2022 cohort of educators
DIANA DEGNAN LaFON
Organization: Notre Dame Preparatory School, Baltimore, MD-USA
Subject: 9-12 English/Humanities, College massage therapy, Middle school drama.
“I believe that it is always a crucial component of teaching to continually challenge ourselves as teachers and mentors.”
MEGAN SAUNDERS
Organization: Carroll school, Lincoln, MA- USA
Subject: Chair of Science Department, 6th/7th Grade Science Teacher
“I want my students to engage in a learning environment that prioritizes cultural awareness. I hope to create an atmosphere where students are exposed to and accepting of the diverse world around them and believe this experiential trip with WTIG can contribute to my ability to do so.”
TETE COBBLAH
Organization: WTIG team, (USA, Ghana)
Subject: Director of Diversity and Inclusion, Art Education (retired)
“As an agent of change, what gives you joy? Do you hear anything that interrupts lives? What do you see that upsets equilibrium? If in your day to day life- in your family, city or town, classroom or living room- you’ve heard desperate cries before or witnessed lives fade from injustice, what are you going to do about that?”
PHILIP AMPOFO
Organization: Presbyterian College of Education, Akropong-Akuapem, Ghana
Subject: Student teacher-Technical Studies
“By introducing me to a different world of teaching and learning, as well as clarifying some notions I may have about the world outside of mine, I hope to benefit personally and professionally from the WTIG experience.”
KWASI NTIM AGYEI
Organization: Kpohe D/A Basic, Kpohe -Prampram, Ghana
Subject: Integrated Science and Creative arts Grades 7 -9
“ I am excited about working with an American team of teachers. Working in a team encourages personal growth, collaborative problem solving and leads to better outcomes.”
GIFTY BEDIAKO
Organization: Papao community Presby. Basic School, Ghana
Subject: Science, Religious and Moral Education Basic 7
“I hope this WTIG experience opens me up to new pedagogical strategies I can use in the classroom.”
TERESA LACKS
Organization: The Carroll School, Wayland, MA-USA
Subject: Upper School Counselor (8th/9th grade) & Art
“Students often internalize the pressures of their own society or family which can result in them feeling trapped and as though there is only one way of doing things. Knowledge of other cultures, other options, and other approaches to work, behavior, and happiness, can help me provide evidence to my students that they have choices in their life.”
TASHA SUMMERS
Organization: Park School, Brookline, MA-USA
Subject: Grade 5 Humanities
“This experience could be life changing for me on many levels: as a teacher in a predominantly white independent institution, and a mother of two young black men.”
DELA AWUTEY
Organization: Osuwem R/C Basic School. Osuwem, Ghana
Subjects: IT, Visual arts, Math
“Through the WTIG program, I have come to realize how important experiential learning is to educators; how cross-cultural experiences can create genuine dialogue about learning, friendship and understanding among different people and cultures.”
ARIANA SANDERS
Organization: Princeton High School, Cincinnati, OH-USA
Subject: 9-12 Govt, U.S. History, African Am. Studies
“In my African American history class, I am looking for more ways to include African history and also an understanding of Africa today. There are many things I would like to add to my curriculum.”
GERTRUDE FEFOAME
Organization: Sight Savers of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
Subject: Advocacy adviser for social inclusion
“I joined the WTIG cohort of 2022 because, as a Ghanaian with disability and a life-long learner, I have never confronted my country’s history and past with the intensity and reflection that WTIG evokes in people.”
TASHA HARRIS
Organization: Codman Academy Charter School. Dorchester MA-USA
Subject: Kindergarten lead teacher, Urban Gardening
“I'm African American and have never visited my Motherland, and learning from Ghanaian Earth Stewards would serve as a catalyst to excite my community to devote more time to nature immersion\gardening and reducing our carbon imprints.”
ELIZABETH UPDIKE COBBLAH
Organization: WTIG team (USA, Ghana)
Subject: Art Education (retired)
“At Ananse Kwae, I was reminded of Agya Koo Nimo’s story of an old man planting trees which he may not live to enjoy, but he plants them “for the pleasure of those yet unborn.” WTIG looks forward to returning to Prof. Opoku’s sanctuary and supporting efforts to create restorative natural spaces where trees are allowed to grow.”
