Kenyan studies teacher at SV
JACKSON TWP — Peter Njuguna drove five hours Friday morning across Pennsylvania just to watch Seneca Valley High School teacher Jim Lucot in action, although Njuguna has traveled a lot farther than that on his quest to become a teacher.
Njuguna, 25, who is from Kenya, is studying at Kutztown University to be a history teacher. He plans on returning to Kenya to embark on his own career as a teacher once his studies are finished in 2016.
It’s no secret that Lucot is regarded asone of the better teachers in the state — he was a finalist last year for the state teacher of the year award. That’s why Njuguna got up before sunrise to drive to watch Lucot teach history.
Originally from Kiambu, Kenya, Njuguna came to the United States in 2009 to study at a community college before transferring to Kutztown. He will graduate soon and plans on attending graduate school to further his teaching career.
Njuguna said he wants to become a teacher to honor his mother, who taught for nearly three decades before dying in 2013.
Njuguna could never have studied history in Kenya like he studied history here, if only for the fact studying history isn’t practical in developing countries in Africa.
“If you love history, you are not free to study it,” he said. “There are no jobs in history.”
Instead, students in Kenya primarily focus on subjects like math and science or they pick up on a trade early in life.
Njuguna is one of the few who got the chance to pursue his true passions once coming to America. While here, he plans on spreading knowledge about his home country and continent to Americans.
“It’s amazing to me how many people here think Africa is a country,” he said. “But that’s something I can do, help give Africa some exposure.”
But that doesn’t mean Njuguna is leaving Kenya in the rearview mirror. He plans on going home after his schooling to teach a new generation of Kenyans.
“It’s all about giving something back,” he said.
Lucot said there’s no doubt that Njuguna will be successful. The aspiring teacher even used his free time over spring break to come see Lucot teach.
“I couldn’t find a better use for it,” Njuguna said about his spring break from classes. “Some of my friends are somewhere else warmer, but I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”
Lucot said he hopes to teach Njuguna some valuable lessons about interacting with students. It’s a simple formula Lucot follows with his students, and one that’s worked well for him so far.
“You need to be passionate, honest and you have to respect the kids,” Lucot said.
Lucot also praised the young man’s determination, noting that he woke up before 5 a.m. to make the drive from Kutztown to Jackson Township.
“His commitment is pretty apparent,” Lucot said.
