by Mayeselo Makhenjera, Malawi
Mayeselo has recently been appointed as a Teach2030 Ambassador and immediately set to work by sharing the importance of teacher professional development in his community.
Alongside sharing his own experiences of the TPD courses he has taken, which have helped support and improve his own teaching, Mayeselo set about inspiring others in different schools about the impact Teach2030 can have on educators in improving their knowledge and pedagogy in their classrooms.
Mayeselo travelled to the Covenant Institute and this is his story.
“I recently had the opportunity to conduct a Teach2030 Teacher Professional Development Orientation and Capacity-Building Session at Covenant Institute secondary school with participants from Kasemba Village School held in the old mini – Lab classroom. The session aimed to introduce teachers to the Teach2030 platform and guide them on how to register, navigate courses, and begin their professional development journey.
The workshop began on a very positive note, with strong interest and participation from teachers and school leadership. Participants were eager to learn about the platform, especially the availability of free online courses with certification that can directly improve classroom practice.
Shortly after the session began, we experienced an unexpected power outage, which affected the use of the PowerPoint presentation. However, the session continued successfully through a more interactive and discussion-based approach. This allowed for deeper engagement, as teachers asked questions, shared experiences, and actively participated throughout the session.
Despite the challenge, I guided participants step-by-step on how to register on the Teach2030 platform, ensuring that they understood the process clearly. Teachers were encouraged to explore key courses such as Being a Professional Teacher and Growth Mindset for Teachers, which are highly relevant to improving teaching practices.
The response from participants was very encouraging. Many teachers expressed appreciation for the platform and showed readiness to begin the courses. The school leadership also welcomed the initiative and acknowledged its potential impact on improving teaching and learning within the institution.
In addition to the session, I conducted a brief interview with the Headteacher, who shared positive feedback on the relevance of Teach2030 and its potential benefits to both teachers and learners. he said “This training has opened our eyes to practical and accessible ways of improving teaching. Teach2030 is a valuable opportunity for our teachers to grow professionally and better support our learners”.
Overall, the workshop was a success, demonstrating that even in the face of challenges, meaningful learning and professional growth can still take place. I remain committed to supporting teachers through Teach2030 and look forward to expanding this initiative to more schools.
Our Teach2030 Ambassadors are true believers in the power of professional development in teaching and how working to improve teacher practice is vital in improving successful student outcomes. They are in-country representatives of Teach2030 and champion our cause tirelessly, with Mayeselo being just one example of this.
The Commonwealth Education Trust invests in teachers in low- and middle-income settings by providing accessible teacher professional development. Teach2030 is a professional development platform providing low data, contextualised courses, workshops, teaching tips and resources. It can help both individuals and schools to upskill their practice.
Please contact us for more information or to upskill your own teaching practice.
