The dream turns into reality

Mrs. Nancy Ekpeze, is an educator with passion, she loves adding value to the education sector, and she is also a convener of Educational Administration Network on Facebook, a group that has more than 9,000 member world over, she speaks more about her passion on education and other pressing issues.

Interviewed By Olayemi Odejayi

TEG: Good evening ma, firstly, we want to specially appreciate you for given us audience to have this interview

Ans:- you're welcome

TEG: Can we meet you ma?

Ans:- I'm Nancy Ekpezu, an educator and school administrator with over twenty years experience in the education sector. I'm currently a school administrator in Lagos, Nigeria; I'm also the convener of the Educational Administration Network on Facebook, almost 9,000 members from different countries.

I love adding value to the education sector by putting structure in schools and improving customer service, productivity and professionalism

TEG: Wow! Interesting

TEG: Ma, where is the location of your school in Lagos?

Ans:-My employers may not want this here. I need permission from them to talk about the school as it's not a one man business. It's owned by a multinational company

TEG: ok ma

TEG:You said you have over twenty years experience in teaching profession, what prompted you to go into teaching?

Ans:- I got into teaching by accident as it wasn't my plan at all. I was posted to lecture in a tertiary institution during my National Youth Service Corps. After the one year NYSC, I couldn't get a job in the places I had applied because they required a certain number of years of experience which of course I did not have.

So the only available job was teaching. I decided to make do with it and then later discovered it was something I enjoyed doing. I found in it a level of fulfillment I could not explain to anyone else.

TEG: That means you did not study education in your first degree?

Ans:- I did not originally study education as my first degree but I delved into it later

TEG:- Interesting!

TEG: Tell us your first day experience as a teacher

Ans:- It was horrible to say the least! I didn't know where to start from since I had never taught a primary three class. I couldn't control the children as I had not been given any formal training on classroom management. I left work that day feeling very confused and wondering if I'd to go back there.

TEG:-Talking about classroom management, I think is the major challenges teachers are facing till today, how can we solve this problems?

Ans:- Training on understand children psychology is very important in managing them, in and out of the classroom. Also an organized teacher does better in managing the class.

Older teachers should mentor the younger and upcoming teachers on this. Teachers in their own, should make attempts to research on ways to improve their classroom management

It's not rocket science!

TEG:- In recent years we have visible changes in the educational sector, especially in private institutions. Are you satisfied with this level of development?

Ans:- Yes, obviously there have been visible changes in the education sector, especially in the private schools as you've rightly stated. Technology has come in to be a great tool for teaching and learning. There's a great awareness about professional development and teachers are making better efforts at training to improve their skills. Also there are efforts to improve on the perception and image of teachers, and to increase their earning power. And these are commendable! But we still have a long way to go especially in our clime.

I think we have too much emphasis on foreign curricula instead of making time to properly develop ours and deliver it excellently.

TEG:-let look at the Curriculum, is there any difference between Early Year Foundation and Montessori Method of teaching, because that is what schools are concentrating on now?

Ans:- I really must say I am not a curriculum specialist but I do know we need to adapt whatever we teach to our environment.

TEG:-Just last month, we lost one of the colleague in the industry, in person of Mr. Joseph Aisida, Ma, what can you say about his personality?

Ans:- I knew Joseph Aisida personally and I must say that he was a force to reckon with in the education sector in our clime. He exemplified what a true 21st century teacher ought to be. He demonstrated professionalism in his dealings.

He was knowledgeable about his field and very willing to share. The Executive Teacher will be greatly missed by all who know him.

He also had unique leadership qualities of selfless service and humility

TEG:-One debatable issue in education today is about double promotion for students, what is your view on this? Good or bad

Ans:- I strongly believe children should not be rushed through school. Kids should be allowed to learn at their pace and to go through the natural process of maturing without undue pressure from adults. There's no point skipping a class. That's a whole year's scheme of work left undone in the child's life. Children should pass through every class including primary six.

TEG:- Finally, Your advice for old, young and upcoming teachers

Ans:- Older teachers should not relent on their efforts to keep developing themselves. They should become role models and mentors to the younger and upcoming teachers.

To the younger teachers, be encouraged to make a full time career of teaching. Give it your all and be all out to develop yourself and make a difference. Teaching has been redefined and not be looked down on. It's up to you.

Upcoming teachers, the sky shouldn't be your limit. Keep aiming higher. Develop your philosophy of teaching and define your niche

TEG:- Thanks very much for your time. We appreciate

You're- welcome.