Hello! I’m Koketso Andile Nthimbane

As a natural-born go-getter, my passion has continuously driven me to expand my knowledge, experience, and professional relationships. With a strong childhood education background and diverse skill set, I’m confident in the creative ideas and successful solutions I bring to the table in any new role. Keep exploring my site to learn more information about me and reach out directly with any questions. I am applying for the advertised position for Lecturer in the Foundation Phase. This is because I completed a three-year global excellence scholarship programme as an Assistant Lecturer and Masters’ student at a reputable University in South Africa. During this time, I acquired my M.Ed. (with distinction) focusing on technology (in) Foundation Phase Education and published three research papers. I am currently a PhD candidate and I I have also gained the relevant skills and strategies to function as a teacher trainer in these “post” COVID-19 times when remote learning has become favourable.

 

For instance, to ensure that my teaching is informed by research, I have continued engagement in two research groups and ensured that all module materials and assessments are converted to (accessible) e-resources in response to remote learning. I have also introduced innovative digital activities and assessments that allow students to collaborate even when they are not physically together. This has included the development of an online replacement for the practical fieldwork required for the module assessment such as microlessons. One student emailed to say “I think you did an excellent job with the language biographies and microlessons as not all of us are in Nelson Mandela Bay. Such a creative and cool way of showing us the concepts”. I have always used embedded polls in my learning sessions, which students can participate in through a smartphone/laptop and have expanded this in 2022 with the use of Mentimeter software which allows students to ask questions as well. In terms of professional development, in 2022, I have completed the advanced coding and computational SLP majoring in creative coding for teachers.

 

As a new employee, I have not been able to contribute greatly to course developments within the department beyond engagement in the ECCE curriculum design. In my previous employment, however, I was responsible for the redesign of multiple modules and was responsible for the digital migration of two modules to be offered fully online in the Foundation Degree. Whilst at Nelson Mandela University, I am module coordinator for one module which was moderated successfully. I have also adapted the delivery of module sessions based on student feedback, such as the amalgamation of sessions in language status and power that students felt were repetitive and have added extra sessions to the PFML 100 module to provide additional support and guidance to the students. These sessions are pre-recorded, and students can access them before and after the timetabled lessons.

 

This position, in my view, is the ideal progression for an emerging academic such as myself. I have been an Associate Lecturer before and was subsequently appointed as a Lecturer because of my performance. I believe that as a Lecturer, this position will provide the ideal opportunity for me (as a promising young academic) to be mentored further regarding postgraduate supervision of students and teaching and learning in a changing world. I have had the opportunity to supervise two Honours students this year and believe that this promotion could open me to more opportunities of supervising students.

 

As a B.Ed. foundation phase graduate and fluent speaker of 8 of the 11 official languages in South Africa, I believe that I am an ideal practitioner, researcher and research supervisor in childhood education research in South Africa. My potential was identified early and as such, I was awarded an NRF grant holder bursary under the SarChi chair during my B.Ed. Honours and Masters studies. I have accumulated Four years of teaching experience in the higher education sector and coupled this with three conference proceedings and a contribution in a book chapter. This provides a glimpse at the academic output that can be expected from me as a successful candidate soon and increased research output in high-impact publications amongst other areas of mentorship. In 2022, I drafted and submitted my PhD proposal and presented two papers at a National Conference. I also have peer-reviewed for the South African Journal of Childhood Education and most recently Perspectives in Education.

 

I am currently assisting as an academic partner to two National Projects namely 1. Steering epistemic access and success of historically disadvantaged students in South African universities and 2. Social Harmony Through National Effort. I believe that my involvement in these projects will assist me to gain the experience of participating in large-scale research that has a longitudinal element to it.

 

I do keenly look forward to being shortlisted for this position and subsequently having the opportunity to sit for an interview where I can further elaborate on why I believe I am the ideal candidate. Please find my CV attached for your further reference. I look forward to having the opportunity to discuss my application further and am available for an interview at any time.

 

Thank you for your time and consideration of my application.

 

Sincerest Regards,

Mr Koketso Andile Nthimbane