Professional Profile

Program Mangement  

I believe my background in classroom teachjng provided me with the transferable skills necessary to branch into the various aspects of work that my career has evolved into. For some of my work over the years, I have had to plan programs attracting hundreds and sometimes thousands of guests, for example:

- Planning and working 2018 Global Education & Skills Forum, Dubai, UAE.

- Designing and implementing three main programs for SOS Hermann Gmeiner International College: Quarterly Networking, Learning Workshops and Annual Induction Ceremony for the graduating class.


- Timeline and resource management for the House of Stole Student Ambassador Program and student Internship program with students from   Chicago, London, New York and Pennsylvania.

- Executing exhibitions and donor engagement programs and fundraising events at VSA Massachusetts’ Open Door Gallery, bringing in up to $40,000 in one night surpassing the target by 100%.

- Vendor and speaker management for 2016 Harvard Africa Business Conference & African Devekopment Conference brining over 1,000 participants from worlwide locations to Cambridge, Massachusetts.





Leadership

I became a leader while I was still in High School. leading a few student clubs and activities such as Hostel Dance groups and community service groups. Once I got to college it was no surprise that I served on the leadership board of two student groups, Jhumka a south east Asian fusion dance team and MHCASA, the African and Caribbean Student Union. I also quickly got selected as a leader in training during my freshman year, while working in Dinning Services. Thus, I went on to serve three years as a Dinning Hall manager, in charge of all student workers including: scheduling, timecards and payroll processing and recruitment, hiring and training. I also worked at Girls Inc as a group leader for at risk inner city youth.

I demonstrated my leadership qualities quickly during my first year at Meysen Academy Japan, and was the first teacher to be promoted to Lead Teacher after only one year of work. Once I moved back to Ghana, I became the Director of the Alumni Office and the Communications Director at SOS-HGIC, the first IB world school in Ghana. A few years after that, I look on a role as Managing Partner for a boutique textile company, House of Stole, where I led various education geared projects. 

I am currently serving as the Head of School at Safari International School, a Cambridge accredited and IB candidate school in Ghana. 

Other leadership positions I have held include:

- Treasure, Africans In Miyagi, a local community group in Miyagi, Japan

- Communications Manager, Africans In Boston, a community based advocacy group serving Greater Boston

- President, Harvard Graduate School for Education, African Education Initiative

- Career Services Office Student Advisory Board

- Campus-wide Harvard University Sexual Assault Convening, through which student leaders published a proposed policy for the university to adopt to handle various Title IX violations for example, sexual sssault







Professional Profile


School Leadership

I am a passionate and dedicated education leader with extensive experience in nurturing dynamic and inclusive learning environments. As Head of School at Safari International School, a Cambridge-certified preschool and primary institution and an IB PYP candidate school, I bring a unique blend of strategic vision, hands-on expertise, and a deep commitment to student success.

With a proven track record of fostering holistic education, I specialize in guiding schools toward excellence by integrating innovative teaching practices, championing inclusion, and building strong partnerships with families and educators. My leadership empowers students to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally while equipping them with the skills needed for the 21st century.


Classroom Teaching


I call myself an educator because essentially, that is who I am. That was the beginning of my professional life, and that has been the foundation of all the work I do. I believe education is the cornerstone of all human development and that it provides opportunities for all people to gain economic success. I became a teacher because I believe everybody has the capacity to learn and should have a chance to gain knowledge and improve their lives. Here are some of the most significant milestones I have had in teaching and learning practices:

- 7+ years of classroom teaching across 3 countries and continents: Japan, USA & Ghana.        

- Elementary School Special Education and ABA Behavior Therapist for children with Autism.

- Curriculum design and teacher training for two grade teams as the Lead Teacher.

- Designing Teacher Evaluation Programs to be implemented by Senior Management Team of a High school

- Creating bespoke Reading Seminar curriculum to address learning deficiencies identified in IB high school

-Partnered with Artist Teachers in VSA Massachusetts Educational Programming for improving classroom experience for students of all abilities through art based integrations.





