TUESDAY South Writing School

Tamara Jacod, an education specialist with a Master’s from the University of British Columbia, focuses on AI's impact on education. With expertise across North America, Asia, and Africa, she leads initiatives at Fondation Paul Gerin-Lajoie, ensuring quality and building capacity. Her speaking engagements include high-level panels at various education conferences.

Dr. Alexandra Gottardo is a Full Professor in Psychology at Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. Her background is in educational psychology and speech-language language pathology. Her research focuses on the links between language and literacy in at-risk learners including second language learners and learners in the Global South.

Caitlin is the inaugural Chief Executive Officer of the Luminos Fund, a philanthropic initiative dedicated to advancing education innovations for the world’s most vulnerable children. Luminos believes in the power of creative pedagogies and activity-based education to transform children’s lives in the poorest corners of the world. Prior to the Luminos Fund, Caitlin served as a senior leader within the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, helping to grow the organisation to steward over $1 billion in charitable giving. She founded and led the foundation’s office in South Africa and built MSDF’s impact investing portfolio. Caitlin holds a degree in Political Science from UCLA and is pursuing an Executive Masters with the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University.

Faiza Manzoor is the Director of Strategic Initiatives at Beyond Literacy, Southeastern Pennsylvania's leading Title-II Adult Education Organization. Formerly the COO at The Stanford Daily Publishing Corporation, Faiza has a strong background in organizational leadership and adult education. She holds Bachelor Degrees in Psychology and International Relations from Stanford University.

Fatimah Ogunjimi, holds a first degree in combined sciences from the University of East London and a master’s in medical Biochemistry from Brunel University and a Post graduate certificate in Education (P.G.C.E) from University of Hertforshire. She is the director of Blackbelts at 1Million Teachers (1MT). A Project officer and educational consultant with experience in Nigeria and the United Kingdom. Over 20 years’ experience as a class Teacher with excellent communication skills and a demonstrated history of working in the education management industry. Passionate about African history and indigenous languages has Instagram page dedicated to promoting African History and a YouTube channel to help African children in diaspora learn Yoruba, (a south-western, Nigerian language). As the director of Blackbelts, organises weekly, continuous professional development sessions for teachers online. Coordinates the HP Mentor a teacher programme, where a more experienced Blackbelt is paired with a less experienced Blackbelt for six months to help improve personal and professional skills such as; digital literacy, effective leadership, success mindset and gender equity. Started teaching at Al Muntada Islamic School, in 2004, later became Science coordinator. Then she moved to Gatton Primary school where she worked for four years before moving to Marvels Lane Primary school. Moved back to Nigeria to work as a class teacher and Literacy coordinator at Inspire Academy Abuja, the following year she became Key stage 2 coordinator and later promoted to Academic coordinator before leaving in March 2018 to join Esteem International school as Headteacher. A transformational Headteacher promoting inclusion and STEM education. Worked as a Project officer on Continuing learning through alternate home and community-based platforms on behalf of 1MT and the N.G.O (His Marvellous Grace Support Foundation) a response to the Covid -19 pandemic of 2020, by the Nigerian department for Education This involved training 3,500 teachers in 3 states, creating workbooks for basic Literacy and Numeracy, carrying out assessments, collecting, analysing data and writing monthly reports for UNICEF. Head of Administration at Al Ansar Centre for Education, overseeing the organization and management,recruitment of teachers and other school staff. Currently working as a supply teacher in the U.K teaching across various secondary and primary schools.

