Rosemary Bosibori Onyancha uses emerging technology to enhance teaching and go beyond a pen and whiteboard in the classroom.

The tech-savvy teacher from Moi Forces Lanet, teaching computer studies and business, was recently accorded the 2023 African Union (AU) Continental Teachers Award on October 5.

The Nakuru based teacher was the only Kenyan to receive the award alongside seven outstanding teachers from Ghana, Malawi, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Nigeria and South Africa.

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Rosemary Bosibori showcasing her invention educator plaque during an interview with Mtaa Wangu.

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/MTAA WANGU

Recalling the moment she learnt of the award, Ms Bosibori says she was shocked when her friend asked her to check her E-mail noting that she has won the continental teachers award.

“I honestly, did not see this coming since my entry to the competition was submitted by an official from the Teachers Service Commission (TSC). I have been doing volunteer work showing teachers and students how to navigate different virtual tools and how they can be used to complement in-class learning,” says Ms. Bosibori.

She says her tech journey began in 2020, when the Covid pandemic brought up circumstances that challenged her to lean on virtual tools to ensure her students would still be taught despite school closure.

Rosemary Bosibori teaching the Moi Forces Academy -Lanet principal how to Navigate virtual tools that could be employed in teaching online.

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/MTAA WANGU

“I learned how to navigate different virtual tools and got to be a certified level one google educator. What followed was a series of trainings that I did with my colleagues and teachers from other schools to ensure they were tech savvy.”

“My training is centred around Digital safety and using online tools like Google meets, google classroom, zoom among others. I believe if well employed, these tools would be great support to enhance learning,” she says.

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Ms. Bosibori says she has always been a tech- fanatic and having schooled in Nakuru schools; Jomo Kenyatta girls High school and Kabarak University where she took Education Science, she feels indebted to Nakuru schools

Through several programs run in Nakuru like Hackathon, Tech Challenge and the ICT club she patrons and other tech trainings, Ms Bosibori has been able to impact over 25 students and more than 150 teachers from Nakuru.

Rosemary Bosibori, teaching her fellow teachers at Moi Forces Lanet how to operate virtual tools that they could utilize while teaching online.

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/MTAA WANGU

“I always wanted to be a tech girl growing up. Specifically, a software engineer. However, interacting with students and empowering them makes me fulfilled,” she adds.

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Other than receiving the accolade, Ms Bosibori will also be receiving a cash prize award of $10,000 for being an exemplary teacher.

Wanjirukinuthia20@gmail.com

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