“Even though I did not get the job offer, I felt like a winner. As a shy person, I was very happy and proud of myself for taking the steps to put myself on LinkedIn and even apply for a job and get an interview.”
William Kofi Alorka is a professional teacher of English and Ewe Language at Atanve D/A Basic School. Beyond the classroom, he serves as a chaplain and Professional Learning Community (PLC) leader, mobilising fellow teachers every Wednesday at 2:00 PM to engage in structured learning sessions on selected topics. Sometimes he facilitates the sessions himself; other times, he empowers another teacher to lead.
William loves to read and write, often capturing reflections about Ghana, his personal journey, and happenings within his community. He also enjoys singing, as he humbly admits, “even though my voice is not good.”
As the DigiLit Club Assist Strand Lead at Atanve Spot, William supports learners to enhance their literacy and digital skills by guiding them to participate in monthly challenges (project-based learning) and actively engages in club activities. Yet, like many educators, he once struggled to navigate his own digital journey.
Discovering EduBytes
William was introduced to the EduBytes training by a fellow Catalyst who had participated the previous year. After hearing how impactful and informative the programme had been, he decided to enrol. The February session on Personal Branding immediately captured his interest.
He recognised the growing importance of online presence and understood how strategic branding distinguishes individuals in today’s competitive job market.
Before the training, however, managing his digital presence was a challenge. “I struggled to manage my digital presence and did not know how to use social media as a professional teacher,” he shared. LinkedIn was unfamiliar territory.
He also admired the guest speaker for the session, Rafiat Bawa, and had long been inspired by how she positioned herself online. Seeing her introduced as the facilitator strengthened his excitement. The opportunity to learn directly from someone he admired felt both timely and empowering.
From Learning to Action
As part of the project-based assignment, William created and optimised his LinkedIn profile and shared a reflection on the session titled Create a LinkedIn That Speaks for You.
Before he even posted his reflection, something remarkable happened. His profile was shared on the EduBytes WhatsApp Hub as a model example. “This really made me feel happy and motivated”, he said with excitement. Shortly after, his Regional Coordinator, Cynthia Mawuena Tetteh, visited the Spot and commended him for taking the bold step to create a LinkedIn profile, offering guidance on how to position himself responsibly for opportunities.
Encouraged, William began engaging more intentionally on LinkedIn. While scrolling through his feed, he came across a job advertisement for an Instructor role for which he met all the requirements.
“At first, I was sceptical,” he admitted. “But I decided to take the opportunity to apply.”
He progressed through the first stage of the interview process and advanced to the second stage. Although he did not ultimately secure the position, the experience marked a personal breakthrough.
“Even though I did not get the job offer, I felt like a winner,” he reflected. “As a shy person, I was very happy and proud of myself for taking the steps to put myself on LinkedIn and even apply for a job and get an interview.”
For William, the victory was not just about employment. It was about confidence, courage, and growth.
Practical Skills, Lasting Impact
One of the most transformative aspects of the training was the practical digital skills component.
“For the first time, I got to know the uses of certain Gmail features like Carbon Copy (cc), Blind Carbon Copy (Bcc), attachment and how to schedule an email,” he shared.
The clarity of facilitation turned everyday tools into professional assets. The training did more than build competence; it reshaped mindsets.
Becoming an Ambassador for Change
After experiencing the impact firsthand, William took it upon himself to encourage fellow teachers and Catalysts to join the next EduBytes session.
He understood that collective participation would strengthen the digital capacity of the entire community. By equipping teachers with practical digital skills, they can integrate tools into lessons, clubs, and classroom activities, ultimately building the digital confidence of learners as well.
Reflecting on the programme’s relevance, William believes its reach should extend beyond EduSpots Catalysts. In his view, many teachers are missing a life-changing opportunity to prepare themselves for the future of work and community leadership.
“My sincere gratitude goes to EduSpots for this vision to unite communities to lead the kind of change they want to see,” he said. “Being part of the EduSpots network inspires me and gives me a sense of purpose.”
His story demonstrates what EduBytes truly represents, not just a training programme, but a platform for strengthening the digital skills capacity and career growth of local leaders in underserved communities.
“I am calling on government institutions, corporate organisations, and donors to partner with EduSpots to scale the EduBytes programme and reach more teachers in underserved communities,” he appealed. With the right support, educators can be equipped with the digital skills and tools they need to lead effectively in the classroom and beyond.
Through stories like William’s, EduBytes continues to prove that when teachers are empowered digitally, entire communities move forward.
EduBytes
EduBytes is a certified monthly training programme that builds practical digital competencies and supports the career growth of over 400 Catalysts across the EduSpots network. Each training cycle focuses on one skill gap identified by Catalysts themselves, ensuring the programme remains relevant, impactful, and community-driven.
Read more about EduBytes Here