January 2022 - Tumaini Junior Welcomes New Headmaster!

A fixture at the school since 2015, Mr. Gasper initially joined Tumaini as a Kishwali teacher. However, he quickly became Head of Academics once his skill for organizing, and strategizing became apparent. Thus, his years of wide-ranging experience made him the perfect candidate to replace the former headmistress, Madam Grace, following her retirement at the end of last year. The teaching profession has always held very profound meaning to Mr. Gasper. Following the separation of his parents at a young age, Gasper’s mother struggled to keep up with the financial burden of raising her children. A concerned teacher, Mr. Hongoa, noticed Gasper’s dwindling academic performance, and poor school attendance. One day, he took it upon himself to visit Gasper’s home and found the boy working on his mother’s small farm. This had become a difficult necessity, to help support his family. Concerned for young Gasper’s future, Mr. Hongoa immediately arranged for a school transfer. This allowed Gasper to move in with his uncle, who was also a teacher.

The following years saw Gasper’s love of education and the teaching profession blossom. Before the time of computers, all lesson planning, grading, and exam result compilations had to be completed manually by school staff. Therefore, Gasper spent many happy evenings assisting his uncle with these endeavors. He eventually became so popular amongst the teachers that they entrusted him to teach or cover their lessons when they went on leave. Gasper still remembers Mr. Hongoa as the man who changed the course of his life. Without his support, Gasper is certain that he would not have completed primary school. Gasper learned from a young age that “Teaching is work that helps children to fulfill their dreams.” Mr. Gasper finds teaching as rewarding today as when he first started. He feels constantly motivated and inspired by his work when he sees that students have gained knowledge from his lessons. He enjoys watching his students develop into confident learners, who are excited to learn and express their new ideas.

Now in his new role as Headmaster, Mr. Gasper strives to maintain an environment whereby all students are receiving the best standard of education possible. His short-term goals are to ensure that Tumaini Junior School consistently ranks number one in the District and top ten in the Region. Within the next three years, his ultimate ambition is to see Tumaini Junior School among the top ten primary schools in Tanzania. Mr. Gasper recognizes that this achievement will only be possible through the joint efforts of the teachers, parents, and students. As a leader, Gasper strives to empower his co-workers to feel like active and crucial members of the institution. He is transparent with all decision-making, consulting with school management so that everyone’s ideas can be included. This approach honors the Tumaini motto, “Together We Excel!”

The realities of education have changed significantly since Mr. Gasper was a boy. Most notable being the pivot between a content versus a competency-based curriculum. Gasper recalls all of his lessons being delivered in a lecture format, whereas today’s classes emphasize interactive learning. When asked to speak on what makes Tumaini special, Mr. Gasper said, “Our students like school. All of them are motivated to perform. We have very good teachers who are not only competent in their respective subjects but who care about the students and aim to shape them into disciplined learners. We are proud Tumaini is a conducive learning environment.”