GIS - Growing their own Timber

Graduated from GIS : 2012

Boitumelo Ketwesepe believes that “teachers make a lasting impression on the lives of their students, and great teachers inspire students to develop the skills they need to compete in a challenging global market.”

Certainly, she feels that her teachers at Gaborone International School (GIS) – where she graduated in 2012 – played an important role in her own life. “I’d always remember GIS with fondness. I received a great education in the most nurturing environment. My school days were spent amongst happy students and caring staff.”

Boitumelo says that she has many happy memories of her time at GIS. It was during her school days that her love of Business Studies and Economics was cultivated: she admits that these subjects were always her favourite. 

After school, she enrolled at the University of Botswana to study a Bachelor Degree in Education, majoring in Business and Economics. When she graduated, she had little way of knowing that her ties with the school would remain extremely strong, but she hoped to be back as a teacher. Today she is once again roaming the hallways and sharing teaching methodologies with one of her favourite teachers Ms Lubeka. “Being back at GIS is the same, but not the same. Although the buildings haven’t changed that much the people and teaching methods has, and that is exciting.” 

Thinking back on her studies, Boitumelo says that she acquired a number of attributes that have served her well in the classroom, among them tolerance, patience and an appreciation of diversity and respect for those around her. Boitumelo believes that the biggest challenge children face today is bullying and that there should be no room in the classroom or life for such bad behaviour. 

A positive about Boitumelo’s chosen field is that it has enormous scope for growth. “I enjoy working with the students and sharing their excitement about their academics.” Boitumelo’s approach to teaching is learner centred. “This gives learners a choice and autonomy to take control of their own learning with the teacher of course still being the main facilitator of the process.”

Asked if she would choose the same career again, were she to have the choice, her answer is unequivocal: “Definitely!”

Fun Questions to get to know Miss Boitumelo Ketwesepe

• Coffee or tea:  Tea
• Currently reading for enjoyment: The Power of positive thinking by Dr Norman Vincent Peale
• 5 adjectives to describe me: Loving, ambitious, versatile, too modest sometimes�55357;�56847;, hardworking 
• Playing on playlist now: God is not done with you by Tauren Wells 
• My sweet tooth craves: Caramel cake �55356;�57200; 
• Salty snack my students can try bribe me with any day: Peanuts and raisins 
• Hobbies: I love cycling  
• Fondest Memory at GIS: Prize giving day, this day I received some subject certificates and also got appointed as the school Head Girl. My mother was so proud that she lifted me from the stage to my chair while ululating the entire way�55357;�56837;�55358;�56688;