Leonard Ahialey had always wanted to be a teacher, so immediately he completed senior high school, he didn’t waste any time before applying to the teacher training college. He gained admission that same year. When he finished his training, he was posted to his first station where he taught for two years. He spent the next two years at Nkontompo AME Zion, where he now teaches about two hundred students in all. Leornard, pursuing his career, went on to study for a diploma, continuing to the University of Cape Coast where he read science and psychology. He went further to get a Masters degree in Educational Psychology.
Leornard says that his role as a STEM educator helps him to gain more insight into things and helps him to demystify the perception that science is difficult. Another thing he likes about being a STEM educator is that it helps him to inspire his students to be innovative. Mr Ahialey adds that his ability to impart knowledge and improvise to make lessons easy and meaningful to his students keeps him motivated. One thing he is sure of, is that in the future they will be grateful to him for his hand in their achievements. He remembers a female student he taught who was a very serious student. She gained a scholarship to senior high school and passed the WASSCE with 8As.
He was informed about the JUNEOS Challenge by the The Metro Science Coordinator. He then assembled his students and discussed the whole idea with them. They were happy to participate, and so he guided them through the experiment they settled on.
Given the opportunity, Leonard would gladly participate in the challenge again. His experience from the challenge has led to the creation of a small group who use local materials to build things. It has also taught him to focus on the practical aspects of science during his lessons. He also realized that some students suffered from low self esteem. He and other teachers are working to help these students. Personally, Mr. Ahialey isn’t interested in awards. What is important to him is making a meaningful impact in the lives of his students and the society.
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Article by Kofi Konadu Berko.
Kofi Konadu Berko is passionate about education and youth development. He holds a B.A in Adult Education and Human Resource Studies from the University Of Ghana. His works have been published in the historic Afroyoung Adult anthology titled Waterbirds On the Lakeshore, Adabraka: Stories From the Center Of the World, Tampered Press and the Kalahari Review. He blogs at obolokofi.wordpress.com
I am much grateful to you, your team, my students and staff.