2024 Cohort of Educators for the Witness Tree Institute Program in Ghana
Esther Joy Long
School: Carroll School, Lincoln, Massachusetts
Subject: Reading
Grades: 8 and 9
Years of teaching: 18 years
“I taught management classes at the University of West Florida for seven years. After starting my family, I made a career change. I have been teaching dyslexic students how to read for the past eighteen years. This past fall, I started attending a student affinity group for students of color, and this winter I have agreed to take on more of a co-facilitator role. I have gained a great appreciation for the discomfort that experiential learning can produce and also for the powerful learning that occurs when students have an opportunity to try new behaviors and reflect on their learning.”
Chantei Alves
School: Mattapan, MA - Boston Public Schools
Subject: Special education
Grade: Kindergarten,
Teaching Experience: 10 years
“I am always looking for ways to authentically implement culture and identity into my interdisciplinary lessons. I believe in involving the community and taking my students on at least one walking field trip a month to connect what we are learning within the classroom to their outside community. I am intentional about ensuring that my lessons are as hands-on and culturally engaging as possible, being as resourceful as possible.”
Joanna Dunn
School: The Fenn School, Concord, Massachusetts
Subject: Ceramics, 3-D Art
Grade: 4-9
Teaching: Since 1992
“I enjoy meeting people, like learning about others' perspectives, and love exploring new places. I hope to learn more about Ghana, a place I have never been and know very little about. I also hope to gain that amazing perspective that travel gives one- of "getting away." from one culture and seeing things from a different viewpoint. I have never been to the African continent before and I know it is so culturally rich in art and ceramics.”all the difference.
JD Daniels
School: Church Farm School - Exton, Pennsylvania
Grade: 9-12
Subject: STEM/Technology, Computer Science Programing
Teaching Experience: 3 Years
“The Witness Tree Institute of Ghana program will contribute to my growth by broadening my cultural understanding, providing valuable insights to integrate into my communities, and strengthening my ability to design inclusive and culturally relevant curricula. As an educator at Church Farm School, where I engage with students from diverse backgrounds and distinct strengths, my goal is to deepen my appreciation of diverse cultural perspectives and their historical significance.”
Kwame Cobblah
Kwame Cobblah
School: Carroll School, Lincoln Massachusetts
Grade: 6-8
Subject: Community based education/History/Dean of Students
Teaching Experience: 13 years
“By engaging with Ghanaian educators, students, and communities, I hope to gain insights into alternative approaches to teaching and learning, curriculum development, and educational leadership. I believe that these global perspectives enrich educators' understanding of educational theory and practice, inspiring us to incorporate diverse perspectives and worldviews into our teaching to broaden students' horizons and foster global citizenship.”
Charline Alexandre-Joseph
School: Massasoit Community College, Brockton, Masschussetts
Subject: Career, education mentorship
Teaching Experience: 16 years
“My hope is personal and professional enrichment. I recently joined Massasoit Community College and; they recently established a Black Studies program that could benefit from what I learn on the trip. On the personal front, this opportunity would provide me insight to my family's ties to Ghana and allow me to speak to a firsthand experience and self-reflection upon my return.”
Monica Lynn Pohovich
School: Sandra Day O'Connor HS, Helotes, Texas and Northwest Vista College, San Antonio, Texas
Grade: 9-12, Tertiary
Subject: History and Social Studies
Teaching Experience: 29 years
“I hope to be able to better portray to my students the horrid conditions of the enslavement of human beings. I hope to humanize those people they read about in their History books (both the enslavers and the enslaved). I want students to be able to see and connect the actions of 400 + years ago to still having effects today.”
Kristin Marie Boone
School: Church Farm School, Exton, Pennsylvania
Subjects: Modern Global History, Anthropology and Human Rights and Revolutions
Grade:10th Grade
Teaching Experiences: 11 years
“Over the past 11 years I have tried to find as many opportunities to broaden my understanding of the world as possible. I have done extensive professional development with the National Consortium for Teaching about Asia. This year, I hope to learn more about areas of the world I am less familiar with. I am always looking for new projects, topics, resources, content, and experiences for my students and I know that this experience with the Witness Tree Institute of Ghana would add greatly to both my personal learning, as well as my teaching.”
Meghan Marie Doyle
School/: Notre Dame Preparatory School in Towson, Maryland
Subject: Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Theology Department –Morality and Social Justice. Human Rights and Genocide courses.
