ABOUT US
WHAT WE DO
To battle the ever-challenging education system in Liberia, there has always been the need for a collective and institutional effort in this fight. Teach for Liberia (TFL) is a leadership development program designed to address grassroots lapses which contribute largely to the underdevelopment of education in Liberia. Our goal is to offer requisite training and education to our “Fellows”, who in turn will provide the community leadership to help end educational inequity and inadequacy. Our Fellowship promotes a gender-balanced, wholesome and a productive educational environment throughout the country. Since 2019, when Teach For Liberia was recognized by Teach for All as its fifth partner in Africa, we brokered a strategic partnership with the Ministry of Education. This partnership was formed with intention of ensuring that our activities conform with best practices and that the reach of our organization’s impact is widened throughout our nation.
Our primary operation involves training leadership driven teacher recruits, whom we refer to as “fellows”, at our Summer Institute, and dispatching them in underserved urban and rural communities. Our Fellowship aims at not only providing quality education for our children, but also impacting their respective assigned communities in positive ways. To date, the Teach for Liberia program has impacted 40 schools in Montserrado, Margibi, Nimba, Lofa, Grand Bassa, Grand Cape Mount, Bong and Bomi counties. Teach For Liberia has also done professional development training for 4,384 teachers. We strongly believe that with the help of our partners and donors, and the support of our hardworking staff we will soon be actively engaged in all fifteen counties of Liberia.
INVEST IN US. INVEST IN THE FUTURE OF LIBERIA. WORK WITH US SO WE CAN HELP END EDUCATIONAL INEQUITY IN LIBERIA, TOGETHER.
VISION
One day, every Liberian child will have the opportunity to attain an excellent education.
MISSION
To mobilize leaders who will drive the movement towards educational equity and excellence in Liberia.
THE CRISIS
OUR WORK
MEET THE TEAM
Alicia-Ann Caesar has a Master’s in Public Administration in Nonprofit Management from Kean University and a Master’s in Business Administration from Montclair State University. Alicia-Ann brings to Teach for Liberia a combined two decades of project management and nonprofit administration experience. Moving to Community Education and Street Outreach work from Project Coordination in 2008 set the course for her career. For the last 12 years Alicia-Ann has served in the Developmental Disabilities arena building her skills in training, risk, and quality assurance. She joins Teach For Liberia from Pillar Care Continuum (Formerly Cerebral Palsy of North Jersey) where she started as the Director of Training and left as the Quality Improvement, Risk Management and Training Director. Previously, Alicia-Ann was the Director of Quality Assurance and Training at Community Access Unlimited. Alicia-Ann’s volunteer, academic and career experiences led to an interest in the efficacy of training and exposed her to the inequities of education systems. She then began to volunteer her time as a Development Consultant helping to raise tuition funds, school supplies and access to technology to aid students and school administrators in building their capacity. Her dedication to supporting the development of the education system in Liberia is tied to her belief in her country’s bright future. Access to an inclusive, quality education and dedicated and trained teachers is imperative to attain such success.
Alicia Ann-Caesar
CEO
Lawrence F. Fumbah obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from Hallmarks University in Accra, Ghana. Mr. Fumbah worked for the Liberia Electricity Corporation as General Supervisor for Meter installation for over five years. He also served as Program Assistant for the Center for Accident in Health and Life Sciences and Logistic Director at International Medical Corporal. He is currently the Logistics Officer at Teach For Liberia.
Lawrence F. Fumbah
Alumni Manager
Pabutu Swengbe is a graduate of the University of Liberia, he holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Secondary Education with concentration in Mathematics. Pabutu has served for several years as a classroom teacher at Muslim Congress, Jimmy Jlocom, St. Michael High School, among others in Monrovia. Later, Pabutu has been involved in teachers training services for 13 1/2 years by working with USAID and EU sponsored programs respectively, at LTTP, KRTTI, and AQE. Moreover, Pabutu also has extensive experience in organizing and implementing community-driven livelihood projects of which he served for 2 years as a project coordinator with Corporate Habitat and Finance (CHF). Now Pabutu is with Teach For Liberia (TFL) to extend his passion and vision to providing quality
Pabutu Swengbe
Teacher Training & Support Mentor
Coming soon!
