**Names changed to protect identities**
At Wellspring, we seek to be a catalyst for change in education. This means providing schools and educators with the tools to permanently improve the quality of education available to their students. Peer learning—teachers learning from their colleagues and working together to improve their teaching skills—is one such tool. This allows for our School Development Program to grow and achieve sustainability, which means even more students can receive a quality values-based education. Wellspring promotes a uniquely in-depth version of peer learning by encouraging the transferal of skills not just from classroom-to-classroom, but from school-to-school as well.
A regional model of peer learning is important for school leadership, as it allows for model schools—schools that are achieving a high standard in education—to set an example for others in their district. Head teachers can pass along organizational and team building tips to other head teachers, and visiting other schools can inspire and motivate everyone involved. This is exactly what happened to Mary, the Head Teacher at Cyuga Primary.
Mary has experienced exceptional transformation since beginning her training with Wellspring. She has transformed from a head teacher who did not engage with lessons or provide feedback to her teachers, to a head teacher who puts the needs of her school, teachers, and students first. After attending our workshops, Mary now understands the necessity of helping her teachers consistently improve their teaching skills. Through support from our trainers, Mary has learned how to provide positive and constructive feedback during lesson observations. She now testifies that Wellspring has improved her confidence and equipped her to organize peer learning activities. But it was a peer learning visit to Bweramvura Primary, a model school, that sparked a new vision in Mary. Bweramvura Primary was recently named a model school by Wellspring due to its high achievements in quality education, attendance, and team unity. When Mary arrived at Bweramvura, she saw a level of excellence that she wanted for her own school. She sought guidance from the head teacher at Bweramvura, and returned to Cyuga with a renewed sense of passion for education. Mary is working with her teachers to achieve the same level of excellence as Bweramvura. When the teachers at Cyuga Primary organized a teaching aid fair, Mary made sure she was available to meet with all visitors and listened to their suggestions for school improvement. Mary is demonstrating exceptional commitment and leadership and is leading Cyuga Primary towards a bright future in providing quality education for all students.
At Wellspring, we have a vision of seeing all head teachers in Rwanda undergo the same transformation as Mary. We want to see every school striving for excellence as they seek to become a model school. This hunger for school improvement starts with the leaders, which is why we invest in leadership training with head teachers through our School Development Program. Will you partner with us as we strive for excellence in education alongside the head teachers of Rwanda?