What happens when outstanding educators are given the opportunity to learn beyond borders?
At The Roman Ridge School in Ghana, excellence in teaching is celebrated through the Teacher of the Year Award (TOYA), an honour reserved for educators who go above and beyond in shaping learning, leadership, and student impact. As winners of this prestigious award for the 2024/2025 academic year, Joyce Dekagbe (Junior School Maths Coordinator) and Rosina Akpey (Middle School English Coordinator) embarked on a transformative three-week educational and cultural exchange experience in South Africa; one week of professional engagement in Johannesburg, followed by two weeks of relaxation and reflection in Cape Town.
Their professional journey began in Johannesburg with visits to two remarkable Cambridge schools: SAGAN Academy and Andrews Academy. At both institutions, Joyce and Rosina immersed themselves in diverse classroom environments, observing lessons in English, Mathematics, Literature, Economics, Accounting, Biology, and Business Enterprise across Junior and Senior School levels.
The experience extended far beyond observation; they shared Ghana with the world. Through presentations about Ghana and The Roman Ridge School, they introduced students and staff to their school culture, educational philosophy, and commitment to nurturing globally minded learners. What emerged from these exchanges was more than professional dialogue; it was the beginning of meaningful international connection.
At Sagan Academy, students responded with extraordinary enthusiasm and curiosity. Some envisioned virtual slam poetry competitions between schools, while others imagined future inter-school sporting events. Their ideas reflected something powerful: young people instinctively understand that collaboration creates possibility.
At Andrews Academy in Randburg, the two award-winning educators experienced another inspiring model of education grounded in community, creativity, leadership, and student confidence. They not only observed learning but actively participated in teaching and professional exchange, strengthening relationships that stretched beyond geography and culture.
What stood out throughout the journey was a shared commitment to preparing students for a rapidly changing world; one where empathy, global awareness, communication, and collaboration matter as much as academic achievement.
For Joyce and Rosina, this was more than a professional opportunity. It was proof that when schools invest in teachers, the impact reaches far beyond classrooms, crossing borders, shaping futures, and inspiring the next generation of globally minded learners.
