The importance of soft skills is increasingly recognised as a cornerstone of effective teaching and learning even in our contemporary shifting education landscape. For science educators, these skills bridge the gap between the technical intricacies of their discipline and the dynamic needs of a diverse student body.
Teresa Kagotho, a distinguished science educator with more than two decades of influential teaching experience at home and abroad in the United States, exemplifies the vital role soft skills play in science education.
Through her unique blend of expertise, creativity and commitment, Teresa demonstrates how soft skills not only enhance teaching but also inspire students to embrace science as a means of solving real-world problems.
Born in Nyeri at the turn of the century, Teresa’s adaptability is evident in her career, which spans a wide array of roles, curricula and educational systems, including the British International Curriculum (Cambridge), International Baccalaureate (IB) and the American system.
Her ability to seamlessly adapt to different pedagogical environments speaks to her exceptional adaptability. This skill is evident in her response to the Covid-19 pandemic, where she designed a hybrid curriculum that combined online and in-person teaching methodologies. In science education, adaptability fosters a mindset that embraces innovation, an essential trait for both educators and students navigating a rapidly evolving field.
Effective communication also is pivotal in demystifying complex scientific concepts. Teresa’s experience as a homeroom teacher and mentor in various international schools highlights her ability to engage students, parents and colleagues alike. Her roles as a Swahili Club patron and cultural exchange facilitator further underscore her skill in bridging cultural and linguistic gaps. By tailoring her communication to diverse audiences, she ensures that her lessons resonate universally, nurturing a love for science among her students.
Collaboration is a third soft skill. Teresa’s leadership in organising events like Science Week and coordinating clubs such as Steam and First Robotics showcases her collaborative spirit. These initiatives require working with fellow educators, students and external stakeholders to create enriching learning experiences. Collaboration in science education mirrors the teamwork fundamental to scientific research and innovation, emphasising the collective effort required to tackle global challenges.
Empathy is integral to understanding and addressing the unique needs of students also. Teresa’s commitment to inclusivity, as demonstrated by her efforts to accommodate Individualised Education Programmes and 504 plans, exemplifies her empathetic approach. Her professional development in child protection and mental well-being further equips her to create a supportive learning environment, where every student feels valued and capable.
Perhaps the most striking soft skill in Teresa’s repertoire is her creativity. From mentoring students in robotics to introducing innovative lesson plans that cater to multiple intelligences, Teresa consistently infuses her teaching with originality. Creativity in science education encourages students to think beyond textbook knowledge, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills that are crucial in both academic and real-world contexts.
While science is often perceived as a rigid discipline grounded in facts and formulas, creativity lies at its very heart. The scientific method itself is a manifestation of human ingenuity. Posing hypotheses, designing experiments and interpreting data require imaginative thinking. Mwalimu’s career underscores how creativity transforms science education, making it both accessible and engaging.
In her role as an IB science content creator, Teresa developed unit plans and lesson activities that emphasised inquiry and exploration. By encouraging students to approach science as a process of discovery, she nurtures curiosity and a passion for learning. Her involvement in First Robotics, where students apply engineering principles to solve challenges, further highlights how creativity fuels innovation in science.
Kagotho’s cultural exchange initiatives, where she introduces elements of Kenyan heritage, such as the Kiswahili language and traditional dances, demonstrate how creativity extends beyond the classroom. By integrating cultural perspectives into her teaching, she provides students with a holistic understanding of science as a human endeavour shaped by diverse contributions.
What sets this teacher apart is her vivacity and unwavering dedication to her profession. Her role as a Global Change Ambassador and a mentor in the New York Academy of Sciences exemplifies her commitment to advancing STEM education on a global scale. Her multilingual proficiency, including fluency in Kiswahili and English, enriches her teaching by adding cultural depth and accessibility.
This unique Kenyan’s ability to inspire students is matched by her contributions to the professional development of her peers. From leading teacher training workshops to chairing science department meetings, she consistently uplifts the educational community. Her leadership extends to extracurricular activities, where she cultivates students’ interests in areas like robotics, art and dance, ensuring that education is both comprehensive and enjoyable.
Her recognition as a Critical Language Scholarship Programme evaluator, and her participation in the President Obama-supported, Kenyatta University-hosted Yali Regional Leadership Centre, further highlight her influence as a mentor and advocate for education. These roles reflect her belief in the transformative power of education to shape societies and individuals alike.
Indeed, Mwalimu Teresa Kagotho’s journey illustrates that soft skills and scientific knowledge are not mutually exclusive but rather complementary. Her creativity, empathy, adaptability, communication and collaboration skills are deeply intertwined with her expertise in biology, chemistry and environmental science. These qualities enable her to inspire a new generation of learners, who view science not just as a subject but also a means of understanding and improving the world.
In
celebrating her achievements, we recognise among us Kenyans the deep impact of
educators who bring humanity and imagination to their teaching no matter the
subject. Her career serves as a reminder that at the heart of science education
lies a deep-seated creativity: a trait that drives innovation, nurtures
curiosity and shifts learning into a lifelong journey of discovery.
Kagotho debunks the myth that sciences and the
creative arts are worlds apart and have no points of convergence or overlaps.
Could it be that the finest scientific minds have very artistic minds? One can pick
up this questions or reflections with Mwalimu Kagotho at [email protected]
