At EduSpots, we believe in equipping local changemakers with the tools, mindset, and networks they need to transform their communities through education. This belief was brought to life through the experience of Hamidu Kaadri, Peer Mentor for Spot Leadership, and Spot Lead at Yamfo Spot, who shares how his participation in the inaugural EduSpots Catalyse Leadership Programme marked a defining moment in his personal and professional growth.
“Before joining the Catalyse Leadership Programme, I was an ordinary headteacher. I returned not just as a school leader, but as a strategic thinker, a change agent, and a community builder,” he reflects.
The five-day residential leadership academy was not just a training, it was a transformation. The programme equipped Hamidu with leadership, strategic planning, and stakeholder engagement skills. As a result, his approach to school leadership shifted dramatically. He began engaging more intentionally with parents, religious leaders, teachers, and educational stakeholders, inviting them into a collaborative vision rooted in EduSpots’ community-led, play-based learning model.
The impact on learners was immediate and inspiring. Learners began to lead their own learning through peer teaching and collaborative activities. Teachers, too, embraced more inclusive and safeguarding-focused approaches, creating a safe and supportive environment, especially for learners with special needs.
The ripple effects reached beyond the classroom. Within two months of implementing the new strategies, his school gained recognition through local competitions, saw a rise in enrollment, and became a model for other schools in the Tano North District, Ahafo Region. His leadership journey evolved further as he took on peer mentoring and educational research roles.
“The Catalyse Leadership Programme gave me more than skills, it gave me vision, confidence, and a community,” he shared. “It’s not just about personal development. It’s about leading your staff, fellow Catalysts, learners, and your entire community into a better future.”
Hamidu also credits the Catalyse Leadership Programme with giving him his first exposure to digital tools like Zoom and Google Meet, enabling him to now confidently connect with fellow headteachers and stakeholders virtually. This digital growth has filtered into the classroom, where learners are now engaging more freely with technology, embracing research, and even adopting Catalyst-like roles through play-based, learner-driven approaches. “If you want to be known as a changemaker,” he urges, “take the EduSpots model seriously.” His message to new participants is clear: this programme is not just about personal development, it’s about transforming your community.
As we begin the 2025 Catalyse Leadership Programme, we encourage all participants to take this opportunity seriously. Your growth as a Catalyst doesn’t end with you, it lights the path for many others. Together, we are not only teaching; we are transforming communities.
The Catalyse Leadership Programme is fully funded across 2024-2025 by the EA Foundation, a UK-based foundation set up to support community-driven initiatives which work to support disadvantaged communities.
For more information, visit www.eduspots.org.