In the rapidly evolving field of education, technology is playing an increasingly pivotal role. We are thrilled to honour Solomon Magbo as our Star Ambassador of the Month (July). Solomon is not only a dedicated educator but also a champion of integrating technology into his teaching methods.

His innovative approach, unwavering passion, and contributions to the uLesson Teacher Ambassador Community have earned him this recognition. In this interview, Solomon shares his journey, the inspiration behind his tech-savvy teaching methods, and the challenges he faces in the classroom.

Embracing Technology in Education

How do you feel about receiving this recognition as Star Ambassador of the Month (July)?

I feel honoured, dumbfounded, privileged, and blessed. It’s a privilege to not just be a teacher ambassador but to be a teacher ambassador that is recognised in this capacity by uLesson. How I feel cannot be expressed in words.

What inspires you to be a tech-savvy teacher? We see that you take steps towards integrating technology into your instructional methods, even ahead of your school.

There are a lot of reasons, but the first is that technology has a lot to do with the audiovisual approach to education. It adds sounds to pictures and gives you beautiful elements that are exciting and engaging for the learner. I didn’t have access to this kind of technology during my time as a student, so when I realised its beauty and how interesting it was, I resolved to make people see education from that dimension.

The attention span of a child is very short. When you say too many things at a time and don’t give them pictorial and sound evidence to buttress what you’re saying, they lose interest. That’s my motivation and inspiration—the ability to give an instance of what I’m trying to explain. Practicals make more sense to learners than just theory.

We’re getting to the point where we need to leverage tools that will enhance the learning of students across the nation and globally.

Challenges in the Teaching Profession

What challenges have you encountered in your teaching journey so far?

The first challenge is financial constraints because there are parents of learners I engage who can’t afford to pay for my services. But I see their enthusiasm and passion in the child, so I engage them. Mathematics is my field of expertise, and I can do such a philanthropic act, but financial constraints have been the issue. I mean, you can’t just give those services for free. You have needs that need to be met.

I am passionate about what I do. I have taught every day since 2004. This makes it the 20th year that I have been actively teaching. I have garnered experience and knowledge, and I am still gaining knowledge daily.

Secondly, I noticed that some parents drive their children to subjects that are not within their skill and passion. They want their children to study a particular course because that’s what they studied. They try to coerce their wards into learning a particular course when they have a plethora of courses.

It’s a big challenge. Students pour out their hearts to me and tell me they can’t do the course their parents want them to do, and they want to find alternatives.

Overcoming Obstacles and Future Aspirations

Wow. How do you deal with these challenges?

To solve financial constraints, I do a lot. I set aside time for all my activities and ensure that I follow them judiciously. I set time aside to engage those who cannot afford my services and another time to engage those who can. I manage websites and social media pages for businesses as well.

I spend my weekdays teaching and my weekends attending to my clients. I’ve set up a structure that breaks down all I do. This allows me to pay attention to every aspect so that no one suffers any lapses. I know I’m sowing a seed in the lives of those learners who can’t pay me. I make up for that through my content creation and online tutoring. This structure gives me the satisfaction I need as a teacher and meets my needs.

To address the second challenge, I’m looking forward to organising a seminar to enlighten parents on why they should allow their children to follow their passions. The parent’s responsibility is to guide their children’s decisions, not impose their ambitions on the children. I look forward to having productive conversations in a conducive environment. I also make posts on social media to educate my audience.

Conclusion

Solomon Magbo’s journey highlights the evolving role of technology in education and the challenges educators face today. His efforts to integrate technology into the classroom and his commitment to supporting students, despite financial barriers, are commendable. By sharing his experiences, Solomon offers valuable insights for other educators and parents alike. We are pleased to celebrate him as the Star Ambassador of the Month (July).

As he continues to navigate these challenges and explore new ways to enhance learning, Solomon’s work remains an important contribution to the educational community. We look forward to seeing how he continues to impact his students and the broader community.

If you have not yet joined our community of Teacher Ambassadors, sign up here. Seize this opportunity to enhance your journey as an educator.