Grade: 6, 7-8, 9th-12th
Teaching Experiences: 10 years
“I believe this program will give me an authentic and all-encompassing view into the culture of another country; something that can only benefit DEIB initiatives and guide our practices, especially in cultural competency. I am drawn to so much of this program simply by reading through the itinerary – from learning about Ghanaian perspective on spirituality and collective community, a deeper dive into the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, to experiencing a connection to nature and art firsthand – there is so much beauty and richness to learn about and share with my community.”
Kwasi Ntim Agyei
School: Kpohe D/A Basic School, Old Ningo-Prampram District, Greater Accra
Subject: Mathematics and Creative Arts and Design.
Grades: 7,8 and 9
Teaching Experience: 3 years
“I am a musician and a cultural enthusiast. I love studying about my people and others. Exploring African history, American History and the identity of others will boost my confidence and improve my communication skills. I enjoy working with teams and I perform my best when I am collaborating. I hope to have the opportunity to share Ghanaian songs and learn songs from my American brothers and sisters too. I am looking forward to the opening of a new world to me.“
Dela Awutey
School: Doryumu MEthodist BAsic School, Doryumu, Dodowa,
Subject: Creative Arts and Computer Science
Grade: 7- 9
Teaching Experience: Five years
“Experiential Learning often involves stepping out of one's comfort zone, which can lead to personal growth and development. I hope to hone my confidence, resilience, and adaptability as we navigate unfamiliar situations and environments in this program. Cooperative learning, as part of the program, encourages friendships, communication and collaboration. I hope that I learn to communicate effectively and leverage each other's strengths to achieve common goals.”
Ernest Adjei
School: Presbyterian College Of Education- Akropong
Subject: Career Technology
Grades: 7,8 and 9
Teaching Experience: 3 years
“I view this program as one of the best gifts I have ever received; a gift that allows for my personal growth in a unique way. As asign language interpreter and a teacher, I am excited to have been given the opportunity to work with a diverse group of educators from Ghana and North America. It is my hope that the experience gained as a cohort member of the Witness Tree Institute will help broaden my scope of knowledge and aid me relate every lesson I teach to real life experiences especially from my American counterparts.”
Kwasi Godwin Afful
School: Accra College of Education, Legon
Subject: English Language
Grade: 6-8
Teaching Experience:: 2 years
“ For me this program is a window into exploring the uniqueness of my identity and my Ghanaian culture. I hope to gain learning from the positive network with both local and international educators- sharing and questioning will contribute to my future career as a professional educator whose goal in life is to make a significant impact in the lives of the people of my country. On a personal note, I hope to begin confronting my insecurities and gain confidence through this program even as I welcome new perspectives and change.”
Olivia Williams
School: Aflao Evangelical Presbyterian Basic School, Aflao, Ghana
Subjects:
Grade: 7, 8, and 9
Teaching Experience: : 2 years
“As an artist, singer, and teacher my personalstrengths include my passion and curiosity for new adventures and ideas. I am excited at the opportunity to expand my world and knowledge. I cannot wait to add to my curriculum and teach from my learning this summer. I learn by doing, and so as I, see, listen, and engage with myself and my North American friends in adventure, I hope to gain more than pedagogical skills. I am excited and will contribute positively to the objectives of my cohort and the program with passion!”.
Ama Acheampong
School: Nyigbenya D/A basic B, Old Ningo, Greater Accra
Subject : English Language/Literature
Grade: 7
Teaching Experience: 3 years
“I consider myself versatile and willing to engage differences and unfamiliar roles when they come my way. I am not the best public speaker. but I see a way forward. It is my hope that this program and my interactions with people from a totally different cultural background, would help me develop confidence and public speaking skills. Furthermore, participating in the Witness Tree Institute program may open a wide range of benefits for my students as I grow and acquire stimulating knowledge to enhance their learning too.”
Elizabeth Updike Cobblah
Co-founder, WTIG program leader
“As a retired teacher who taught in Ghana and the USA, a mother and grandmother, I will be returning to Ghana for the twelfth time in June. What I love about the Witness Tree Institute program are the gifts of shared discovery and experience. Learning through the lenses of others, while unlearning and relearning makes for beautiful expansive growth. Employing gracious space, the program and the culture of Ghana give us the gift of our human-ness across differences.”
Tete Cobblah
Director, Founder and co-leader
“Congratulations to our 2024 WTIG cohort. I am filled with immense pride and gratitude for the opportunity to run and lead another WTIG program in Ghana. The Ghana Witness Tree institute is an idea that aspires to give rise to questions and discussion and harness the use of personal experiences to enhance teaching, personal and institutional growth. Each year we realize aspects of the dream we had not considered or expanded. The beauty of a non-profit like ours also lies in the joy of sowing seeds and realizing the germination of unexpected fruits. ”