Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Languages
Websites, Portfolios and Profiles
Hobbies and Interests
Timeline
Generic

Phindisiwe Sthandiwe Mchunu

Pinetown

Summary

Dedicated educator with over 9 years of experience in teaching physical sciences for grades 10-12 and natural sciences for grades 8-9, complemented by 1 year of university-level tutoring. Proven ability to adapt teaching methods to diverse environments and effectively engage students. Experienced administrator and advocate for student welfare, with a history of serving as a student representative council member. Currently facilitating key science concepts at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, inspiring future scientists.

Overview

15
15
years of professional experience

Work History

Educator

Makhumbuza High School
Durban
04.2025 - Current
  • Prepare grade 8 Natural sciences lessons in a manner that they cater for the use of bilingual-translanguaging teaching approach, set and mark formal and informal learner activities, record formal tasks, track learner performance, to count but the few.

Facilitator

Professor A. James
Durban
01.2024 - Current

This is a university-based community engagement project known as Key Concepts in science where I:

  • Deliver engaging science concepts to enhance educator effectiveness.
  • Evaluate pre-test and post-test scripts to ensure quality learning outcomes.
  • Compile detailed reports to drive improvements in educator workshops.
  • Conducted impactful school visits to support and inspire natural sciences teachers.

Tutor

Doctor S.H Ngema
Pinetown
08.2024 - 12.2024
  • Led practical investigations to enhance science comprehension.
  • Evaluated and marked scripts with precision for academic excellence.
  • Provided targeted tutoring to boost second and third-year students' performance.
  • Achieved improved student outcomes through personalized learning strategies.

Practical demonstrator

Ms M.A Good
Pinetown
08.2024 - 12.2024
  • Facilitated successful natural science investigations for students.
  • Evaluated and provided feedback on student practical assessments.

Subject specialist (Teaching Practice)

University of KwaZulu-Natal
Durban
07.2024 - 09.2024
  • Conduct regular school visits to oversee and support seven PGCE Life Sciences and Natural Sciences students.
  • Execute comprehensive observation and evaluation to enhance teaching practices and student outcomes.
  • Provide targeted guidance and mentorship to foster professional growth and development in aspiring educators.

Marker

Language and Arts education
Edgewood, Pinetown
03.2024 - 06.2024
  • Evaluated scripts for EDZU 130 and 240, ensuring accurate grading.
  • Streamlined marking process, enhancing efficiency for both students and faculty.

Educator

Dumaphansi secondary school
Msinga
03.2018 - 12.2022
  • Prepare lessons, teach learners, scribe minutes of the meetings, school administration, prepare learners' tasks, monitor and moderate teachers' files, mark class register, submit learners' work to superiors for moderation, coordinate and facilitate examinations.

Educator

Mzilankatha secondary school
Nquthu
09.2015 - 03.2018
  • Prepare lessons, teach learners, school administration, prepare learners' tasks, mark register, co-ordinate and facilitate examinations, submit learners' work to my superiors.

Communication in IsiZulu tutor

University of KwaZulu-Natal
Pinetown
02.2014 - 12.2014
  • Tutor Communication in IsiZulu 110, tutor IsiZulu conversational 120, mark students' assignments, mark students' examination scripts, submit to module co-ordinator and head of school.

Research assistant

NRF Project (for Prof Buthelezi) at UKZN
Pinetown
10.2010 - 12.2014
  • Organise meetings with research participants, organise research instruments, transcribe data, Organise refreshments and liaise with catering company, book meeting venue.

Administration assistant

University of KwaZulu-Natal
Pinetown
08.2013 - 12.2013
  • Organise the diary for my employer, scribe minutes of the meeting, take office telephone calls.

Administration Assistant

University of KwaZulu-Natal
Pinetown
08.2012 - 06.2013
  • Interact with students, file students' residence records, answer the office telephone, organise meetings, liaise with director of student housing.

Education

Bachelor of Education Honours degree - language and media studies

University of KwaZulu-Natal
Pinetown
12.2014

Communication in IsiZulu -

University of KwaZulu-Natal
Pinetown
12.2014

Bachelor of Education Degree -

University of KwaZulu-Natal
Pinetown
12.2013

Administration assistant -

University of KwaZulu-Natal
Pinetown
12.2013

Masters degree in education - language and media studies

University of KwaZulu-Natal
Pinetown
09.2025

Administration Assistant -

University of KwaZulu-Natal
Pinetown
06.2013

Doctor of Philosophy - Science Education

University of KwaZulu-Natal
Durban, KZN

Skills

  • Administration and research
  • Analysis and design
  • Editing and typing
  • Student assessment
  • Curriculum development
  • Educational technology
  • Community engagement
  • Mentorship
  • Presentation technology
  • Facilitation skills
  • Interpersonal communication
  • Pressure management
  • Assessment and problem solving
  • Mediation skills
  • Science communication
  • Instructional design
  • Performance tracking
  • Professional development
  • Bilingual instruction
  • Lesson preparation
  • Leadership and mentoring
  • Student engagement strategies
  • Lesson delivery techniques
  • Test preparation strategies
  • Critical thinking facilitation skills
  • Language proficiency

Languages

IsiZulu
English
IsiXhosa
SeSotho

Websites, Portfolios and Profiles

linkedin.com/in/sthandiwemchunu-7060aa5b

Hobbies and Interests

  • Conflict resolution
  • Reading and writing
  • Researching about institutions of higher learning

Timeline

Educator

Makhumbuza High School
04.2025 - Current

Tutor

Doctor S.H Ngema
08.2024 - 12.2024

Practical demonstrator

Ms M.A Good
08.2024 - 12.2024

Subject specialist (Teaching Practice)

University of KwaZulu-Natal
07.2024 - 09.2024

Marker

Language and Arts education
03.2024 - 06.2024

Facilitator

Professor A. James
01.2024 - Current

Educator

Dumaphansi secondary school
03.2018 - 12.2022

Educator

Mzilankatha secondary school
09.2015 - 03.2018

Communication in IsiZulu tutor

University of KwaZulu-Natal
02.2014 - 12.2014

Administration assistant

University of KwaZulu-Natal
08.2013 - 12.2013

Administration Assistant

University of KwaZulu-Natal
08.2012 - 06.2013

Research assistant

NRF Project (for Prof Buthelezi) at UKZN
10.2010 - 12.2014

Bachelor of Education Honours degree - language and media studies

University of KwaZulu-Natal

Communication in IsiZulu -

University of KwaZulu-Natal

Bachelor of Education Degree -

University of KwaZulu-Natal

Administration assistant -

University of KwaZulu-Natal

Masters degree in education - language and media studies

University of KwaZulu-Natal

Administration Assistant -

University of KwaZulu-Natal

Doctor of Philosophy - Science Education

University of KwaZulu-Natal
Phindisiwe Sthandiwe Mchunu