Lessons learned from a Malawian teacher…
What started as an inconspicuous “sit-down” with Madam Margret Chikadza, head teacher at DLCA, while we waited together for students to complete their sponsor updates, turned into an inspirational 45-minute one-on-one interview with a very talented, wise, and caring leader. It’s no coincidence she’s in the position she’s in!
We had a long and fruitful conversation. Her quiet demeanor was misleading as her passion for the teachers and the students was clearly evident. She opened up about her staff leadership philosophy and approach to working with teachers. No Western university, textbook, or pro-d facilitator could have said it better. She shared her approach to supporting and building a team mentality amongst staff and an open-door policy where they feel empowered to share their concerns with her. She acknowledged this isn't usual considering hierarchical norms in African culture but feels it's critical to building trust and staff cohesion. She spoke of how critical humility and love are in her position as we are all under God and even though we’ve been entrusted with different positions we're not above each other. In reference to this she quoted John 13:14. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.
She spoke of her role as mediator and counsellor in her students’ families. The sensitivity and carefulness necessary when speaking to the families where abuse appears to be taking place is a reality of her position. She explained an approach that balances the need for protection of the child with the need for confronting perpetrators in a manner that doesn't reveal the child as the source of information. It would take Solomon's wisdom to do this without mistake!
Finally, she spoke of how critical the role of a teacher is. “We are dealing with living human beings with souls.” If an office worker makes a mistake he rips up the paper and starts over. If a construction worker makes a mistake he can knock it down and start over. But if we as teachers make a mistake it has eternal consequences, and we cannot start over. We simply cannot afford to make mistakes in the raising of children. As a former teacher I felt spoken to…how often did I weigh my interactions with my students in the scale of eternity?? Certainly, I can’t save or lose my students, but the fact remains that I have a tremendous responsibility to prayerfully “train up the child” and if it pleases God to use my work He will! The distinction is eternal. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. (Matthew 25:46)