TOM FLINT
Organization: Film building – Lincoln, MA-USA
Subjects: Visual arts, Film and Global Education
“I know this trip would have an impact- building connection with the cohort, visiting cultural and historic sights, learning about Ghanaian arts, and gaining an understanding of the people, systems, values and idiosyncrasies that help define Ghana’s identity.”
JERRY AGYEMFRA
Organization: Presby. College of Education, Ghana
Subject: Student Teacher-Mathematics & ICT Grades 7 - 10
“ I am excited about meeting the American educators in my cohort. I look forward to learning from them and also sharing.”
KRISTA GELLEBERG
Organization: High Tech Elementary Chula VistaTeaching, California-USA
Subject: 5th /6th grades
“I want to bring in an awareness of African cultures into my teaching practice in the United States and inspire my students to invest in our shared connection to the land of Africa.”
CIDI OCLOO
Organization: Accra College of Education, Accra, Ghana
Subject: College Music Education
“Music is everything about living. Even the cry of a baby is music. Ghana is imbued with the rhythm of drums and singing which are vital to our very existence.”
QIANA OTIENO-RUDEK
Organization: Chestnut Hill School Chestnut Hill, MA-USA
Subject: Kindergarten, SEL, Math, ELA, Social Studies
“ I hope this trip will allow me to grow as an educator. The more I learn about people the more skills I bring to the classroom. When I think about the workshops that are provided, I can already envision myself being able to speak and share my experiences more clearly with my students.”
OSA OSAGIE
Organization: The Carroll School; Waltham, MA-USA
Subject: Director of DEI, History, Social Studies (4th, 5th grades)
“ As a teacher and administrator the takeaways from this trip are sure to inform my teaching and learning practices in dynamic ways.”
KERRYN HINDS
Organization: Chestnut Hill School, MA-USA
Subjects: Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Grade 6
“ I hope that my understanding of another country will deepen. That my cultural awareness and responsiveness is honed as a result of this trip and program.”
RAYMOND GILES
Organization: Fayerweather Street School, Cambridge MA-USA
Subject: Director of IT, Digital Citizenship
“I have a deep interest in history and personal stake as a Black man in America of learning from all of the voices not typically included in our classrooms. For me personally and for my students, I want to grow in this area through this program.”
DAVID DUANE
Organization: Fenn school , Concord, MA- WTIG team-USA
Subject: Chair Science department
“This experience is not a tour. It is about deeper learning. A Ghanaian proverb reads: “Knowledge is a Baobab Tree - one person cannot wrap arms around the trunk, it takes many holding hands to hold the trunk.” This is what WTIG is about.”
ELISE MOTT
Organization: New England Innovation Academy, Marlboro, MA, WTIG team, USA
Subject: Social Studies
“I am happy to be working with WTIG this summer, albeit remotely. WTIG is doing what education needs now- immersing teachers in meaningful experiences that translate into honest and useful classroom conversations and curriculum.”
FAMETTA JACKSON
Organization: Hope Tolson Public Charter School, Baltimore, MA-USA
Subject: Math & Writing
“I would like to develop an African Culture Writing curriculum for American schools I would also like to share my experiences with other educators to introduce new teaching strategies I will learn from my experience.”
JENNIFER YOUK SEE
Organization: Beaver Country Day School, Chestnut Hill, MA-USA
Subject: Math 9-10
“As a Math teacher, I hope to be inspired to create multidisciplinary projects for my students.”
MERRILL HAWKINS
Organization: The Park School, Brookline, MA -USA
Subject: 6th grade English/Social studies
“ The 6th grade social studies curriculum I teach is designed solely around Africa. Much of this content aligns very well with the proposed itinerary and workshops, especially in the areas that I wish I knew more about, for example, the continued effects of the Atlantic Slave Trade and colonialism on Ghana today.”