Reflecting on my experience with Educore Academy brings a deep sense of appreciation for how much the programme shaped not just my teaching practice, but also my confidence and clarity about staying in education.
Before I joined the Academy I had been trying to find my place professionally. I’d studied something completely different and couldn’t seem to land a job that aligned. I ended up moving between media, graphics, and admin roles with decent work, but none of it gave me a real sense of direction or fulfillment. Eventually, I started assisting at a small local school, and that experience sparked something. I realised: If I was going to stay in education, it had to make sense. It had to be meaningful, of high quality, and something I could enjoy long-term.
What really caught my attention about the Academy was the approach to pedagogy typified by the Cambridge International Diploma in Teaching & Learning that we worked towards. The active learning, no-lecture style, student-centred delivery, and the way differentiation was embedded into everything. It felt human, modern, and grounded in how people learn.
Izukanji Nambela, Educore Academy Valedictorian 2024
Educore Academy didn’t just give me training, it invested in me. The organisation covered 100% of the course costs, provided accommodation, paid a stipend, and even covered water and electricity while I studied. That kind of support was both stabilising and deeply motivating. It made me want to give it my all because someone believed enough in my potential to back it fully.
Since completing the programme, my growth has been interesting. I now lead my own classes with intention and confidence. I landed a job straight after I completed the programme, and honestly, most things didn’t feel unfamiliar or overwhelming when I stepped in because I had already been through it with Educore. I wasn’t guessing. I was building on a foundation of real classroom experience and reflective practice.
A huge part of my development came from how much autonomy we were given to try, teach, and learn paired with the safety net of mentorship. I was empowered to experiment without fear, reflect on what worked, and constantly iterate.
I also had powerful experiences outside the classroom. I worked briefly with boarding students, where I got hands-on exposure to pastoral care, a huge part of understanding how to support learners holistically. I also joined several school trips, including a major one in Geography and Environmental Management, where I applied my critical thinking and questioning training in real-world contexts. That trip solidified a lot of what I’d been learning. It wasn’t just about classroom delivery but guiding learners through curiosity and deeper thinking.
“Educore Academy didn’t just give me training, it invested in me. The organisation covered 100% of the course costs, provided accommodation, paid a stipend, and even covered water and electricity while I studied.”
My final research task for the Diploma was focused on Critical Thinking and Questioning, and it sharpened everything for me. It changed how I teach, how I engage, and how I support learners in discovering answers rather than just receiving them. I connected with brilliant educators and left the programme not just trained but transformed.
Educore Academy didn’t just teach me how to teach. It gave me the space, the resources, and the confidence to become a teacher who’s capable, intentional, and future-focused. I’ll always be grateful for the chance to have been part of something so solid.
