In this Teaching for Change interview, Author Nancy Flinchbaugh interviews Kwasi Daniel Aygei Ntim, a Mathematics, Science and Creative Arts teacher for grades 7-9 at the Kpohe D/A Basic School in Kpohe -Prampram, GhanaKwasi shares his journey into teaching, motivated by a vision to build the nation through educating the youth. He describes his involvement with Witness Tree Institute of Ghana, where he was recommended by his college vice principal and later became the music director. Kwasi emphasized that his role in music was a natural development, and he has been involved with the organization since 2021. Kwasi also shares his perspective on music as an unspoken language that carries emotional weight and connects him to his ancestors, noting its healing properties and ability to foster community. He emphasized the importance of unity and support within a community, drawing parallels to the strength found in the Witness Tree program's cohorts. Kwasi talks about how the experience has enriched his sense of identity, adding a layer of emotional and spiritual knowledge beyond academic learning. He explains his mission to nurture cultural roots in his students, weaving African traditions into his teaching of math and science to create a more holistic educational experience.Dirge and Ancestral Ceremony.Kwasi discusses the significance of a dirge called "Blewe" played at a ceremony honoring enslaved Africans and the bones that were returned. Kwasi explained that the dirge, played slowly, is an African funeral song that brings back ancestors to the land and offers them dignity. Nancy expressed her thoughts on the overwhelming loss and injustice of the slave trade, emphasizing the need for acknowledgment of the suffering that occurred. Kwasi discusses the wisdom and complexity of Ghanaian poetry, particularly Akan proverbs, which convey deep meaning through intricate language patterns. Kwasi recited and translated a few lines, explaining that each word and rhyme holds significant wisdom and power. Nancy and Kwasi discuss the Witness Tree program, which is available to teachers from other countries as well as Ghanaian teachers. Kwasi expressed hope that participating teachers would gain a renewed sense of pride and purpose in their pedagogical heritage, emphasizing the importance of incorporating indigenous knowledge and storytelling into teaching. He highlighted the program's potential to empower African children by making education more relevant through the itegration of local languages and traditions. In this conversation, Kwasi discusses his teaching philosophy, explaining that he teaches for change by connecting with students' hearts, heads, and hands, aiming to develop their intellectual, emotional, and practical skills. He emphasizes that great teaching involves understanding and directing students towards their rightful destinations, rather than just delivering content, and he draws inspiration from multiple role models in his community. Find more information about The Witness Tree Institute of Ghana at witnesstreeinstitute.org.
