Dear Teach With Africa Supporters,
As we embrace the heart of fall and look toward the holiday season, we are filled with gratitude for the community that makes our mission possible. Thanks to your support, 2025 marked our 18th year of global educator exchanges—creating opportunities that transform classrooms, strengthen leadership, and connect communities across continents.
This spring, we welcomed 11 South African educators to the Bay Area. Over the summer, five educators traveled to South Africa for a powerful cultural exchange. Below are highlights from both programs that you helped make possible. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Fondly,
Margie and Larry Schlenoff
Founders, Teach With Africa
Spring 2025 Educator Exchange Program
In March, 11 South African educators and administrators spent three transformative weeks in the Bay Area, sharing ideas and strengthening educational opportunities across continents.
Seven schools—including independent and public charter schools—hosted educators from kindergarten through 12th grade, together reaching an estimated 175+ students. We thank Cathedral School for Boys, Gateway Middle School, Katherine Delmar Burkes School, The Bay School of San Francisco, The Hamlin School, and Town School for Boys for their partnership. Last but not least, we were thrilled to welcome Marin County Day School as our newest partner, which awarded educators $250 classroom grants for supplies!
A heartfelt thank-you to the 11 partner families across Marin, Oakland, and San Francisco who opened their homes to our guest educators, creating a truly immersive experience of cultural exchange and hospitality.
Together, our partners, hosts, and donors are helping to build a brighter, more connected future for teachers and students in both South Africa and the U.S.
July 2025 Summit Highlights
With special thanks to Solange Kabeya, Regional School Coordinator-Global Teachers Institute, for hosting our educators and providing these highlights.
This year’s Summit truly lived up to its theme—Building Bridges—as it brought together Fellows and Future Leaders in shared learning and collaboration.
On day one, Fellows created handmade play dolls with students—a symbolic activity representing unity and teamwork. They then partnered with Future Leaders in Spark and Ignite sessions to prepare for the Flame Event at LEAP 4 Diepsloot, celebrating the shared goal of supporting education for all students in South Africa.
On Mandela Day (July 18), the group took part in a meaningful community outreach activity with Nedbank, assisting with food packaging for those in need.
The Fellows also enjoyed cultural immersion, visiting Alexandra Township, Soweto, the Hector Pieterson Museum, and Mandela House. They also visited schools in Tembisa, including Nokuphila Primary School, Ebony Park, and the LEAP Science and Maths School, where they participated in Life Orientation circles and cultural exchanges.
Fellows were also placed in different schools for a day of classroom engagement — Linda and Carly at Ikage Primary School with Oratile Sibeko and Otsile Moeng; Josh and Curt at LEAP Science and Maths School with Wiston Mandlenkosi; and Rachel at Holy Family College with Sindisiwe Nkosi.
The week culminated in the inspiring Flame Event on July 25 at LEAP 4 Diepsloot. The Fellows and Future Leaders presented to 79 participants, including teachers, parents, and community members who celebrated learning, leadership, and connection.
Read the 2025 Cohort Reflections >
Summit Photos >
Thank you for being part of the Teach With Africa community. Your continued support makes these life-changing programs possible.
