art form.
  • Enhance the choir''s repertoire by researching and selecting diverse musical pieces for performances.
  • Successfully prepare choirs for annual competitions, consistently achieving top placements through rigorous practice sessions and attention to detail.
  • Maintain ongoing professional development by attending workshops and conferences related to choral conducting, applying new techniques and knowledge gained to benefit the ensemble.
  • Collaborate with local musicians and ensembles to organize joint concerts, broadening audience reach and strengthening community bonds.
  • Encourage choir members to develop their individual musicianship by offering opportunities for solo and small ensemble performances.
  • Implement innovative warm-up exercises to optimize vocal health and improve overall tone quality during rehearsals.
  • Serve as an ambassador for the choral arts, connecting with local schools and community organizations to encourage participation in choir-related activities.
  • Promote inclusivity within the choir community by creating a welcoming atmosphere for all participants regardless of background or experience level.
  • Organize and lead fundraising events to support the choir''s financial needs, ensuring continued growth and opportunities for performances.
  • Work with both adults and children and shaped approaches to align with student experience level and musical knowledge.
  • Coordinate, plan and led practices for musical components of church services.
  • Lead performances for both vocal and instrumental music.
  • Educate students on proper vocal techniques and vocal warm-ups.
  • Maintain calendars of events and assisted in event planning.
  • Conduct rehearsals to keep performers prepared for performances.
  • Collaborate with performers and producers to determine and achieve desired sound for production.
  • Direct groups at rehearsals and live or recorded performances to achieve desired effects such as tonal and harmonic balance dynamics, rhythm, and tempo.

Lecturer

St. Paul's University (SPU)
01.2018 - 01.2021
  • Evaluated student progress through regular assessments, providing detailed feedback for improvement and growth.
  • Created and designed quizzes, tests and projects to assess student knowledge.
  • Developed strong relationships with colleagues, collaborating on curriculum development and sharing best practices in teaching strategies.
  • Developed and implemented innovative teaching strategies to engage students in lectures and coursework.
  • Increased student interest by incorporating real-world examples into lessons and connecting material to relevant experiences.
  • Conducted individual research projects to actively contribute to institution's research work.
  • Mentored and advised students to explore career pathways based and amplify knowledge, skills and strengths.
  • Used PowerPoint and Google Classroom technology to give presentations to student classrooms.
  • Selected and designed lesson plans and curriculum to meet academic objectives.
  • Enhanced student comprehension by utilizing diverse teaching methodologies and techniques.
  • Participated in conferences and professional development opportunities to stay up-to-date with latest trends in field.
  • Designed online course modules, making education more accessible to remote learners.
  • Assessed student learning outcomes, refining teaching methods to better meet educational goals.
  • Assessed students' progress and provided feedback to enhance learning.
  • Created positive and safe learning environment for students by setting and enforcing classroom code of conduct.
  • Guided students in researching, structuring and presenting debate case.
  • Conducted engaging in-class discussions to facilitate learning and encourage participation.
  • Incorporated creative activities into lessons to engage students and spark interest in music.
  • Improved student musicianship by incorporating a variety of teaching methods and techniques.
  • Contributed to school-wide events such as musicals or talent shows by providing expertise in rehearsals and performances.
  • Organized successful concerts and recitals, showcasing students'' talents and hard work.
  • Assessed student performance and provided constructive feedback to guide progress.
  • Planned and executed targeted lesson plans to instruct on music theory, music history, and performance etiquette.
  • Conducted one-on-one sessions to address individual student needs, significantly improving their musical proficiency.
  • Fostered positive and inclusive classroom environment, enabling students to confidently express their musical talents.
  • Encouraged creative expression among students by introducing them to wide range of musical genres and instruments.
  • Enhanced students' understanding of music theory by creating and implementing engaging curriculum materials.
  • Supervised students during rehearsals to provide direction to students during practice sessions.
  • Evaluated and graded students' class work, performances, projects, assignments and papers.
  • Attended concerts and performances to support students and arts community.
  • Collaborated with community arts organizations to bring real-world experiences into classrooms and provide students with opportunities for learning and growth.

Music Teacher

Lenana School
05.1998 - 02.2012
  • Studied scores to learn music in detail and develop interpretations.
  • Determined voices, instruments, harmonic structures, rhythms, tempos and tone balances required to achieve effects desired in each musical composition.
  • Attended regular practices and private lessons to hone skills.
  • Assigned and reviewed staff work in such areas as scoring, arranging and copying music.
  • Collaborated with performers and producers to determine and achieve desired sound for production.
  • Positioned members within groups to obtain balance among instrumental or vocal sections.

Education

Master of Education (Educational Administration) - Education Administration

University of Nairobi
Nairobi, Nairobi Province, Kenya
05.2009 - 05.2012

Bachelor of Education (Arts) Second Class Honors (Upper Division) - Education

Kenyatta University
Nairobi, Nairobi Province, Kenya
05.1993 - 05.1997

No Degree - Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education( KCSE)

Kaaga Girls High School, Meru
Meru, Kenya
05.1988 - 05.1991

No Degree - Kenya Certificate of Primary Education ( KCPE)

Erimbene Primary School
Meru District, Kenya
05.1979 - 05.1987

Skills

Vocal Coaching Techniques

Personal Information

  • ID Number: 11610209
  • Date of Birth: 07/11/72
  • Gender: Female
  • Nationality: Kenyan
  • Marital Status: Married
  • Religion: Christian

Keyqualification

I am a trained teacher holding a Bachelor's degree in Education (B. Ed Arts) from Kenyatta University and a Master's degree in Educational Administration (M. Ed) from the University of Nairobi. I have gained valuable knowledge and experience with Kenyatta University in Teaching Practice Mentorship Program from the year, 2016. From 2015 to date, I work with Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) to assess learners. I have lectured Music at St. Paul's University (SPU) since 2018. I also work with Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) from 2017 to develop Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) curriculum in Life skills. I am very competent in adjudication of Music and Dance at school and church festivals since 2015 to date.

Languages

English, Kiswahili, (Spoken and Written)

References

  • Mr. Longino Mucheusi, Assistant Chief Radiation Therapist, Kenyatta National hospital, P.O. Box 2097-00202, Nairobi, mucheusil@gmail.com, 0722385053
  • Mr Sammy Muruka, Deputy Principal, Kangemi Boys High School, P.O. Box 29267- 00625, samomariba81@gmail.com, 0721300197
  • Mrs. Rose Gatwiri Murithi, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 100832-00101, Nairobi, rgmarete@uonbi@ac.ke, 0722982968

Timeline

Lecturer

St. Paul's University (SPU)
01.2018 - 01.2021

Examiner and Assessor

Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC)
04.2015 - Current

Music Teacher

Nile Road Secondary School
02.2012 - Current

Master of Education (Educational Administration) - Education Administration

University of Nairobi
05.2009 - 05.2012

Music Teacher

Lenana School
05.1998 - 02.2012

Bachelor of Education (Arts) Second Class Honors (Upper Division) - Education

Kenyatta University
05.1993 - 05.1997

No Degree - Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education( KCSE)

Kaaga Girls High School, Meru
05.1988 - 05.1991

No Degree - Kenya Certificate of Primary Education ( KCPE)

Erimbene Primary School
05.1979 - 05.1987

Editor

Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD)
1 2017 - 04.2022

Mentor

Kenyatta University in Teaching Practicum Mentorship Program
1 2016 - Current

Choir Conductor and Adjudicator

Kenya Music Festival (KMF)
1 2002 - Current
KIRUJA CHRISTINE GACHERIMusic Teacher