Lessons of culture

By Maryann Koopman

It’s 1 p.m. on a Monday and educational psychology is in session. Dr. Lisa Ncube, assistant professor of education at Anderson University, begins class by asking about the class’s experiences thus far as student teachers. As she listens to their stories of classroom satisfaction or disappointment, it is apparent that though she expects a lot from them, she treats them with sympathy, consideration, and fairness.

“Things happen — life happens,” she says. “Sometimes it’s not your fault. When these situations arise, try not to allow frustration to build. Frustration will affect your ability to focus.”

Ncube, who is from Zimbabwe, spent three semesters at AU, and found respect among her students and teaching peers.

“She is a very intelligent woman,” says student Kara Betten. “She has a wonderful personality and would bend over backward to see you succeed. She has accomplished so much in her life.”

“Dr. Ncube isn't an easy teacher and she expects a lot from her students,” adds Diana Ross, dean of the AU School of Education. “She knows that students will need a deep understanding of theories to be able to teach children. She spends time with students and works with them to achieve and excel.”

Being in the United States has been a learning experience for Ncube, as well. The African sub-region from which she hailed has suffered a long history of political unrest as the government and radical guerrillas have fought over power and independence. Despite growing up in a world of instability, Ncube was blessed with a good education — her country is one of the more educated countries in the sub-region — and went from high school onto college, earning her bachelor’s degree in education at a school in Sierra Leone.

Ncube discovered early on that education was her niche. After college, she taught high school and worked in the Ministry of Education as a curriculum developer and education officer. She earned her master's degree in England. In 1994, she was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship, which she used to earn her doctorate at Purdue University. She moved to the United States at that time with her two sons and began yet another life in a strange place.

“Coming to America changed my views of America because Zimbabwe — especially pre-1980 — had a socialist-leaning government,” Ncube says. “America, obviously being very capitalistic, was painted with a certain kind of brush. But, being here and seeing for myself, I realized it is just politicians’ agendas being put forward when they described America.”

Now, Ncube says she can better see the “merits and demerits” of both capitalism and socialism — however, she has taught herself to look at people above all.

“Politics are very, very different from the people,” she says. “People are just people.”

And in the process, Ncube also tries to dispel the myths of her own culture.

“People think you’re from Africa, you live in trees and swam your way across the ocean to America,” she says with a laugh. “But, Zimbabwe is a very westernized country — the most popular show in Zimbabwe in 1994 was Baywatch.”

Based on her own experiences, Ncube encourages her students to explore different cultures. She praises programs such as AU’s TRI-S for helping to bridge the gap. “You can’t imagine how much wealth you gain from culture,” she says. “Your whole perspective of the world changes — you’ve only had a very narrow window up until now.”