Daniel BT Darh
Recruitment Selection
and Maltriculation/Marketing
Coming soon!
Blamah Beyan
Finance
and Administrative Officer
Mr. Kokolee holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology. He served as our Cohort 1 Fellow at the Beh Town Public High School, Bomi County.
Sumo Y. Kokolee
Training & Support/Coach
MEET OUR BOARD
Our Board Chair Dr. Stefania Forte obtained a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood-Elementary Education, Master’s of Science in Counseling and Student Affairs and a Doctorate in Education Leadership with a concentration in Curriculum and Instruction from Cabrini University. She also possesses a certification in Family Literacy. She is a Liberian educator, an advocate, a mother, a Nation Builder and the founder of Stefania Forte Education Foundation (SFEF). Education is not her only passion as she has over 10 years of technical, academic and leadership training in the discipline. Her passion for education propelled her to start a nonprofit organization which extends to Ghana and Sierra Leone. Her work at SFEF helps to change the lives of women and children through the power of education and economic empowerment. Her drive to contribute to positive social change feeds her desire to seek out learning opportunities and enhance her position as a servant leader. Her current mission in life is to inspire purpose and create positive change in others through education, economic empowerment and unity.
Dr. Stephanie Forte
Board Chair
Ms. Zuleka Randall Woods is an accomplished international development professional with deep expertise in governance, public health, and education systems. In her role as Chief Program Officer at the Center for Integrated Solutions (CIS) in Monrovia, she provides strategic leadership for national social and behavioral change communication efforts. Her work includes facilitating high-impact multi-stakeholder engagements such as the Localization Summit, civil society strategy development, and institutional training programs aimed at strengthening accountability. Ms. Woods also offers pro-bono capacity-building support to the Monrovia City Corporation (MCC), working with city officials to improve institutional frameworks, urban planning initiatives, and inclusive decision-making processes. Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Planning, Governance, and Globalization at Virginia Tech University, Ms. Woods brings a research driven lens to governance and policy implementation. Her expertise in public sector reform, collaboration, and urban development greatly enhances the mission and vision of Teach For Liberia. Her leadership and unwavering commitment to Liberia’s development make her an integral part of our governance team.
Dr. Zuleka Randell Woods
Tingba, Jr. holds a Master’s of Business Administration degree from St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia and a Master’s of Public Administration from Villanova University. He holds a degree in general law from the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Laws at the University of Liberia. His Undergraduate, B.Sc.; and Associate degree, A.A. are in Accounting and from the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Zion University in Monrovia, Liberia. Cllr. Aagon F. Tingba, Jr. Esq, is a practicing courtroom lawyer and member of the Liberian National Bar Association, LNBA, and of the Liberian Supreme Court Bar. Cllr. Tingba, Jr. took a position with the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company (LPRC), after being actively recruited as Assistant Comptroller or Chief Accountant, where he served from 2007-to 2009. Following the LPRC, he worked with the World Bank-sponsored Public Financial Management Training Program as the Director from 2009-to 2015. Former Liberian President, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, then appointed him as Deputy Minister for Administration at the Ministry of Education, where he served from May 2015-January 2018. Aagon F. Tingba, Jr., Esq., currently works as a fulltime court room lawyer with the Consortium of Legal Practitioners, Incorporated, in Monrovia, Liberia.
Aagon Tingba
Carmen Cooper brings over three decades of passionate commitment to advancing exceptional learning experiences for students of all abilities. Her career in education has been dedicated to developing effective strategies that help students thrive—whether facing learning disabilities, spectrum-related challenges, socio-emotional barriers, or reaching for new heights as gifted and talented learners. In addition to her work in education, Carmen spent 23 years in the international airline industry, where she focused on business management and global operations. This diverse professional background gives her a well-rounded perspective on leadership, strategic planning, and organizational development. Now based in Northern Virginia, Carmen continues to pursue her passion for experiential education through her work at the Smithsonian Institution’s Museums. There, she facilitates engaging youth and adult programs that promote hands-on learning and cultural exploration. Carmen holds a B.Sc. in Elementary Special Education from Northeastern University in Boston, MA, and an M.A. in Leadership, Conflict, and Change Management from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Her wealth of experience and deep commitment to inclusive, transformative education make her an invaluable member of the Teach For Liberia Board of Directors.