Personal Projects

As part of my commitment to personal growth and continued learning, I have embarked on these various learning and community engagement projects which I believe have contributed to my presnt day skills, and expertise:

- Kasemo Foundation, a non-profit working with educating street children in Accra. (2005)

- Cross-cultural literacy project with students from Amherst, MA and Roman Ridge School, Ghana. (2008)

- Africa re-build Japan, a multi-year project for the local communities in Sendai, affected by the 2011 earthquake & tsunami.  (2011-2013)

- Senegal WorldBank research project conducted with Harvard Graduate School of Education. (2016)

- SOS-HGIC Book Club founded and managed a school wide reading initiative. (2018)

- Writing childrens books and exploring self-publishing (2023)




Entrepreneurship The Pepper  

I fell into entrepreneurship by exploring the things I enjoy. I love to cook and I love to teach. I founded my company in 2020, during the global pandemic, once I found myself with the bandwidth to better explore my culinary skills. Through The Pepper, I have created five sauces, three condiments, a dry spice rub and a spiced sugar. With The Pepper, I have been on Television cooking shows and have had clients in various counties in Africa, Asia, North America and Europe. 

An educator at heart, it was impossible to not develop a learning aspect of my business. Through The Pepper, I have helped people learn about flavors, nutrition and designed meal plans for clients who are interested in making healthier food choices. 

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House of Stole  

When I joined the team at House of Stole, it was still in the startup phase. As a growing family business, I identified key aspects of growth that I could influence. Being a small and young company, I seized the opportunity to launch various programs including the Ambassador program, and found an arm of the business Kenteshop, which takes the company further. I designed and created two flagship fashion brands under the company, Enum Beads and Scope’s and discovered my love for all things beautiful. 

Through my work at House of Stole, I have won a bid to be an offical MHEC vendor for the North eastern region of the United States, and designed educational programs, workshops and events for teaching various aspects of African art, history and fashion. 

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Intullect 

The educational consulting that I led with Intullect, centered around creating besopke learning experiences for clients. 
Intullect is an education services provider that guides students to fuse their instinctive understanding with critical reasoning through a myriad of programs. We believe real learning begins where intuition and intellect intersect. Thus we guide learners to this realization, to help unleash their creativity and promote self-efficacy.  

Here, I led projects such as teacher training, curriculum design, school rebranding as well as college counseling. Among the projects I ran was creating a summer program for a school of performing arts. 

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Small Hype

I am a partner for a small family-run design firm, which specializes in taking small ideas to the next level. As partner, I have worked on iconic projects such as “We Have Decided” an environmental initiative to save a Ramsar site, the Sakumono lagoon, from pollution. Additionally, I have also been proud to be a part of “Small Poles” a local football tournament, run to build local football talent in Tema and its environs in the Greater-Accra Region. 

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Educational Philosophy  Holistic Development  

I value the holistic development of students, which includes fostering their social-emotional growth, character development, and critical thinking skills. I believe in nurturing well-rounded individuals who are well prepared for the world.




Inclusivity and Equity  

A I am committed to creating an inclusive, equitable school community where all students have the opportunity to succeed. This means actively addressing and eliminating disparities in educational outcomes and providing necessary support to all.




Innovation and Adaptability

Education is evolving, and I embrace innovation and adaptability. I encourage experimentation with new teaching methods, technology, and strategies to meet the evolving needs of our students in a rapidly changing world.
Student Centered Learning

I believe students are at the center of our educational efforts. It is our duty to recognize and respect the diverse backgrounds, abilities, and interests of each student, ensuring that they have equitable access to high-quality education.




Accountability And High Expectations

 Holding ourselves and our students to high standards is essential for success. I believe in setting clear expectations, providing the necessary support, and holding all members of the school community accountable for their roles in achieving our shared goals. 




Continuous Improvement

 Education is a dynamic field, and I encourage a culture of reflection, data-driven decision-making, and professional development for both myself and the educators I work with. This approach allows us to adapt to changing needs and trends in education.



Collaborative Leadership 

Effective leadership is built on collaboration and teamwork. I emphasize a leadership style that values input from all stakeholders, including teachers, staff, students, and parents. Together, we can create a positive school culture.




Community Engagement 

Schools are an integral part of the broader community. I believe in fostering strong partnerships with parents, community organizations, and local businesses to enhance the educational experience and resources available to students.




Respect and Empathy


Respect and empathy are fundamental values in a school community. I expect all members to treat one another with kindness and understanding, fostering a positive and safe learning environment.



TEACHER/CONSULTANT/ENTREPRENEUR

FLOSSY MATEKWOR AZU
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“EDUCARE ET INSPIRARE“
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