Saturday, October 25, 2008 marked the completion and resounding success of Phase Two of Teach Africa in Houston. The World Affairs Council of Houston, Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership and The Africa Society of The National Summit on Africa worked in collaboration to create the USAID-funded Africa-education program, Teach Africa. The multi-phased Teach Africa program orients superintendants and principals, trains teachers, and educates students about the rich culture and history of the continent of Africa and the importance of its inclusion in American education. Phase Two took place at Texas Southern University, and resulted in the training of over 230 dedicated teachers from 19 Houston area school districts!
Phase Two of Teach Africa began with an explosive keynote address from Obiageli Ezekwesili, Vice President for the Africa region of the World Bank. As former Minister of Education in Nigeria, Ezekwesili spoke with passion about the crucial role of teachers in producing enlightened and understanding citizens of the world. Empowered and exhilarated by Ezekwesili’s energy and expertise, the crowd of teachers sprang to their feet for a standing ovation. Keynote speaker, His Excellency Kailash Ruhee, Ambassador of Mauritius to the United States, spoke about the importance of Africa education in America and the boundless opportunities that lie undiscovered in Africa. The Ambassador reminded the crowd that human life began in Africa and quoted Mark Twain as having remarked (after his stay in Mauritius in 1896) "Mauritius was made first and then heaven; and heaven was copied after Mauritius". Fellow speaker Dr. Kenneth Vickery of North Carolina State University also shared his wealth of knowledge about the continent.
Each teacher in attendance received gift bags full of Africa focused educational materials such as, lesson plans, playing cards, DVD’s from the Travel Channel and the Discovery Channel Global Education Patnership, publications from the World Bank and much more. Teachers received specific curriculum instruction with respect to the materials they received and were able to attend workshops of their choice. Workshop options included The African Economy, Geography, African Politics/Political Economy, Health and Diseases, and Religions in Africa. The teachers dined on Ethiopian food for lunch and concluded the day with a reception and dynamic African dance performance.
Houston is the fifth city to host the Teach Africa program. To date, Teach Africa has been implemented in Washington D.C., San Francisco, Pittsburgh, Portland, Houston, Los Angeles and Atlanta, orienting over 1,080 superintendants and principals, training over 1,700 teachers and educating over 5,500 students.
Here are some of the things Houston teachers had to say about Phase Two of Teach Africa:
“It was a pleasure to attend the amazing conference today. I loved learning so much and being in the presence of such distinguished speakers…I am using a lot of the information I got Saturday in my classes today.”
-Susan K. Hollier – High School Geography Teacher
“I wanted to let you know that the conference was awesome! I was so thrilled that I was able to make it there. The speakers were so incredible. It was a fantastic experience and a gift to a tired and overworked teacher.”
-Diane Reitmyer
“The media aspects are wonderful. It will help show my students that Africa is so much more than disease, poverty and depression.”
-Tammy Koonce- High School Teacher
“I had the opportunity to speak with Mr. Ambassador Rhuee personally and found him to be delightful. I also was thrilled to spend time with Brigadier General Ron Sconyers. He was so compassionate and passionate about what PFP (Physicians for Peace) is doing. He encouraged me to peruse some things that are on my heart towards the African continent.”