Carmen Cooper
Gbovadeh Gbilia earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from California State University and a master’s in international business from the Howard University School of Business in Washington, DC. Gbovadeh Gbilia had served for nine months as Deputy Minister for Planning, Research & Development in the Ministry of Education under President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. He led the team that carried out the Teacher Testing and Vetting Program which eliminated over 1500 corruption involving teachers. Before assuming this position, he was an Assistant Minister for Fiscal Affairs and Human Resource Development at the same ministry, from 2015 to his promotion. He also worked as a senior technical advisor to the director-general of the Liberian Civil Service Agency from 2013 to 2015. He currently serves as the Managing Director of Bridge Liberia.
Gbovadeh Gbilia
Mrs. Wilrusha Fernandez-Kemokai is a Management Professional with a wealth of experience in Business Analysis, World Wide Business Processing, Project Management, Training management, and Human Resources Management. With a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology, a minor in Management and Organization from Spelman College in Atlanta, Ga, USA, she began her professional journey with IBM in Atlanta. While at IBM, where she spent most of career, she obtained a Master’s of Science in Managerial Leadership from National- Louis University. She is currently the head of the Human Resource Department at the Liberian Petroleum and Refining Company in Liberia, where she overseas training, internships, insurance, personnel management and overall staff wellness for the corporation.
Wilrusha Fernandez-Kemokai
MEET THE ADVISORY BOARD
Dr. T. Nelson Williams, II is a seasoned executive manager and board director with over 30 years of proven leadership and people management experience. He completed his studies at North Carolina Central University with an MPA in Human Resources Management. After working 20+ years in corporate America, he returned to Liberia where he served as Deputy Managing Director and Managing Director at the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company (LPRC). T. Nelson went on to start Integrity Consultancy, which is a firm specializing in Human Resources Management, Project Management, and Petroleum Services. T. Nelson currently serves as Chief Administrative Officer at Conex Oil and Gas Holdings.
T. Nelson Williams, II
Mrs. Julia Duncan Cassell obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Phoenix, USA and later enrolled at the Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts and was awarded an Executive Certificate in Strategic Women Leadership in Government and Peace Building. She further enrolled at the Yale University in New Havens, Connecticut where she obtained another Executive Certificate in Women Leadership. Mrs. Julia Duncan Cassell is the former superintendent of Grand Bassa County and was also elected as Chair of the Superintendent Council by her peers for six consecutive years. Mrs. Cassell played a critical role in helping shape and coordinate Liberia’s National Gender Policy, mainstreaming gender to achieve gender parity and equality as Liberia’s Gender Minister after her appointment.
Julia Duncan Cassell
Amini recently joined the Peace Corps in Thailand as the country director. Before the Peace Corps, she was the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center for Women and Development (EJS Center). Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is the first democratically elected female president of Liberia and in Africa. Amini has worked in leadership roles in organizations that are focused on training and education. She was the executive director of the International University of Grand Bassam (IUGB) Foundation. IUGB is private American-style university in Cote d’Ivoire modeled after Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia. Amini joined the foundation from Africa Integras, where she served as director of strategic partnerships. Africa Integras, a New York-based firm, invests in the development of education infrastructure, including academic facilities, student hostels and faculty housing at African universities.
Prior to her role with Africa Integras, Kajunju was the President and CEO of the Africa-America Institute (AAI), a New York-based non-profit dedicated to strengthening human capacity in Africa and the deep linkages between the USA and the continent of Africa. She is the first African to serve at the helm of the oldest non-profit organization of its kind in the United States. She joined AAI from the Workshop in Business Opportunities (WIBO), a New York-based non-profit small business development service provider serving entrepreneurs in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, where she was executive director for 10 years.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations from Brigham Young University and a Master’s degree in Public Administration (MPA) from New York University’s Wagner Graduate School of Public Service.
Amini speaks French and has a basic understanding of Kiswahili and Linga
Amini Kajunju