Stella Gyimaah Larbi

Stella Gyimaah Larbi’s journey to becoming a transformative educator is deeply rooted in her early experiences in Ghana, where she was inspired by her father, a teacher, and the struggles of girls in her community who lacked the motivation to continue their education. Born in Bisease and later moving to the slums of Achimota, Stella saw firsthand the challenges faced by children living in poverty. These experiences ignited her passion to become an educator who could inspire and uplift others through the power of education. 

Starting her teaching career in 2011 at a Junior High School, Stella worked to overcome the stigma that teaching was a fallback career for those who failed to qualify for university. To combat this, she pursued a Master’s Degree and a Master of Philosophy to both enhance her qualifications and show her students that teaching is a noble and respected profession. Stella worked in a rural urban community where resources were scarce. Classrooms, untouched for over a decade, were in dire need of repair, and students lacked basic supplies. Stella's response was to take action, painting the classrooms, purchasing stationery, and organising remedial tuition programmes to improve attendance and learning outcomes. 

One of Stella's most significant challenges was the lack of proper facilities, including an inadequate toilet system and classrooms full to capacity. This led her to partner with the Rotary Club to raise funds for a new toilet facility and refurbishing the school library. Through her dedication, the school saw a dramatic improvement in academic performance, with students going from having no grade ones in English to recording 12 in a year which set the tone to scoring 100 percent in all examinations written. 

Stella's innovative approach to teaching has helped to bridge the gap for students struggling with literacy. By integrating dramatisation, group research presentations, and multimedia resources, she made learning more engaging and effective. Her "movie station," using projectors to relate texts to images, enhanced public speaking skills and boosted student confidence. Her “Read and Write (Raw) Project” significantly increased her students' literacy rates, with some even publishing their own stories. 

Beyond the classroom, Stella’s impact extends to the broader community. She founded a non-profit organisation that focuses on teacher well-being and professional development. Through her organisation, she has trained over 80,000 teachers worldwide, and applauded over 2000 teachers with citations through her applaud teacher award, helping improve teaching standards in rural areas. Her advocacy for inclusive education has led to contributions such as ensuring teenage mothers return to school and providing solar lamps to students in areas without electricity. 

Stella’s global perspective is evident in efforts to cultivate global citizenship among her students, partnering with educators across the world to promote cultural diversity, human rights, and sustainability. Through projects such as the “Global Culture Day” and student exchanges, she has prepared her students for a globalised world. 

Her contributions to the teaching profession have been recognised both locally and internationally. As a mentor, trainer, and advocate, Stella has worked tirelessly to raise the status of teaching in Ghana and beyond. Her work with organisations like Rotary International, the Global Schools Program, and her regular teaching appearances on national television have helped to elevate the role of educators in shaping society. 

In all, Stella Gyimaah Larbi’s commitment to education, community, and global citizenship makes her a deserving candidate for the Global Teacher Prize. Her relentless dedication to improving her students’ lives, both inside and outside the classroom, reflects the transformative power of education.