Page 20 | Spring 2022
Alumnus positively influencing change
Christian Mbanza
Alumnus Christian Mbanza( BEd’ 17 – Le Bac) is currently a French Immersion Educator at École St. Mary Elementary School in Regina. You may have seen Christian in the news recently regarding his work to bring Black history into prairie classrooms.( Click to read)
Christian has a passion for history and it is one reason he became a teacher:“ I have a passion, not only about important events throughout history, but the people who were able to influence society. I had a history teacher in high school who would always tell us that‘ those who don’ t know history are doomed to repeat it,’ and that continues to echo in my mind. I see how true that is throughout society today.”
Black history is a particular focus for Christian, who says,“ I believe that teaching Black history is often misrepresented or ignored in general and has created a negative image and perception around Africans / African- Canadians. In order for the perception to change, we must first know the history and properly teach the history. When students, Black or White, learn about the positive contributions of Black people, whether it be in science, art, law, and so forth, they are able to gain an appreciation and a new understanding. To ensure that Black history is being implemented, I encourage teachers to use resources by Black authors, writers, artist, and refer to famous Black scientists and mathematicians and incorporate primary sources into reading lists.”
A second passion for Christian is people, especially youth, which is another reason he became a teacher:“ An educator can positively influence and change the course of a person’ s life and that has always been my goal in becoming an teacher,” says Christian.
“ An educator can positively influence and chan www2. uregina. ca / education / news