All in the Family: a Dynamic Teaching Duo at YCIS Beijing

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Pick up a newspaper in most African countries and you will find declarations of China’s undeniable domination of African markets. But the flow also goes the other way. Many African professionals have entered into the Chinese job market, casting their lot in one of the most prosperous countries the world over. Joseph and Susan Mwangi, Kenyan nationals, are two such professionals, living and working in Beijing in one of the city’s top international schools: Yew Chung International School of Beijing (YCIS Beijing). And while the jury is still out on whether or not it is good idea to work in the same company as your spouse, the Mwangis have taken on the challenge, James working as a Chemistry teacher and Susan as a teacher’s assistant.

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Though their work means they are together all day every day, this wasn’t always the case, as for close to two years, they were separated when Joseph first moved here for his position at YCIS Beijing.  But that was rectified this year when Susan and their two children, Keyshia and Brayde, also moved to Beijing and the family was reunited once more. As to how the two came about their opportunities to work in YCIS Beijing, Joseph admits something that most Africans living and working in the capital and the greater China are likely to experience. Career opportunities for African nationals are limited, even though international schools such as YCIS Beijing are known to have a large roster of qualified African nationals on their teacher rosters. “Beijing and Tianjin were the only places that were willing to offer me a job. So, I chose Beijing”, says Joseph. And here he has remained, working to mold his students while making what is sometimes considered a challenging subject, Chemistry, to be accessible and fun to learn. To this, he adds, “Creating an environment of mutual respect and one that supports students to succeed in their school life.”

Susan herself is a bona fide scientist, having graduated with a degree in Biochemistry. She too has grand ambitions for her students, explaining: “I am passionate about helping the students become the best versions of themselves and to feel accepted, and for the parents to give them assurance that their children are safe being in this school.” It is a passion she wishes to continue well into the future, as does Joseph, with both planning on pursuing their postgraduate studies in the not so distant future.

For many professionals with young families, their work-life balance is constantly thrown off kilter, even more so when in a foreign country, with language and cultural barriers to contend with. But both Joseph and Susan believe their personal lives here in Beijing not only lend to, but enhance their abilities as educators. “Being a parent helps me understand my students more. I listen to my son as he airs his opinion and so do I with my students,” says Joseph, with Susan commenting on the wonderful opportunity of connecting with other international families also living in Beijing. The two lovebirds, who recently celebrated their sixth marriage anniversary, also intimate an unexpected secret. While most professions are likely to negatively affect a marriage, theirs has only strengthened their connection. As Joseph puts it, “I think it keeps us close. Our jobs allow us to be at home before dusk and help each other in taking care of children,” with Susan adding: “Let me say for us it been a lot of change, but it has made us stick together and bond, since we spend more time together.”The old adage might say “a family that prays together stays together,” but in this case, it might be safe to say that a family that teaches together stays together.

Photos: Courtesy of Susan Mwangi, quotesgram.com

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