In an interview with Viktor-Henrikh Chupryna ’27, Elementary School Teacher Diketseo Mgubungu shared insights into her role at TASIS, where she has taught Pre-Kindergarten since 2025 and serves as lead teacher for Pre-K. Mgubungu also contributes to the performing arts backstage and in costume design, and chaperones High School trips. Her educational background includes studies in international relations, a teaching license from the District of Columbia, and a postgraduate teaching qualification from Liverpool John Moores University. She began her teaching career in Shanghai, China, in 2015, where she worked for seven years primarily in early childhood education after initially teaching students aged three to 18. She then spent two years at an American school in Morocco before joining TASIS. Mgubungu’s teaching philosophy centers on meeting students where they are and valuing progress over perfection. She emphasizes that growth is significant even if it does not align with textbook standards, believing that progression is what matters most. Her motivation to come to TASIS stemmed from Lugano’s balance of city life and tranquility, as well as the opportunity to work in Switzerland. She appreciates the international diversity of her Pre-K classroom and loves witnessing the rapid progress children make, often becoming fluent in a new language within a year. In her second year, she hopes to feel more settled and rooted in the community.
Mgubungu’s experience at TASIS has taught her that anything is possible, as she never imagined teaching in Switzerland. As a teacher, she learned the importance of collaboration and not working in isolation, noting that support is readily available if one asks. She found her sense of community by getting involved and saying yes, even to tasks outside her personal interests, to contribute to the team’s success. A memorable moment was working during the school’s 70th-anniversary celebration, where she was inspired by alumni from seven decades and the life of founder Mrs. Fleming. Seeing the hot air balloon reading “What a Life!” and watching a film about TASIS’s history left her in awe of how one person’s confidence can impact so many lives globally. Mgubungu builds strong connections with students from around the world by embracing differences, a value instilled in her from her South African upbringing. She views TASIS as a place where everyone is a lifelong learner, open to others’ perspectives. Her decision to return for a second year was driven by her love for the community, colleagues, and the school’s leadership, which she trusts to support her growth. She appreciates how TASIS encourages appreciation for the world, nature, and diverse perspectives. Her advice to students is to replace “I can’t do it” with “I can’t do it yet,” emphasizing perseverance. She hopes to inspire future generations to be kind, open-minded, and committed to lifelong learning, valuing the beauty in each person’s background.
