Laurah Kisiah Kanaya

I was hired in Jabali Christian schools in Imara Daima when there was need to raise the standards of reading, create and sustain a reading culture, and to ensure that the K.C.P.E classes did well in the national exam.

In the year 2019, the school saw its pioneer class sit its national examination, which was the school's maiden attempt.

Tasked with CBC transition, a role that I carried out with utmost dedication, ensuring that staff went through the requisite trainings by KICD and other approved institutions.

As of today, Jabali is a model CBC schools in the country, courtesy of the effort I put in, with the support of my colleagues. My job involves:

• Implementing data-driven instructional strategies and collaborating with teachers to improve lesson plans.
• Collaborating with faculty to establish clear learning objectives, aligning curriculum and assessments for optimal results.
• Performing classroom evaluations to assess teacher strategies and effectiveness.
• Introduced modifications to English curriculum and introduced new, effective instructional techniques. Founded Book Club and Debate Club.
• Conducting regular evaluations of academic programs, identifying areas for improvement and implementing necessary changes to ensure proper implementation of CBC.
• Researching and incorporating new educational trends and instructional strategies to optimize effectiveness in learning and especially, language acquisition and use..
• Cultivating positive relationships among parents, students and teachers.
• Organizing extracurricular activities that promote leadership skills, teamwork, and personal growth among students.
• Spearheading professional development programs, in collaboration with Ministry of Education, KICD and KNEC to foster teacher growth, resulting in improved student performance and engagement.

I serve as a positive role model and leader within the school community, fostering an environment of respect, trust, and support among all stakeholders.

• It is in Thika Road Academy, that I believe my authority as a language teacher was tested and indeed, sharpened. While here, I successfully did the following:
• Identified struggling students early on and provided additional support through tutoring sessions and modified lesson plans.
• Organized extracurricular activities such as clubs and symposiums that enriched students' learning experiences outside the traditional classroom setting.
• Participated in department meetings to provide input to colleagues about student achievement and improvement.
• Implemented reading and writing workshops to increase student literacy and support school reading programs.
• Developed strong relationships with students, parents, and colleagues by maintaining open lines of communication and fostering a supportive learning environment.
• Modified lessons and curriculum to accommodate diverse learners by using strategies such as peer-assisted learning and group work.

The environment was positively competitive, inspiring and there was only room for excellence. Being under the direct guidance of the school's director Dr. Muchira ( Former Lecturer - Kenyatta University, English/ Literature department) was a blessing to my career.

Sunnyside Academy provided me with a platform to independently use skills and attitudes I had acquired as a beginner teacher.

The Class of 2012, remains to be the highlight of my classroom teaching as it brought the best teacher out of me. At Sunnyside, I successfully:

• Assisted in creating a safe and nurturing classroom environment that promoted emotional well-being and academic growth for all students.
• Incorporated multiple types of teaching strategies into classroom.
• Evaluated students' understanding of course material through examinations and in-depth essay writing.
• Provided one-on-one support for students with learning disabilities, enabling them to excel in their coursework.
• Managed classroom behavior effectively by establishing clear expectations, modeling appropriate conduct, and consistently enforcing established rules and consequences.

I learnt to be a facilitator of learning as opposed to the traditional role of authoritative teaching.

The foundation I received from Shalom Academy has enabled me to grow into the great teacher and mentor I am today.

The results that have been celebrated in other institutions, are a testament to the post-college training I received here. During this period, I learnt and successfully:

• Designed detailed learning plans for struggling students based on test, homework and assignment records.
• Incorporated multiple types of teaching strategies into classroom.
• Advised and counseled students to help them develop skills and knowledge required to succeed.

This is the place that I can confidently say, I learnt that making mistakes does not make me a failure but instead, gives me an opportunity to get better in my skills and attitude towards work and other people.