Emeka Nwokocha

Skills

Student-centered instruction
Social research method
Student engagement
Critical thinking and social analysis
Formative assessment strategies
Confident, compassionate, positive relationship

About

As a confident and dedicated educator with over a decade of service across diverse academic environments, my professional ethos is rooted in the belief that education must be transformative, inclusive, and for solving problems for the individual and society. My teaching journey spans higher education lecture halls, secondary classrooms, and special needs classrooms within the United Kingdom and overseas. At different phases of teaching and supporting learning, I have remained focused and committed to promoting academic growth, inclusive learning, and overall development of learners. Transitioning from teaching at tertiary level to supporting learning within the special needs area, my understanding and application of adaptive pedagogy and learner-centered techniques have significantly improved.
My professional journey in teaching started officially as a Social Science teacher at Infant Jesus Academy, where I taught from 2011 to 2015. I covered different classes across the senior secondary classes (Year 8 -10). In this role, I introduced students to the foundations of Social Sciences, social inquiry and social research, inequality, and various schools of thought and their approach to society. I also taught broad concepts such as socialization, Institutions, family, and education, to name a few. I developed engaging lesson plans that cultivate critical thinking, presentations of ideas and perspectives, encourage active participation, and engender a respectful classroom environment. Teaching these topics and concepts required me to break down complex social issues into meaningful lessons, promoting a problem-solving approach to learning. This period helped me to understand the different learning styles a single classroom can present. This encouraged me to incorporate differentiated learning strategies and hands-on activities to ensure no student is left behind.
My aspiration to be a role model teacher informed my decision to earn a Master’s Degree in Social Studies Education. This postgraduate training exposed me to an advanced understanding of curriculum development, philosophical, psychological, and sociological perspectives of curriculum development, learning, and classroom management. I was also exposed to evaluating educational frameworks and their implementation to address educational and contemporary social problems. I gained more confidence to approach teaching from a research-enriched background, viewing social issues as both isolated and globalized.
The passion to learn more so that I can teach more pushed me to advance to higher education as a Sociology Lecturer at the College of Education Gombe and Pioneer Social Science Education Lecturer at the Veritas University Abuja. Educating would-be teachers presented the opportunity to go deep into sociological theories, educational sociology, research methodologies, social policy, and social issues that youths need to be enlightened about. My role goes beyond just lesson planning and implementation to mentoring student teachers on pedagogical best practices, classroom management, and behaviour management. I engaged the student-teachers to critically examine how social studies, socioeconomic backgrounds, religion, and cultural beliefs and practices impact education in terms of access, support, and achievement.
Observing the important need for special needs education and in my firm believe that no one should be left behind, I pursued and completed a Level 3 Diploma in Special Educational Needs (SEN) after supporting and tutoring within an SEN setting for the last three years. This training improved my knowledge and confidence in understanding neurodivergence, planning and supporting complex learning needs, implementing positive behaviour strategies, and adapting educational interventions to the learning profiles of the individual.
Currently working as a Learning Support Assistant with the Bradford SEND Provision, I support children with Special Educational Needs and Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs (SEMH). My day-to-day responsibilities ensure I implement the Individualized Education Programme (IEP) towards the realization of the learning goals of the individual. Working as a team, we adapt learning materials, resources and activities to meet individual needs, employ scaffolding teaching techniques to promote independence and execute the individual’s Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). Also, working in a multi-disciplinary approach with Speech Therapists, Psychologists, SENDCOs, Teachers and Parents, we collaborate to ensure a safe and nurturing classroom climate for all children.
Looking ahead, I am committed to bringing my rich educational experience, passion for fostering learning, and training and support skills into roles where I can drive educational achievement positively. I also hope to keep promoting inclusive practice by ensuring the celebration of diversity. Ultimately, I will keep pursuing learning to solve human problems and enrich the life of the individual as they go through the phase of learning in the classroom.