On Wednesday, September 14, 2022, Learning Squared, in partnership with Teaching Training Together (TTT-Liberia), launched a one-year professional learning certificate program for school leaders and teachers. The first of three seminars commenced on Wednesday, September 14, 2022, in Kakata, Margibi County, Liberia. The program brought together fifteen teachers and three school leaders from across four schools (ROSODAN School System, St. Effa Elementary School, Minor Community School, and Agape International school in upper and lower Margibi County, Liberia.
The main objectives of this Seminar were to emphasize a transformational style of leadership that would lead to greater collaboration, shared vision, and continuous learning among school leaders and teachers. Becoming an effective teacher begins with an understanding that a teacher’s role is to move learners from their actual (current) ability to their potential ability through a process called the gradual release of responsibility. Margaret Gallagher and David Pearson developed this theory. Key points discussed included the three-step method in the gradual release of responsibility: 1. Direct instruction (I Do) 2. Guided Practice (We do) 3. Independent Practice (You do).
Further, discussed during the training were: How to plan for the school day using the three-step method? What makes a good teacher? How do we support teachers in improving instruction? How can we improve the quality of learning?
The training also brought together other participants, including district and county education authorities. Alvin M. Freeman, Country Manager, and John T. Gaye, County Coordinator of Learning Squared. C. Magnus M. Collins, Operations and Seminar Technician (TTT-Liberia); and Ollie N. White, facilitator and Director (TTT Liberia Office). On his part, the Country Manager of Learning Squared welcomed the participants to the training and highlighted the significance of the training workshop, as schools around the country will soon open. He further stressed the need for more capacity development for teachers, and the workshop is just one of the means to support education in Liberia and the quality of learning.
On his part, the District Education Officer (DEO) Mr. George K. Mambu, and County Education Officer Mr. Stephen H. Toe of Margibi County, lauded the efforts of Learning Squared and Teaching Training Together (TTT-Liberia). Making a brief statement, the County Education Officer, Mr. Stephen H. Toe lauded the efforts of Learning Squared and Teaching Training Together (TTT-Liberia) for organizing the training workshop. He further recommended that the TTT and Learning Squared extend the training to other parts of the county so that other teachers would benefit from the training. In conclusion, the CEO also recommended that the organizations develop the activity for all six educational districts with 1,038 teachers and 5019 schools across the county.
Ollie N. White, facilitator and Director TTT Liberia Office, facilitated the training session. She encouraged participants to return to their respective communities and schools and be able to replicate the knowledge gained at the training. We will follow -up and monitor the outcome of the training in your respective schools, Noted Ms. White.
ABOUT LEARNING SQUARED
Learning Squared Liberia is a registered Liberian civil society. Founded in 2016 and rebranded as Learning Squared in July 2019. The organization supports early childhood (ECE) and primary education efforts in rural Liberia. By providing young people, women, and children access to creative learning opportunities and innovative, scalable ways for women, girls, and communities to finance their small businesses through a social business model and support their children's education.
ABOUT TEACHING TRAINING TOGETHER -TTT-Liberia
TTT (Teaching Training Together) is a professional development program for school leaders and teachers in underserved communities. It started in Haiti and is currently launched in six (6) countries. The program offers a whole school approach to school improvement by encouraging a community of collaboration between school leaders, teachers, and students. It is a one-year certificate program that is divided into 3 intensive seminars throughout a single school year.
In 2019, Ms. Ollie White became the Field Director for TTT Liberia and launched the first seminar at her school, Beautiful Beginnings, in Harbel. Ms. White received a scholarship grant to run these professional learning seminars for school leaders and teachers in 2019. The program has been introduced in eleven schools, currently. A total of One hundred thirty - teachers and 22 school leaders have benefited so far within Margibi and Montserrado counties.