Dear Readers,

In a world fascinated by celebrities and global icons, it's easy to miss the real heroes in our midst, shaping the future one student at a time. This month at Women Rising Strong, we're all about celebrating those incredible teachers who quietly make huge differences in our lives.

I've stumbled upon many amazing teacher stories that really showcase the power of education around the globe. These four stories, in particular, have truly grabbed my attention with their unique ways of making a difference. Their commitment to supporting and uplifting students shines through, showing what an impact one teacher can have. I hope you find their stories as inspiring as I did.

Teaching Without Tech: Richard’s Creative Classroom in Ghana

Meet Richard Appiah Akoto from Ghana. And imagine this: no computers in sight, but here's Richard, chalk in hand, sketching out the entire layout of Microsoft Word on his classroom blackboard. Why? To teach his students about ICT, even though his school hardly had the tech to support it. His ingenuity and unwavering commitment to education caught the eye of the world, proving that passion and creativity can break through even the toughest barriers.

• Name: Richard Appiah Akoto

• Country: Ghana

• Profession: Teacher at Betenase M/A Junior High School

• Notable Achievement: Gained international recognition for his innovative method of teaching Information and Communications Technology (ICT) without a computer. Instead, he used detailed chalkboard drawings of software interfaces.

• Innovative Teaching Method: Richard drew the entire Microsoft Word interface on his blackboard to teach students how to use the program, despite the lack of actual computers in his school.

• Impact: His dedication highlighted the significant gap in educational resources in rural Ghana and spurred discussions about the need for better ICT education infrastructure in schools.

• Recognition: After images of his chalkboard drawings went viral on social media, Richard received global acclaim for his commitment to education and creativity in teaching.

• Follow-Up: Richard's school received significant support from Microsoft and other donors, including laptops and educational software, enriching the learning environment. Additionally, Richard enhanced his teaching capabilities through the Microsoft Certified Educator Programme, further benefiting his students.

• Personal Motivation: Richard's actions were driven by a belief in the importance of ICT education for all students, regardless of their circumstances.

Teaching on Wheels: Nay's Drive to Educate Beyond Boundaries

Let me introduce you to Nay, a teacher from Mexico who did something pretty awesome. She turned her red pick-up truck into a traveling classroom. Why? Because she teaches kids with disabilities, like autism, and she wanted to make sure they kept learning, even without the internet or books at home. Every day, Nay drove for hours to meet her students face-to-face, showing just how far some teachers will go to make sure their kids get the education they deserve.

• Name: Nay

• Country: Mexico

• Profession: Elementary school teacher specializing in working with children with disabilities

• Innovative Approach: Converted her red pick-up truck into a mobile classroom to continue teaching her students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Target Students: Her primary focus was on children with disabilities, including those with autism, who might not have access to online learning resources or even books at home.

• Daily Effort: Traveled for hours each day to reach her students, ensuring that they received personalized attention and continued their education despite the challenges posed by the pandemic.

• Teaching Method: Utilized the back of her pick-up truck as a makeshift classroom, where she and her students, while wearing masks for safety, could engage in lessons.

• Recognition: Gained admiration and praise on social media for her dedication to her students, highlighting the lengths to which teachers will go to ensure no student is left behind.

• Impact: Her story really highlights the tough situations students and teachers face in places where the internet and school supplies are scarce. It also shows the incredible ways teachers are getting creative to tackle these challenges head-on.

Beyond the Classroom: Zane’s Mission to Feed and Care During Lockdown

Check out what Zane Powles did as a teacher in Grimsby, UK. When COVID-19 hit and everything shut down, he didn't just sit back. Zane personally delivered 15,000 meals to his students' doorsteps, making sure they had food during the lockdown. But he did more than just feed them; he made sure they were doing okay, showing us all how teachers can really make a difference, not just in school, but in life.

• Name: Zane Powles

• Country: United Kingdom

• Notable Achievement: Recognized for his extraordinary efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown by personally delivering 15,000 meals to his students' homes to ensure they had a nutritious meal each day.

• Method of Delivery: Walked door-to-door, carrying lunch packages that contained sandwiches, fruit, and snacks for the students.

• Distance Covered: 900 miles. Zane walked several miles each day to deliver these meals, ensuring that no student went hungry during the lockdown.

• Recognition: His dedication to his students' wellbeing garnered significant attention on social media and from local news outlets, highlighting the pivotal role teachers play beyond the classroom.

• Impact: Beyond providing meals, these visits allowed Zane to check on his students' wellbeing, offering support and a sense of normalcy during uncertain times.
  

