GSP February Mentors of the Month.

Written by Abigail Chifusa, Global Schools Project Officer.

At the Global Schools Program (GSP), we believe that educators play an important role in shaping the future. 

Every month, we take time to celebrate outstanding mentors who are making a difference in their communities and contributing to mentoring Global Schools Advocates.

This February, we are proud to recognize eight exceptional mentors who have shown dedication, passion, and commitment to Education for Sustainable Development (ESD).

These educators have gone above and beyond to inspire their mentees with their experiences, knowledge and resources. Join us as we celebrate their achievements and contributions to quality education worldwide.

Afreen Khan introduced the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at her school and enrolled the institution in the Global Schools Program (GSP). Following this, she ensured that SDGs became a central focus across the school. Students participated in various initiatives, such as collecting plastic bottles, creating bottle cap artwork, and designing a sustainable café to be constructed in the future. This design won first place in the Simply Bottles competition in the UAE. Through these initiatives, she significantly promoted SDG awareness at the school.  

For the past five years, Ayse Aydogan Gezer’s school has been implementing STEM for SDG lessons, integrating sustainability and global citizenship into education. 

As a Global Schools Advocate, she has actively shared her experiences and best practices with other schools in Turkey, inspiring them to adopt similar approaches. 

Through collaborations, mentorship, and workshops, she has guided educators in incorporating SDGs into their curricula, fostering a new generation of responsible, solution-oriented students. Her efforts have not only transformed her school community but have also contributed to a growing movement of schools committed to sustainability and innovation.  

Bushra Afreen introduced the SDGs at her school and enrolled the institution in the GSP program. She ensured that SDGs remained a key focus throughout the school. Students engaged in various sustainability initiatives, such as plastic bottle collection, bottle cap artwork, and the design of a sustainable café, planned for future construction. This project earned them first place in the Simply Bottles competition in the UAE. Through these efforts, she created a significant impact on SDG awareness at the school.  

Ergün Karaca, along with his co-mentor Richard, designed a checklist to streamline the role of Global Schools Program Advocates. He has delivered presentations at various congresses and conferences to raise awareness about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Global Schools Program. Additionally, he organized training sessions for teachers under the Ministry of National Education in Turkey on sustainability and the Global Schools Program.  

His work includes conducting thinking workshops on SDGs and developing Gamified Lesson Plans. He is currently designing various training materials and workshops on sustainability. At his school, he organizes training sessions for students, teachers, and parents, covering the environmental, economic, and social dimensions of sustainability. Rather than treating the Global Schools Program as a separate project, he integrates sustainability awareness into the daily lives of students and educators. His vision is to instill sustainability awareness in all children across his country and around the world.  

As a Global Schools Mentor, Garima Singh has played a crucial role in empowering educators to integrate Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) into their teaching practices, fostering a culture of global citizenship and sustainability. Through structured mentorship, she has guided educators in designing impactful initiatives aligned with the UN SDGs, enabling them to implement meaningful changes in their schools and communities.  

By leading collaborative discussions and problem solving sessions, she has provided strategic insights to overcome challenges in sustainability education. Her mentorship includes guidance on climate action initiatives, zero-waste policies, and student-led projects such as the Sustainable Warriors programme, an initiative that cultivates responsible environmental behaviors through daily actions and incentives.  

A strong advocate for student agency, she has encouraged educators to shift from teacher-led to student-driven initiatives, fostering leadership, autonomy, and lifelong engagement with global challenges. Through knowledge-sharing, curating best practices, and continuous support, she has played a transformative role in strengthening a global network of educators dedicated to developing sustainability-conscious learners.  

Samson Oyebade began his international advocacy campaign in Kazakhstan, where he teaches students from diverse backgrounds across Asia and Europe. With over a decade of experience in Nigeria and Kazakhstan, he has made significant contributions to quality education through innovative teaching and learning approaches.  

As a Research Scholar in the Research Methods Program 2024 at the Leaders of Africa Institute, he is committed to advancing the African community through research and education. He has participated in numerous professional development programs, including Unlocking the Power of Inclusion for Equitable Growth (World Bank, 2022), Advocate for Global Schools Program (2022), Global Online Youth Education Summit (GOYES 2021) (Akanksha Charitable Trust, India), and Compassionate Integrity Training (CIT) for Educators in Africa (Mindful African Initiative, 2021), among others.  

Currently, he has been selected for the Africa SDGs Mentorship Programme (SDGs-AMP), a comprehensive initiative aimed at equipping him with the skills, knowledge, and networks needed to drive sustainable development across the continent. His leadership in education and sustainability continues to impact students and educators globally.  

As a passionate Global Schools Advocate and Global Schools Advocate Mentor, Richard Bello is committed to advancing education for sustainable development.

Through mentorship and advocacy, he empowers educators and students to integrate the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into their learning environments. With extensive experience in the non-governmental sector and a strong background in community development, Samson is actively promoting innovative educational strategies, including games to facilitate learning.

As a mentor, he guides emerging advocates, fostering a new generation of leaders.

Emmanuel provides guidance and resources to advocates for integrating sustainability initiatives into classrooms and schools. He helps educators integrate knowledge of the SDGs into their teaching in a practical and meaningful way.

As a current Commonwealth Shared Scholar and recipient of various fellowships, such as the 2024 OMLA Fellowship, the 2023 YALI Regional Leadership Center Fellowship (Cohort 46) in Accra, Ghana, and the SAIL Teachers Fellowship, he is committed to helping advocates advance their careers by connecting them with opportunities. His project on climate change education was among the 11 initiatives recognized at TeachersCOP 2024 in Baku, Azerbaijan, by the Office for Climate Education. He uses these experiences to guide and support advocates in both their sustainability efforts and professional growth.

Through his mentorship, many of his mentees have successfully implemented sustainability projects in their schools, creating a real impact in their communities while also accessing career-changing opportunities.