Spotlight on Ghana
Barikisu Suleiman, New-Fadama, Accra, Ghana
Empowering Young Minds: A Journey of Dedication and Excellence
I am deeply honored to have been recognized as the Best Primary Teacher in the 2023 Ghana Teacher Prize Award. I teach at Answaru-Deen Islamic Basic School in New-Fadama, Accra, Ghana. Our school, under the leadership of the National Chief Imam of Ghana, Sheikh Dr. Osmanu Nuhu Sharubutu, is committed to providing holistic education, blending academic excellence with strong Islamic values.
Our School and Its Mission
Answaru-Deen Islamic Basic School caters to students from kindergarten through junior high school. Our mission is to offer a comprehensive education that combines academic excellence with strong Islamic values. We aim to foster a supportive and inclusive environment where every student can thrive intellectually and morally.
Our mode of instruction is the English language. English is divided into six strands, each with various sub-strands. We have oral work, which includes topics such as songs, poems, storytelling, dramatization, and role play. Other strands include reading, grammar, writing, writing conventions/grammar usage, and extensive reading. Our students engage in these aspects of the English language daily, from Monday to Friday.
In addition to English, students also learn mathematics, science, computing, creative arts, history, religious and moral education, and Arabic. The academic year is divided into three terms. The first term begins in September and the school goes on vacation in December. The second term resumes in January and ends in April. The third term begins in May and ends in July.
Innovative Teaching Methods
As a grade 5 teacher and curriculum lead, I focus on creating engaging and interactive lessons that cater to the diverse learning styles of my students. I use multimedia resources and organize interactive group activities to make learning an enjoyable and enriching experience. Additionally, I am actively involved in organizing extracurricular activities such as the Book Buddies Club, where students participate in reading, drama, choreography, and debates, fostering a love for learning beyond the classroom. I also organize educational trips for my learners to make learning more interactive and engaging. Some of the strategies I use to make lessons more interactive and student-centered in my classroom include the Quotation Café, Collaborative Summarizer, Juicy Sentence Strategy, Cross-text Analysis, Somebody Wanted But So Then, and Learning Partners.
Professional Development and Training
As the curriculum lead for Answaru-Deen Islamic Basic School, I organize training sessions for my colleagues and educators from other schools to improve their teaching skills, focusing on modern teaching methods to help teachers enhance their classroom lessons. One of the recent training sessions I organized was the "Elevating Learners Through Teaching Excellence Seminar," which I collaborated on with the Islamic Education Unit, Greater Accra. This seminar was designed for teachers of kindergarten, primary, and junior high school in the region, aiming to improve their teaching strategies and classroom effectiveness.
Beyond the Classroom
My dedication to my students extends beyond the classroom. I strive to secure sponsorships for students from deprived backgrounds to ensure they have the resources they need to succeed. In May 2023, I sought sponsorship from the Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Ghana through the Accra Newtown Islamic Hospital and the Zongo Women Livelihood and Empowerment Initiatives to organize a menstrual hygiene exercise for adolescent girls of the school and other girls from the New-Fadama Cluster of Schools. Additionally, I have served as one of the Ambassadors for the Stutters Inclusion Programme for Mainstream Schools (SCIPROMS 2023) at New-Fadama in Accra, an initiative of Honour Barbara Centre for Speech, which aims at helping learners who stutter manage speech difficulty & participate in class/social activities effectively, boost confidence, and empower them to pursue their dreams with zeal.
I am currently the founder of Bilkis Child Education Empowerment Initiatives, a non-profit organization focused on mentoring and empowering young learners in Ghana and beyond. I have also secured support from the Ramafrique Social Enterprise, which trained students from Answaru-Deen and other learners in the New-Fadama cluster of schools on recycling pure water sachets into pencil cases and bags. This initiative instills environmental values in the students and provides each participant with a free backpack to support their education.
Recognizing and Celebrating Achievements
Receiving the Best Primary Teacher award in the Ghana Teacher Prize has been a humbling experience. It has strengthened my resolve to continue innovating in my teaching methods and to share my knowledge and experiences with fellow educators. This recognition is not just a personal achievement but a testament to the collective efforts of my students, colleagues, and the supportive community at Answaru-Deen Islamic Basic School.
Additionally, I have been honored with awards from both the Islamic Education Unit and the Okaikwei North Municipal Education Directorate. These accolades further affirm my commitment to educational excellence and community service.
Teaching is a Calling
Teaching is more than just a profession for me; it is a calling. Every day presents an opportunity to inspire, motivate, and shape the future. I am grateful for the support from my mentors and the broader educational community, which has been instrumental in my journey.
Thank you to TESOL PK12 for featuring my story. It is an honor to share my experiences and to be part of such a dedicated and passionate community of educators.
Ms. Barikisu Suleiman is the 2023 Best Primary Teacher in the Ghana Teacher Prize Award. She teaches at Answaru-Deen Islamic Basic School in New-Fadama, Accra, Ghana, where she serves as a primary teacher and curriculum lead. Ms. Suleiman is dedicated to fostering a love for learning in all students.