Building Bridges with Compassion: Maya Vakfi's Mission for Refugee Children

Consider Maya Vakfi, a group of Turkish teachers running a “Trauma-Informed Schools” program. They work with Syrian refugee children, providing trauma training for teachers, counselors, families, and school staff. Their program helps these children integrate into their new environment through education and play, demonstrating the powerful role educators can play in healing and social integration.

• Organization: Maya Vakfi (Maya Foundation)

• Location: Turkey

• Focus: Supporting Syrian refugee children and their educators.

• Program: Trauma-Informed Schools program.

• Objective: The program aims to address the psychological and educational needs of Syrian refugee children who have been traumatized by war, displacement, and the challenges of resettlement.

• Activities: Provides trauma training for teachers, counselors, families, and school staff to better support the emotional and educational development of children.

• Impact: Helps children integrate into their new educational environments through trauma-informed teaching practices and play, fostering a sense of normalcy and safety.

• Approach: Encourages the development of friendships and social skills among refugee children through play activities, which is crucial for their psychological wellbeing and social integration.

• Collaboration: Works in collaboration with the Turkish Ministry of Education and local schools to implement the program effectively across various educational settings.

• Vision: Aims to create a supportive and understanding educational environment for all children affected by trauma, ensuring they have the opportunity to learn and grow despite their challenging circumstances.

These stories are just the tip of the iceberg. All over the world, teachers are making a difference in the lives of their students, often without fame or big awards. They're the unsung heroes shaping our future one student at a time.

By shining a light on these amazing teachers, we're not just saying thanks. We're recognizing the huge impact they have on us, teaching us, guiding us, and inspiring us to be our best selves. It's about time we give them a round of applause for all the incredible work they do every day.

Got a teacher who left a mark on your life?

We'd love to hear about them! Drop a comment below or share your story HERE and let's fill this space with stories of the teachers who help us rise strong, no matter where in the world we are.

Thank you for believing in the power of education and joining us in this journey towards a brighter future.

S.A. Sterling

REFERENCES:

Teacher Stories. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://teacherstories.org/

Global Citizen. (n.d.). These 10 Inspirational Teachers Are Transforming Education. Retrieved from https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/these-10-inspirational-teachers-are-transforming-e/

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Richard Appiah Akoto. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Appiah_Akoto

Microsoft News Center Middle East & Africa. (2019, March 27). Inspiring Change: Ghanaian Educator Who Taught MS Word on a Chalkboard Reflects on the Year Since His Story Went Viral. Retrieved from https://news.microsoft.com/en-xm/2019/03/27/inspiring-change-ghanaian-educator-who-taught-ms-word-on-a-chalkboard-reflects-on-the-year-since-his-story-went-viral/

Reddit. (n.d.). Richard Appiah Akoto, a Teacher in a Remote. Retrieved from https://www.reddit.com/r/MadeMeSmile/comments/14wnktb/richard_appiah_akoto_a_teacher_in_a_remote/

Grimbarians. (n.d.). Zane Poles. Retrieved from https://www.grimbarians.com/grimbarians/zane-poles

Teacher Task Force. (n.d.). 3 Inspiring Stories of How Teachers Kept Teaching Through the Crisis. Retrieved from https://teachertaskforce.org/blog/3-inspiring-stories-how-teachers-kept-teaching-through-crisis

Maya Vakfi. (n.d.). Education Programmes. Retrieved from https://mayavakfi.org/en/education-programmes/

ScooNews. (n.d.). Teacher’s Picture Conducting Classes in Her Pickup Truck in Mexico Goes Viral. Retrieved from https://scoonews.com/news/news-teacher-s-picture-conducting-classes-in-her-pickup-truck-in-mexico-goes-viral-9203/

Daily Mail. (2020, August 9). Teacher Converts Truck Bed Into Portable Classroom & Drives TWO HOURS to Visit Students. Retrieved from https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-8613199/Teacher-converts-truck-bed-portable-classroom-drives-TWO-HOURS-visit-students.html

The Guardian. (2021, November 13). ‘He’s a Hero’: The Teacher Who Hand-Delivered 15,000 Free School Meals in Lockdown. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/nov/13/hes-a-hero-the-teacher-who-hand-delivered-15000-free-school-meals-in-lockdown

BBC News. (2021, November 5). The Teacher Who Delivered Free School Meals to Pupils. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-humber-59152465

Theirworld. (n.d.). Turkey Teachers Get Trauma Training to Help Syrian Children. Retrieved from https://theirworld.org/news/turkey-teachers-get-trauma-training-to-help-syrian-children/