In the realm of education, there are shining stars who go above and beyond to shape the future of our youth. We have the privilege of celebrating one such luminary—the Head Teacher of the Year 2022 for the Arusha District of Tanzania, Mr. Augustino Joseph Migire. He was given this award by the District Executive Director of the Arusha District, who claimed Mr. Migire’s exceptional performance led his school to new heights. Join us in recognizing this remarkable journey of dedication, innovation, and leadership.
STS has had the pleasure of working with Mr. Migire at one of the Whole Child Model focus schools. We are thrilled at the recognition he has received, as it is well deserved!
Head Teacher of the Year Augustino Joseph Migire with STS’s President and Co-founder Mark Lynd.
The Arusha District’s Head Teacher of the Year, Mr. Augustino Joseph Migire from Songambele Primary School, demonstrated unwavering commitment to his role, according to the district officer. Mr. Migire journey is a testament to the profound impact a dedicated leader can have on a school community.
Mr. Migire has led with a clear vision, setting ambitious goals for his school and inspiring the entire staff to strive for excellence. After receiving several trainings from School-to-School International, his ability to foster a shared vision was strengthened and was instrumental in driving positive change.
The hallmark of a great educator is a focus on the students. Mr. Migire consistently put the needs and aspirations of his students at the forefront. For example, he made arrangements for students who could not read or write to stay after class and work with him one-on-one. This student-centered approach has resulted in improved academic performance and overall well-being, and has allowed Songambele teachers to be more effective in the use of collaborative methods, such as sharing teaching materials and lesson planning. All these are the results of the training received from STS.
During a visit to Songambele PS, Mark Lynd, President & Co-Founder of School-to-School International, congratulated Mr. Migire for the leadership he showed toward his teachers. It’s one thing to introduce teachers to ability grouping, peer coaching, and best practices in teaching reading and math. It’s another thing to have a school leader who participates in those trainings, then encourages teachers to use these new methods. These, Lynd noted, are the hallmarks of a good leader – things that motivate teachers, improve their practice, and ultimately produce high-achieving students.
Building strong connections within the community has been a priority for Mr. Migire. He worked to involve parents and village leaders in the educational journey, creating a sense of unity. Parents contributed to the food program for their children, and the village office provided the school with a farm so that they can plant crops for their children.
Recognizing the importance of continuous learning and in-service training, Mr. Migire invested in the professional development of his staff, ensuring the entire team was equipped with the latest knowledge and skills to deliver quality education. He participated in trainings provided by STS which helped build the teaching capacity of his colleagues. He even transferred his knowledge and skills to other nearby schools by arranging to meet with their teachers and share what he had learned.
Through the school results in 2022, the district’s quality control team was amazed to find that all students from grade one to seven knew how to read, count, and write. This is something that is not normal to other primary schools. They were also pleasantly surprised by the class seven and class four national exam results.
In celebrating the Head Teacher of the Year and the leading school, we honor the dedication, passion, and innovation that drive excellence in education. Mr. Migire has not only transformed a school, but has also changed the lives of countless students, setting a shining example for educators everywhere. We’re excited to continue to support and celebrate such remarkable leaders who make a lasting difference in the world of education.
This post is authored by Esther Lali. Esther Lali is a development expert passionate about community-driven development to co-create solutions to everyday challenges. Lali works as STS’s Whole Child Model Tanzania assistant based in Arusha, Tanzania. In this role, she supports the coordination of STS’s activities on the ground. This month, she reflects on her time working with the Whole Child Model.
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