Hakeem Subair, the founder and CEO of 1 Million Teachers (1MT), is a distinguished figure in the field of educational innovation. He is an Edtech Fellow in the Cambridge University/HP Partnership for Education, a testament to his commitment to leveraging technology for educational advancement. Hakeem holds a master’s degree in Management Innovation and Entrepreneurship from the Smith School of Business at Queen’s University, complemented by a Certificate in Social Impact from the same institution. His academic journey also includes a Bachelor of Commerce Degree in Business, with a concentration in Strategy and Entrepreneurship from the University of Windsor, Canada, and a Bachelor of Finance from the University of Ilorin, Nigeria. Hakeem’s dedication to education and entrepreneurship is reflected in his numerous academic awards and honors, including membership in the Golden Key International Honour Society. His expertise has also led him to serve as an adjunct professor, teaching courses in Innovation and Change Management, as well as Artificial Intelligence and Entrepreneurship. These roles have allowed him to apply business principles to tackle global challenges, further shaping his vision for 1 Million Teachers. The inception of 1MT is deeply rooted in Hakeem’s personal experiences. In 2008, faced with challenges in finding suitable educational facilities for his daughter in Nigeria, Hakeem and his family established their own school. This venture exposed him to the profound issues plaguing the Nigerian education system, particularly the chronic shortage of qualified teachers. Motivated by this revelation, Hakeem embarked on a mission to transform education through 1 Million Teachers. 1 Million Teachers began with a vision as expansive as the Saharan sky and a determination as steadfast as the roots of the baobab tree. The organization aims to ignite a transformative wave of highly trained, innovative educators capable of driving grassroots change in their communities. The journey of 1MT is a narrative of struggle, resilience, and triumph, mirroring the challenges and victories that define educational reform in many parts of the world. 1MT has faced numerous challenges, akin to navigating a swollen river threatening to burst its banks. Despite these obstacles, 1MT has grown from the seeds of passion, extending its roots to the heartlands of Africa and beyond. The organization has trained over 60,000 educators across more than 20 countries, impacting approximately 4 million students indirectly. This growth is a testament to the founding vision and the resilience of the 1MT community. One of the flagship initiatives of 1MT is the Blackbelt Program, an innovative teacher training model inspired by martial arts. Teachers progress through various levels of mastery, from white belt to black belt, by completing online courses, mentoring sessions, and community projects. This program covers essential aspects of teaching, such as pedagogy, curriculum design, classroom management, leadership, and innovation. It also provides teachers with access to a global network of peers, experts, and partners, fostering a collaborative learning environment. In partnership with HP and Girl Rising, 1MT has launched the HP Mentor a Teacher Program, focusing on gender equity, digital literacy, leadership development, and success mindset. This six-month program pairs HP employees with Blackbelt educators, enhancing their ability to empower girls and advance quality education. 1MT also collaborates with numerous academic institutions and organizations to provide supplementary teacher education, global knowledge exchanges, and professional development opportunities. These collaborations ensure that aspiring teachers receive comprehensive training that prepares them for the challenges of the education sector. Hakeem Subair’s leadership and vision have positioned 1 Million Teachers as a pioneering force in global education reform. His unwavering commitment to applying business principles to educational challenges continues to drive the organization’s mission of building a critical mass of highly trained, enterprising education changemakers. Through innovative programs, strategic partnerships, and a deep-rooted passion for education, Hakeem and 1MT are shaping a brighter future for educators and students worldwide. On a quest to build a critical mass of highly trained and enterprising education changemakers who will lead grassroots improvement within their communities, 1 Million Teachers continues to inspire educators to become leaders and change-makers in their communities, fostering a culture of lifelong learning and resilience. With Hakeem Subair at the helm, 1MT stands as a testament to the power of education and the human spirit’s ability to overcome adversity and create lasting change. Key Stats: Educators Trained: 60,000+ Countries: 20+ Students Impacted Indirectly: 4 million Female Educators: 61%

Rasheedat Sadiq holds a certificate in teaching English to speakers of other languages (CELTA). She works as a language teacher and academic coordinator- ICICE Al Noor Academy, Abuja, Nigeria. She is a passionate literacy advocate and reading coach who runs a mobile library called The Mobile Reading Room which gives children in underserved areas around the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria access to books and explicit instruction on a wide range of comprehension strategies. She is a mentor to pre-service and in-service teachers and a certified instructional coach who also trains teachers on learner-centred pedagogy with focus on utilizing emotional intelligence to derive learning outcomes. She is a storytelling expert and champion public speaker who loves to share her knowledge and experiences at webinars, workshops and conferences. Some of her previous paper presentations include: Socio-affective Strategies in English Language Teaching 13th ELTAN Conference Sept. 2024 Fostering Learner Engagement Through Storytelling AfricaELTA Conference Egypt, May 2024 Optimising Resources in English Language Classrooms English Language Teachers Association of Nigeria April 2024 The Role of Classroom Research in Enhancing Teaching and Learning -TESOL Convention Mar. 2024 Promoting Intercultural Understanding- British Council Teaching English Africa Feb 2024 Storytelling as Tool for Building Language Skills Qatar Uni 8th International Conference on ELT –Nov. 2023 Critical Thinking in the English Language Classroom WACATEC Conference- Developing Nov. 2023 Storytelling as a Means of Social Emotional Learning Storytelling in Education Conference Sep. 2023 Future Directions in ELT: The Promise of the Humanistic Approach The Power of Storytelling in the Language Classroom AfricaELTA Conference, Angola May 2023 Promoting Higher Order Thinking in the English Language Classroom Using Stories to Teach English Language ELTAN Conference, Lagos, Nigeria- Sep. 2022 Storytelling as a Tool for English Language Teaching AfricaELTA Virtual Conference Aug. 2021 She is a budding materials writer who has authored two published books namely; a children’s fiction titled ‘Ramadan Escapades’ and a non fiction titled ‘A Practical Guide to Public Speaking’. Her current goal is to create materials that are suited to the African context and can be used to promote intercultural understanding. She has received the following awards: Pearson English Global Teachers Award (Africa and Middle East) for the year 2000 And HHMSII SDG Challenge Winner 2021 for her project ‘The Mobile Reading Room’.

