🌟 From Struggles to Strength: My First Year as a Class Teacher

🌟 From Struggles to Strength: My First Year as a Class Teacher

👩🏽‍🏫 Meet Me

My name is Karisimbi Shallon, and I’m a teacher at Hope for Children International School. I started this journey in September 2024, stepping into my first role as a Primary 3 class teacher.

I came into the classroom full of energy—passionate, hopeful, and eager to make a difference. Teaching had always been a dream of mine, and I felt ready to give it my all.

But very quickly, I learned something crucial: passion alone isn’t enough.

⚠️ The Reality Check

During my very first week, I came face-to-face with a gap in my training that I hadn’t anticipated—I didn’t know how to create a scheme of work.

What seemed like a simple task turned into a major stumbling block. Without that structure, lesson planning became chaotic. I struggled to meet deadlines. My classes often felt rushed and disorganized. Even though I cared deeply, I felt like I was failing my students—and myself.

To make things harder, I had a long daily commute that left me constantly tired. That exhaustion crept into every area of my work. I started to question whether I was truly cut out for this profession.

The excitement I had once felt began to dim, and self-doubt took its place.

“Am I really the right person for this job?”

🔄 The Turning Point

The breakthrough came during a short school break. I finally had a moment to breathe, reflect, and reconnect with my "why." In the stillness, I remembered my dream—to be a positive force in children’s lives, to guide and nurture them, and to help them become confident learners.

And then, I heard a quiet voice inside me say:

“Don’t give up. You were made for this.”

That moment changed everything.

Instead of focusing on my struggles, I grabbed a notebook and made a list of every challenge I had faced so far. Next to each one, I wrote a possible solution—no matter how small. For the first time, I had clarity and a plan of action.

🪴 Small Steps, Big Change

From that point on, I committed to taking small, intentional steps each day:

✅ I learned how to create a proper scheme of work through research, mentorship, and practice.

✅ I began waking up earlier and leaving home on time, which made my mornings less stressful.

✅ I started planning my lessons in advance, which brought organization and flow to my classroom.

These changes may sound simple, but together, they made a huge impact. My confidence began to grow again—and so did my love for teaching.

🏁 What I’ve Learned

By the third semester, the classroom felt like home. I had built strong relationships with my students. My lessons were effective and engaging. I felt prepared, purposeful, and proud.

I stopped asking, “Should I quit?” and started asking:

“How can I grow even more?”

The struggles didn’t disappear—but I had grown stronger, wiser, and more resilient.

I learned that success doesn’t come from never failing—it comes from not giving up.

💡 To Anyone Starting Something New

If you’re in a new role and feeling overwhelmed, please know this: you are not alone.

Growth is often disguised as struggle. Every challenge is an invitation to become your strongest self.

Here’s what helped me most:

🌱 Focus on your purpose. Remember why you started.

🤝 Ask for help. You’re not expected to know everything.

🕰️ Keep showing up. Even when it’s hard—especially when it’s hard.

And most importantly—give yourself grace. No one begins as an expert. Learning takes time, and progress often looks like slow, quiet steps forward.

🙌 Thank You for Reading

If this story resonated with you, I’d love for you to share, comment, or connect with me. Whether you're an educator, a new professional, or simply someone facing a tough start—I want you to know:

Your journey matters.

Keep going. You’re growing more than you realize.