This past year, the Kamawornie Teacher Training Project was featured at two major education conferences in the U.S.—the NAECTE Fall 2024 Conference in Anaheim and the Northeast Tennessee STEM Innovation Hub’s Spring 2025 Regional Gathering. At both events, we shared insights from our work with educators in rural Sierra Leone, highlighting how culturally responsive, contextually grounded professional learning can foster teacher agency, innovation, and collaboration. The presentations sparked thoughtful dialogue around equity, global connection, and the transformative power of teacher-to-teacher learning.

At the NAECTE Fall 2024 Conference in Anaheim, Amie and Olawale had the privilege of presenting on the Kamawornie Teacher Training Project.  

We highlighted our ongoing work with educators in rural Sierra Leone and the unique approaches we are taking to professional learning in early childhood education. The conference brought together a vibrant community of early childhood teacher educators, researchers, and leaders from across the country, creating a dynamic space to discuss the importance of culturally responsive and collaborative teacher development.

Our presentation focused on how our project fosters teacher agency and resourcefulness, emphasizing how contextually grounded professional learning can empower educators and positively impact communities. The session was well received, with attendees engaging in thoughtful dialogue about the global relevance of teacher-to-teacher learning and the practical strategies we used to support educators in challenging environments.

Connecting our experiences in Sierra Leone to the broader conference conversations about equity, innovation, and professional identity in early childhood education was especially meaningful. 

At the Northeast Tennessee STEM Innovation Hub’s Spring 2025 Regional Gathering, Amie had the opportunity to present on the Kamawornie Teacher Training Project, sharing highlights from our work with educators in rural Sierra Leone with a special focus on the STEM education training we did. 

With over 120 STEM educators, leaders, and community partners in attendance, the gathering provided a powerful platform to spotlight the global relevance of teacher collaboration, resourcefulness, and culturally grounded professional learning. The presentation was warmly received, with several attendees expressing how deeply the project resonated with them—one participant even followed up to say they found it inspiring.

It was meaningful to connect this work to a regional conversation about equity and innovation in STEM education and to highlight how teacher-to-teacher learning can cross borders and transform communities. I’m grateful for the support that has made this project possible and excited by the continued interest it’s generating.

Narrated / Written by: 
Olawale Olubowale, MPA, Ph.D  

Presenters:  
Olawale Olubowale, MPA, Ph.D and Amie Perry, M.A.  

With heartfelt appreciation:  
We are deeply grateful to our partners, supporters, and conference organizers for providing a platform to share the impact of the Kamawornie Teacher Training Project. Your encouragement and belief in the power of education continue to inspire and sustain our work. Together, we are helping educators in Sierra Leone unlock their potential and uplift entire communities.

— The Develop Africa Team