John Mary Musinguzi, is the principal of Lead International School-Kigali. However, becoming a teacher while young wasn’t something he yearned for. At a young age, he and his peers at school anticipated for white and blue collar jobs. However, he notes that he longed to earn some money after senior six exams, a thing that prompted him to teach. “As a high school leaver, when you start earning and providing for yourself, that’s an achievement. I felt a need to get a document or qualification to continue getting paid, and that’s how I became a teacher,” he states. He started teaching in 2002, however, he qualified as a teacher in 2005 after studying three years in college through Distance Learning program. The educationist explains that he started with a Grade III Teaching Certificate (Primary teacher), then upgraded to a diploma and degree. Musinguzi stresses that he earned a diploma in 2010 in English and Social studies and also scooped a Bachelor’s of Science degree in 2014. “For my degree, I majored in Chemistry and Biology. I had pursued Physics, Chemistry and Biology, in high school and I still loved science courses,” he says. The school principal narrates that his inspiration was his uncle, who quit his well-paying job in Kampala to start a school, dubbed St Patrick Junior School in Sheema District, Western Uganda. ‘Although he became a laughing stock to many people for his decision, his school is now one of the best performing in the region, I am very proud of him.’ He notes that he pursued his courses while working and also underwent the Distance learning programs, all from Uganda Martyrs University, Nkozi. He is looking forward to undertaking a Master’s degree in Education. Musinguzi points out that having started teaching without any prior training, there was much to learn. Unfortunately, he wasn’t rendered much or enough support by most skilled teachers, which is why he worked tirelessly to prove his efforts to supervisors. “What made my profession fun, was the fact that the students were happy with me and other teachers and cooperated as well-this crafted a good relationship with them,” he emphasises. He has taught at a number of schools such as St Patrick Junior School- Mushanga from 2002 to 2006, St. Mukasa Minor Seminary- Mushanga, from 2007 to 2009, Kampala Parents School, from 2010 to 2011, all in Uganda, and in Rwanda at King David Academy from 2014 to 2018 and Lead International School from 2019 to date. One of the lessons the principal has learned along the way, is continuous learning with or without students, he believes that teachers are always alert, a reason they don’t grow old fast. For him, in order to deliver well, teachers must be very patient with everyone. Musinguzi notes that some of the challenges that teachers encounter, are being taken for granted for their patience. He carries on that some teachers aren’t usually appreciated as it should be, yet they’re the ones that build the nation, everyone goes through a teacher to become what they are in adulthood. He adds that spending a whole day with children isn’t easy, and some parents abuse and disrespect teachers whether they’re in wrong or not, which isn’t right. Musinguzi highlights that as a leader of an institution, he has realised that few people are happy with him. This is because most people expect much and yet their input is less or none. He says that it’s his attention to listen to parents, students and the teachers and support staff. He is of the view that as a leader, happiness depends on the people around you. If they aren’t, you can’t be and yet it’s hard to make people around you as happy as they want. ‘Usually you are at loggerheads with them especially during supervision.’ The principal stresses that to bring change in the school’s face for the better; he crafts new innovations, programs, carries out research, goes out of his way, and at times, even foregoes personal programs for those at school. “I have realised that to succeed as a leader, you ought to practice servant leadership, this is leadership philosophy in which the goal of the leader is to serve, rather than accumulate power or take control,” he explains. Musinguzi enlightens that being a great educationist requires patience and sacrifice, sometimes it takes forfeiting your time and resources. He adds that leaders should communicate effectively with students and their subordinates, parents and teachers, because poor communication can result in unmet expectations, missed deadlines, and deadlines, redundant conflict, low morale, doubt, and less efficient collaboration, among others. The principal stresses that leaders must also be a good example, and should be able to learn how to forgive and forget quickly. He also says that it’s the responsibility of a leader to motivate teachers; it doesn’t only have to be financially, but also in the form of training, household items, food, trips and tours, and so forth. He anticipates building his own school where he will retire and continue developing the world through education. “I am still studying and teaching, so more is expected of me, God is still guiding me to greener pastures so, I have to keep my gears oiled,” he states. In his free time, Musinguzi enjoys playing football, badminton and volleyball, and board games like Scrabble checkers which he teaches his students as well. He also reads books to keep his mind informed, plays with kids, listens to Country Music and participates in debate, spelling quizzes and public speaking. He is a member of Toastmasters Club. The school principal loathes poverty of the mind, idle talk or rumors, laziness, and people who despise others.
