Joseph Gitau
Mathematics Teacher · IB MYP & DP · Cambridge IGCSE · A-Level Ready
Professional Summary
Dedicated and results-driven Mathematics teacher with 15+ years of international school experience across the British (IGCSE/Cambridge) and International Baccalaureate (MYP & Diploma) curricula. Currently teaching IB Diploma Applications & Interpretation Mathematics (SL & HL) and IB MYP Mathematics, while serving as Personal Project Coordinator at Westwood International School, Botswana. Proven ability to deliver outstanding results — including a 100% IGCSE Physics pass rate, a record-breaking MYP e-Assessment mean grade, and a Personal Project cohort with all students scoring above 4 and one achieving the maximum score of 7. Built ibtopmark.com, an independent ed-tech platform for IB e-assessment practice. Enthusiastic, organised, and committed to student-centred excellence.
Teaching Experience
IB MYP & DP Mathematics Teacher | Personal Project Coordinator
January 2021 – PresentWestwood International School, Gaborone, Botswana
- Teach IB Diploma Applications & Interpretation Mathematics SL & HL to Year 12–13 students
- Teach IB MYP Mathematics to Year 7–11; achieved the best MYP e-Assessment mean grade in over 8 years (school average 4.28 vs world average 3.2) in 2023
- Personal Project Coordinator for 2 years: 100% pass rate, all students above 4, one student achieved the maximum score of 7
- Built and maintain ibtopmark.com — a self-funded online platform with IB e-assessment and past-paper practice questions
- Integrated MAP assessment data with Khan Academy to create personalised learning pathways for every student
- Established the school's Math Olympiad programme (Kangaroo Maths, University of Witwatersrand, Junior & Senior Olympiad); two students competed internationally in China and Japan
- Proficient in ManageBac LMS and ICT-integrated teaching across the department
- Chess Club Coach (2022, 2023, 2024)
IGCSE Physics & Mathematics Teacher
September 2012 – December 2021Rainbow High School, Gaborone, Botswana
- Delivered Cambridge IGCSE Physics and Mathematics to Years 7–13, including Extended (Advanced) Physics
- Achieved a 100% IGCSE Physics pass rate with 75% of students earning Grade A — recognised as the school's best-performing teacher
- Organised Science Congress, Junior Science Olympiad, and Robotics; two students represented Botswana at the 2018 International Science Olympiad in Qatar
- Introduced and trained all teaching staff on Google for Education during COVID-19, enabling uninterrupted online learning
- Participated in Cambridge IGCSE Physics (0625) Extension professional development (Cambridge Assessment International Education, March 2019)
Volunteer General Science Teacher
January 2012 – August 2012Young Women Christian Association (YWCA), Gaborone, Botswana
- Taught General Science and Human & Social Biology to disadvantaged and adult evening learners
- Provided extra academic support outside class hours, improving learner pass rates
Private Mathematics & Science Tutor
January 2011 – December 2011Kalahari Education Services, Gaborone, Botswana
- One-to-one tutoring improving student test scores by up to 80% through targeted intervention
Temporary Physics Teacher
January 2009 – June 2010Muongoiya Secondary School, Nairobi, Kenya
- Taught Physics (Years 9–12) within the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) curriculum
- Raised Science Congress national competition performance by 20%
Education
Master of Arts in Education
2018 – 2020UNICAF University, Lilongwe, Malawi
Teaching & Learning Management, ICT in Education, Analysis of Learning Disabilities, Research Methods & Dissertation
Bachelor of Education Science — Physics & Mathematics
2004 – 2008Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya
Professional teaching qualifications in Physics and Mathematics
Professional Development & Certifications
| Certification | Awarding Body | Date |
|---|---|---|
| IB DP Mathematics: Applications & Interpretation — Category 2 | IB Professional Development (Online) | March 2023 |
| IB MYP Mathematics — Category 2 | IB Professional Development (Online) | May 2023 |
| Cambridge IGCSE Physics (0625) Extension | Cambridge Assessment International Education | March 2019 |
| Training in Support for Learning — Inclusive Classroom | IB / School-Based | Ongoing |
Key Achievements
Best MYP e-Assessment mean grade in 8+ years (school 4.28 vs world avg 3.2)
Personal Project: 100% pass rate — one student scored maximum 7
100% IGCSE Physics pass rate; 75% of students Grade A
Students represented Botswana internationally in Qatar, China & Japan
Built ibtopmark.com — independent IB ed-tech platform
Led Google for Education rollout across an entire school during COVID-19
Skills & Competencies
Curricula
Cambridge IGCSE/A-Level (British National Curriculum), IB MYP, IB Diploma
Subjects
Mathematics (all levels), Physics, General Science
Technology
ManageBac, Khan Academy, Google Workspace for Education, Microsoft Office, Web Development (ibtopmark.com)
Teaching Approaches
Differentiated instruction, inquiry-based learning, student-centred teaching, formative & summative assessment design
Leadership
Personal Project Coordinator, Math Olympiad Director, Chess Coach, Curriculum Planning
Languages
English (fluent), Swahili (fluent), Kikuyu (native)
References
Crawford Mandumbwa
Former DP Coordinator, Westwood International School
cmandumbwa@westwood.ac.bw
+267-75512909
Dorothy Tsalwa
Secondary Principal, Westwood International School
dotsalwa@westwood.ac.bw
+254-718575674
Mr Parfait
Principal, Westwood International School
+1 (240) 308-2586
Mr Mipata
Deputy Principal, Rainbow High School
+267-76280105