Rizma Butt, the co-founder and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of 1 Million Teachers (1MT) and 1MT Cares, is a passionate advocate for human capacity development and community upliftment. With a strong background in social entrepreneurship, Rizma is dedicated to empowering educators and providing inclusive education, particularly in underserved regions across sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Her expertise in building cross-functional and cross-continental partnerships has led to transformative educational initiatives aimed at addressing global challenges, such as the teacher shortage and gender inequality. Rizma holds a Master of Management Innovation and Entrepreneurship from Queen’s University, and she continues to serve as an Adjunct Professor at both Queen’s University and St. Lawrence College. In these roles, she fosters entrepreneurial mindsets and empowers aspiring minds to think creatively about solutions to real-world challenges. Rizma’s leadership extends to her work with NGOs in Pakistan, where she has collaborated to provide free education to underprivileged children, further cementing her commitment to access and equity in education. As a social entrepreneur, Rizma thrives on collaboration. She has worked with renowned partners such as HP, Girl Rising, UNESCO, and UNICEF to design and implement innovative solutions that tackle critical social challenges. Notably, her work on the HP Mentor a Teacher Program, which focuses on gender equity, digital literacy, and leadership development, is a testament to her belief in the transformative power of education. Rizma’s leadership also extends to her role as Operations Manager for the MSII SDG Initiative, a movement initiated by His Highness Muhammad Sanusi II to address the educational crisis in sub-Saharan Africa. Through this initiative, she promotes Quality Education (SDG 4) and Gender Equality (SDG 5) by empowering teachers to become grassroots changemakers in their communities. A champion of women’s empowerment, Rizma’s inspiration stems from her own upbringing, particularly the influence of her mother, who instilled in her the importance of education and financial independence for women. This personal mission drives Rizma’s work at 1MT, where she is committed to elevating the role of teachers as community leaders, advocates for girls’ education, and

Priyanka Sharma, Vice President of World Education, leads U.S. and Asia education initiatives, overseeing global projects. With over 18 years in nonprofit leadership, she's an expert in foundational literacy, digital literacy, and technology integration. A seasoned speaker, she recently presented at SXSWEDU, advocating for education access and digital equity.

Ambreen Ahmad, Executive Director at MTML . Has presented at various literacy conferences including Con/Ex 2023 in Ottawa, Decoda Literacy Conference 2024 in Vancouver and is presenting at 2024 Professional Development Conference for Practitioners: Expanding Connections Across Communities in Nova Scotia.

Elisabeth Gerger is a Senior Literacy and Education Consultant with SIL Global, working in Africa. Patrick Gondwe is the Literacy Coordinator of the Bible Society of Malawi. Ari Vitikainen is the Senior Literacy Advisor at the Finnish Bible Society. They have collaborated in local language adult literacy projects in Malawi.

Mailce Borges Mota (PhD) is professor in the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Her research focuses on the interaction between language processing, memory and attentional systems, and environmental factors.

Mr. Liaqat Masih is Executive Director at BRIC Pakistan. He has been working for deprived communities since 1997. He believes that Education in the only way to Success for the masses that are passing lives below the poverty line and deprived of rights and better life.