Lesedi Precious Konyana

My biggest takeaway from this book is the mnemonic “PRAY.” When I first picked it up, I had completely different expectations. I was drawn to the book by the title and the name of the author. I genuinely thought it was the Emily Freeman I know, but I soon realized it was not the same person. Even so, I am really glad I read this book. I was not expecting spiritual guidance or stories about church life, but it all felt very close to home.

PRAY:
• Point and call
• Remember your path
• Acknowledge presence
• Yield to the arrows

Understanding this mnemonic is so important, especially when it comes to entering and exiting different “rooms” in our lives. Through reading this book, I found healing from the burdens I carried about some of the rooms I have left behind. It gave me a sense of peace and comfort about those decisions.

What a great book Emily P. Freeman !

I have never enjoyed reading as much as I enjoyed this one. Never Split the Difference truly challenged my thinking, stretched my negotiation skills, and taught me how to carry myself in conversations. One of my biggest takeaways was learning how to stay a step ahead during negotiations. Using labels and mirrors is essential for successful communication.

The truth is, we are constantly negotiating in life, and it is not easy. Most of the time, we respond too quickly. We react without having enough information. I am guilty of that as well, but without identifying the Black Swan, you are most likely to lose. This book reminded me to slow down, to pause, and to be intentional in every interaction with my counterparts.

I cannot say I have mastered everything, but I did apply what I was learning every single day while reading it. It was astonishing to see the reactions 😅 I tried one of the techniques by asking, “Have you given up on this project?” after being ignored during a research project at school, and I was shocked at how quickly I got a response. That moment alone showed me how effective these strategies are.

Another thing that stood out for me was discovering my negotiation style. Realizing that I am an assertive negotiator was eye opening. It made me reflect on both my strengths and my weaknesses. I also had a moment where I felt completely called out. It honestly felt like Chris Voss was saying do not change who you are, but understand your limitations.

Reading this book made me feel alive again. I am so grateful I discovered it, because it has genuinely shifted the way I think and communicate.

If there is one book I will re-read, it is this one.

Now please buy this book, read it and apply it. It will be worth every cent.

This semester, I’m taking an INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN course that focuses on backward design in lesson planning. We’ve been exploring the role of essential questions and how, as educators, our focus should be on fostering student inquiry.

When students respond with a simple “yes” or “no,” they are often demonstrating declarative knowledge. However, when they engage with open-ended questions, they begin to generate more questions of their own. That’s when you know you are educating, not just teaching.

Yesterday, I was teaching about Martin Luther King Jr. Day to my Grade 3 students, and they had so many questions. The open-ended questions I asked encouraged them to think deeply, and they shared insightful perspectives on what equality means and how they feel about how “black” people were treated.

They also asked me questions that left me wanting to inquire further myself. It reminded me of the motto I live by: to teach is to learn.

I won’t go into what was said, but I walked out of the classroom feeling quite emotional. I realized that children’s reasoning is pure until someone begins to influence their thinking. On their own, they embody exactly what Jesus meant when He said, “such is the kingdom of God.

This week was CHALLENGING, to say the least. Because we cannot control how others choose to live or act, nor do we have the privilege of changing their behavior, we must focus on what is within our control: our responses, our goals, and our boundaries. We must not allow anyone to derail us from what truly matters.

Instead of holding onto negativity, I chose to pour my energy into service. I VOLUNTEERED at a South African festival, also known as SaffaFest Taiwan 南非文化祭, an event that celebrates culture-sharing at its finest. It brings people together, creating a sense of belonging while showcasing the beauty and richness of South African culture.

Being in a foreign country, moments like these feel like a piece of home. Sometimes, that is exactly what you need, a refill to keep going.

Serving others shifts your perspective. It moves you away from self-pity and reminds you of purpose. It changes the way you think and, more importantly, the way you show up.

As the scripture reminds us:
“If ye are in the service of your fellow beings, ye are only in the service of your God.”

First day of school. Second semester, here we go. 📚

I am so excited for this new semester because it is another opportunity to learn and grow. This time, I am intentionally implementing the strategies I have been learning. I am choosing to move boldly and not dance around the perimeter of who I am meant to be, but to fully become her.

Even with the very real pressures of tuition fees, accommodation, and insurance payments, I feel content. I am confident that I am exactly where I need to be.

My brain feels stimulated. Challenged. Expanded. That is one of the main reasons I decided to enroll in my master’s program. I wanted a cognitive challenge in a different way.

Although I still work part time, there is something powerful about being a student again. It pushes me to think beyond routine, beyond simply waking up and going to teach. It stretches me.

And I am grateful to be here. NTUE International Master's Program of Learning & Instruction

Thanks Hoàng Thùy Dương for your Photography skills 📸

This morning at 5am, I woke up to watch a woman I have never met defend her PhD dissertation.

I don’t know her personally, but I know what she represents.

Watching a young Black woman from Zimbabwe step confidently into the title of “Dr.” was more than academic achievement. It was representation. It was possibility. It was proof.

She is what so many Black girls dream of becoming.

