Ever since, passion for teaching and learning mathematics has always driven Leena Ngonyofi Kanandjebo’s educational journey – today, a PhD holder in Curriculum studies specializing in Mathematics Education!
After completing her basic education at Oshikango Combined School and Ongha Secondary School in the Ohangwena Region, she received financial assistance from NAMPOWER to pursue her Bachelor’s degree in Education (2011), with a major in Mathematics and Physical Science, at the University of Namibia. Dr Kanandjebo’s commitment to her field led her to obtain two master’s degrees – one in Mathematics Education and another in Public Policy and Management, as she believed that understanding public policies influencing curriculum implementation would give her a cutting edge.
Reflecting on her academic beginnings, Dr Kanandjebo acknowledges the formative impact of her experience as a student assistant for first-year Mathematics modules in the School of Science at UNAM from 2009 to 2010. “The opportunity enhanced my teaching skills while I was a student, in addition to compulsory teaching practice,” she says, highlighting the role it played in shaping her passion for academia.
Cracking the PhD journey
In 2020, despite being a relatively new faculty member and the sole mathematics education lecturer at the Main Campus in the School of Education, Dr Kanandjebo made the decision to embark on her PhD journey through Stellenbosch University in South Africa.
Recognising the potential for a PhD to afford her greater influence in mathematics teacher training, and shaping how learners experience mathematics throughout their education and beyond, she was driven by a strong sense of purpose. However, she also acknowledges the challenges that come with pursuing a PhD.
“PhD study can be taxing, it tests and challenges one’s core values, thus whatever I needed along the way demanded and tested my determination and perseverance,” she explains.
One of the major obstacles she faced was financial grounding, but she was fortunate to receive funding from the Stellenbosch University Postgraduate Scholarship. Even being less than a year old as a lecturer and under probation, Dr Kanandjebo felt the overwhelming pressure to deliver.
Besides, her scholarship came with publication conditions before graduation. There were times when she considered putting the study on hold to return under so-called better circumstances, but she held on, inspired by the words of George S. Clason, that: “time and opportunities wait for no man.” Throughout her journey, she drew strength from the unwavering support of her family, supervisor, friends and colleagues who constantly cheered her on and provided the necessary support at every stage of her doctorate studies.
Her PhD thesis, completed within the required 2 years, focused on designing a professional development framework for teaching mathematics meaningfully with technology in developing countries like Namibia.
“I firmly believe in the importance of holistic professional development for teachers, as knowledge is constantly evolving to meet the changing needs of society,” she accentuates. “I am driven by the belief and considered view that a teacher’s teaching journey should be guided by a comprehensive and adaptable approach to professional growth.”
Where to from here
Apart from serving as the Faculty of Education and Human Sciences performance management system technical committee representative amongst others, Dr Kanandjebo’s research interests encompass various areas, including mathematics education, technology integration, teacher training, professional development, secondary school education, public policies, financial management, and strategic management.
Her dedication and expertise have earned her a two-week travel grant in December 2023 for a research stay at the University of Education Weingarten in Germany, in cooperation with the University of Namibia’s School of Education.
Dr Kanandjebo’s story is an inspiring testament to the power of passion, perseverance, and unwavering support. Her journey serves as a beacon of hope for aspiring academics and educators, highlighting the transformative impact one can have in their field of expertise.
