There’s more to teaching than passion. Just ask Mrs. Mugenzi.

When Mrs. Mugenzi stepped into her first classroom, she thought she was ready.

“I used to think that teaching is not difficult,” she shared. “I thought I’d just walk into the classroom and summarize a lesson.”

She had passion. She had determination. But like many newly recruited teachers across Rwanda, she didn’t have formal training. Her classroom was overwhelming. The students weren’t engaged. Lesson plans felt confusing. And every day, her confidence took a hit.

It wasn’t that she didn’t care—she cared deeply. But she hadn’t yet been equipped.

The Right Tools Can Change Everything

Just a few years ago, Rwanda responded to the challenge of overcrowded schools by building thousands of new classrooms across the country. This positive development led to the rapid recruitment of thousands of teachers, but many of these new teachers hadn’t yet had access to the training they needed to succeed.

That’s where Wellspring is stepping in.

To meet this need, we’ve developed an approach that uses affordable, accessible technology—like video lessons and peer learning groups—to bring high-quality, school-based training directly to teachers. This pilot program supports new teachers like Mrs. Mugenzi in real time, without pulling them away from their communities or their classrooms.

“Wellspring’s pilot came about, and we started watching and sharing the lesson planning content through videos and PDF documents, with support from our school-based mentors,” Mrs. Mugenzi said. “Thanks to this, I now plan and deliver my lessons effectively with confidence.”

The transformation was immense—not just for Mrs. Mugenzi, but for her students too.

From Discouraged to Dynamic

With tools in hand and the support of peer mentors, Mrs. Mugenzi began to find her rhythm. She discovered how to plan clear, engaging lessons. Mrs. Mugenzi learned how to involve every student.

She saw her classroom come to life.

“There are two things I love most about being a teacher,” she shared. “The first is having an engaging classroom where my students listen to what I teach and challenge me. The second is how teaching is a wonderful profession, not because we make a lot of money, but because it’s a calling of transformation.”

And that’s exactly what she’s doing: transforming the lives of her students every single day.

More Than Just a Classroom

Through ongoing mentorship and collaborative learning with other teachers, Mrs. Mugenzi continues to grow. She credits her teacher mentors—called “teacher multipliers”—with helping her apply what she’s learned and improve daily.

“Because they are available and close to us, it’s easier to share ideas and receive feedback that helps us improve,” she explained. “We learn from each other and grow as educators, which ultimately benefits the students.”

Her classroom is no longer a place of frustration. It’s a space filled with curiosity, confidence, and energy.

“When you train a teacher, you make a huge impact, not only on students, but also on the country,” Mrs. Mugenzi said. “Because a teacher reaches many people.”

Why Teacher Training Changes Everything

When students walk into a classroom led by a confident, supported teacher, they’re more likely to love learning, stay in school, and believe they can succeed.

Mrs. Mugenzi’s story is a reminder that lasting change starts with the people at the heart of education. When teachers are equipped with the right tools and support, they create classrooms where every child can be seen, engaged, and inspired to grow.

Because when a teacher is empowered to teach well, a student is empowered to learn deeply—and that’s how brighter futures begin.