Since I was a little girl, I have wanted a PhD. I have wanted to be in academia. I have wanted to sit at tables where policies are shaped, where models and frameworks are built, and where decisions that influence laws and systems are made.

Seeing someone who looks like me doing it reminds me that it is all possible.

It is never too late to chase your dreams.
It is never too ambitious to want to influence change.
It is never unrealistic to see yourself at the forefront of policy and transformation.

Congratulations, DR Varaidzo 'Felistus' Kativhu. You are inspiring more people than you may ever know.

And to every young Black woman with a big academic dream: keep going. The world needs your voice at those tables.

❄️ Winter Camp Day 1 Reflections

Winter camp has officially begun, and I am grateful to be experiencing my first one here in Taiwan. From the very first day, it has been encouraging to see how a well structured and supportive learning environment positively impacts student engagement.

Through hands on activities and guided interaction, students are actively developing their English communication skills, collaboration, and confidence. Learning is purposeful and interactive, allowing students to apply language in meaningful contexts while feeling supported to participate and express themselves.

What made the day especially rewarding was seeing students enjoy the process of learning and growth. As a teacher, I also found the experience deeply enjoyable and motivating. I truly love a classroom where students feel comfortable engaging, exploring ideas, and using language authentically without pressure. I am looking forward to seeing how my students continue continue to grow throughout this camp.

I was gifted a book by my co-teacher Helen Lai, and I truly cannot put into words how profoundly grateful and joyful I feel. This book has imparted invaluable lessons that I will carry with me for life. Today, I read the very last page, and my heart is brimming with reflection. I have so much to say, but I will share just three lessons I learned about children from this book.

1. Children are not blank pages.
They possess far more knowledge and awareness than we often presume. They are closer to the spiritual and intuitive realm than we realize. When working with children, we should never assume they lack understanding. They comprehend more than we imagine, often in ways that are subtle yet profound.

2. What we teach is rarely new to them.
Children have already encountered many concepts through play, imagination, and even during rest. Learning has been integrated into their inner world long before it is articulated in the classroom. When we teach, we are not introducing novelty, but rather sustaining and giving language to what already exists within them.

3. This is the most indelible lesson of all.
Children may struggle to clearly articulate what they see, feel, or think, yet they are remarkably expressive through action. Their behavior is not arbitrary. It is revelatory. If we observe with discernment, we can often perceive what is happening at home, how caregivers interact with one another, and how the child experiences those relationships.

When a child appears disengaged, resistant, or disrespectful, it is rarely deliberate. They are communicating in the only way they know how. As educators, we are called to respond not with judgment, but with empathy and understanding. We must look beyond surface behavior and attend to the underlying message being conveyed.

This book reaffirmed why I teach and why children deserve to be seen, heard, and understood with compassion and grace.

First semester done ✅

I’m so grateful for everything I’ve learned during this time. In just a short period, I learned so much and did more than I ever imagined. The lessons I’ve garnered have truly shaped me and will stay with me for life.

Choosing to put myself out there and return to study, without knowing exactly how everything would unfold, was a monumental decision. Starting my master’s degree changed where I stand today, and this first semester has been nothing short of meaningful and rewarding.

There is still so much to learn, and as I step into this new year, I’m filled with excitement and anticipation for what’s ahead. 🌱✨

Grateful, hopeful, and ready for more.

Today, the results for the 120H Taiwan in My Eyes SDG Initiative were released, and my team was not among the final 13 selected teams.

So why am I sharing this?

Because this moment perfectly reflects the power of reframing. One of the most impactful lessons I’ve learned, especially from watching Leila Hormozi, is this:
“Thoughts are not facts.”

People often ask where my confidence comes from. This is it. I have learned not to let outcomes define my worth or capability.

Here is the reality:
• 58 teams applied
• The organizers initially planned to select 12 teams and later expanded the number to 13
• Our team ranked in the top 18 and was placed on the waiting list

Yes, you read that right. Top 18 out of 58.

Even if no team withdraws, this result is a win. Being four spots away from selection is something only a few teams can say. It reflects the depth of work, strategy, and collaboration we put into this project.

Initially, I hoped we would be selected and even win. However, I walk away with something just as valuable. Proof that our work was strong, confirmation that this was a team of smart, capable, driven young women, and my growth as a leader.

I am proud that I followed my instinct to bring this team together, convinced my classmates to join the vision, led the planning process, and worked relentlessly on the travel itinerary that got us this far.

Collaboration is not easy, but it teaches lessons you cannot learn alone. Lessons that matter in leadership, workplaces, and life.

This outcome is not a reflection of our limitations but a glimpse of what could be. For that, I am deeply grateful.

Thank you to my teammates for believing in the vision and showing up fully. This may not have been the ending we imagined, but it is still a WIN.

Honored to have been placed 3rd in the 2025 NTUE Campus English Video Contest as an IMPLAI student. This experience reminded me that learning doesn’t only happen in classrooms but it also happens through creativity, reflection, and courage. Grateful for the opportunity to grow as both a student and an educator. 🎥✨ Thanks to my team members - The dream Team 🙏🏾