On the ground: meet Alice, a Ugandan teacher heading to the US

Apiyo Alice is a modern-day Julia Stiles, an Erin Brockovich of sorts.  You know, that heroine who defies the odds while standing up for what she believes in.  Undeniably, Alice’s focus on her career and education has guided her through life, bringing about opportunities ranging from extensive travel through east Africa to starting to write a book.

Alice will go to the US this winter through the Reciprocal Teacher Exchange (TReX), an initiative under IC’s Teacher Exchange (TeX).  Her trip to the US won’t be Alice’s first time abroad.  Among her peers, Alice is known as the “world traveler.”  She boarded her first flight in 2007, venturing to Tanzania for teaching workshops, and later visited Rwanda to teach English to Rwandan teachers.

Now—three years after her first flight—Alice can’t wait to board another plane and teach in the US.  Ever curious, Alice fired questions at me throughout our conversation, questions like “Will students listen to me?” and “Will they be using computers?” and “What does education look like in an American classroom?”

Alice’s commitment to education and her career caused her to separate from her husband years ago.  “He was threatened by my background and lifestyle,” she explained.  “It’s okay though,” she reassured me, smiling.  “I know there’s a guy out there who will love me for who I am.”  Divorce in Uganda is very uncommon.  In fact, it’s taboo.  The fact that Alice’s career choices were the driving factor in her separation is almost unheard of.  “I’m a mover and a shaker,” she affirmed.  “My husband wanted me to stay home and be a housewife…and I refused.”  Alice is a woman of strength and character.  She believed in herself and wouldn’t let a man smother her passion for teaching.

In Uganda, five of Alice’s six years as a teacher have been spent at Lacor Secondary School—a S4S partner school—where she teaches literature and English to students in ‘O’ level (grades S1-S4).  She’s been involved in TeX for the last two years, team teaching alongside visiting US teachers.

It’s clear that Alice is eager to share her story in the US and model different Ugandan teaching methods and strategies.  “I know we may be lacking supplies and resources from time to time in Uganda, but we do the best we can.”  Alice wants people to understand what life is like in northern Uganda, particularly how people have improved their lives and become more hopeful since peace returned to the region four years ago.  With Alice’s past classroom experience and her eagerness to travel, we’re confident she’ll be a perfect candidate for this year’s TReX.

With a big smile on her face, Alice said something at the end of our conversation that stuck with me:  “Just as my teachers did, I enjoy teaching because it helps me help young students shape their future.”

*****

Stay tuned for more updates and profiles on the remaining Ugandan teachers heading to the US!  Psyched about the ideas underpinning the Reciprocal Teacher Exchange?  Click here to make a contribution to the program and help fund a teacher’s experience abroad.

–Jessica