Simon, A Teacher Mentor, Transforming Future Preparatory School in Ghana

Meet Simon, a dedicated educator who has been teaching at Future Preparatory School since 2017. Over the years, he has continued to grow professionally through Opportunity International EduFinance’s Teacher Mentor Professional Development Program. The skills he has gained have helped him deliver stronger lessons and support better learning outcomes for his students.

As a Teacher Mentor, Simon regularly observes and guides his fellow teachers. He shares that the mentorship training introduced him to effective teaching strategies that have transformed how he teaches and supports his colleagues.

Before joining Future Preparatory School as a tutor, Simon worked as a volunteer teacher. Since then, he has witnessed remarkable changes at the school, from infrastructure improvements to student enrollment.

Through the Teacher Mentor program, Simon has learned to work effectively with children with diverse learning behaviors. He shares, “Before, we didn’t know how to use phonics books. The training helped us understand them. We also didn’t know many teaching strategies, but the program has changed that. Now, our lessons help children stay active and engaged in class.”

Simon is not alone in this work. His fellow tutors, Wassah and Monah, also serve as Teacher Mentors. Together, they support the school’s teachers and help strengthen teaching practices across the classrooms.

According to Wassah and Monah, the Teacher Mentor program has given them valuable insights into managing both slow learners and fast learners. They are now more intentional about creating inclusive classrooms. One of the tools they use is the “Magic Box.”

The Magic Box is an engaging technique adopted from the “Cold Call” strategy taught in the Teacher Mentor Professional Development Program.

A box or container is filled with the names of all the students in a class. When the teacher asks a question, they don’t choose a student by hand. Instead, they shuffle the names and randomly select one from the box to answer.

This simple method keeps students attentive, encourages participation, and ensures that every child gets a chance to contribute during lessons.

Simon attributes much of the school's growth to the trust parents have in the teachers. “Parents trust us because we treat their children well and take good care of them. That’s why people in the community prefer to bring their children here,” he explains.
Simon also acknowledges the positive influence of the school’s proprietor, Mr. Adam Abdul-Razak Fombia, whose character and leadership have contributed significantly to the school’s development. “He is well respected and has a clean heart,” Simon said.

Opportunity International EduFinance’s Teacher Mentor Professional Development Program strengthens teaching quality in affordable non‑state schools by equipping Teacher Mentors to coach and support their peers through structured, data‑driven professional development. The program integrates in‑person coaching with digital training tools such as the Chalkboard app, enabling mentors to conduct classroom observations, access training guides, and build teacher capacity aligned with recognized professional standards.

Delivered through the broader EduQuality initiative, the program contributes to improved instructional practices and learning outcomes across thousands of partner schools each year, fostering sustainable school‑based professional learning communities and supporting long‑term education quality improvement in low‑ and middle‑income countries.