Facilitators

• Dr. Nneka Johnson
  Educational Consultant
  

  Dr. Nneka Johnson is an educational consultant who is dedicated to supporting schools in creating human-centred solutions that empower students, educators, staff, and school leaders.  She believes in the use of innovative methodologies to make a positive impact within diverse school communities.

  In 2023, Nneka became the first Fellow at the Council of International Schools (CIS). Before joining CIS, she spent five years at the International School of Dakar (ISD), where she held the position of Director of Innovation and Strategic Development. In her senior leadership role at ISD, she was responsible for several school strategic initiatives.  She is a member of the AISA Board and sits on the Membership Committee.  She has been a member of the AISA Professional Learning Design Team since 2019.  Nneka is also an Edsafe Women in AI Fellow.

  Nneka’s educational background includes a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Queens College in New York City, a Master’s degree in Instructional Technology from Georgia State University, and a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction from Mercer University in Atlanta.

• Tiwana Merritt
  American International School of Johannesburg (AISJ)
  PreK-12 educator
  

  After spending many years teaching in Australia and most recently in southern China, Tiwana now calls Johannesburg home. She graduated from Southern Oregon University with a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science then completed a Graduate Diploma of Education at Deakin University in Melbourne, Australia, and has a Masters in Educational Leadership through Monash University. She has specialized in outdoor and experiential education throughout most of her teaching career. Her passion lies in student leadership, sustainability and motivating her community to use their power and privilege to uplift others and create more equitable spaces for those who have traditionally been marginalized and left out of our ‘mainstream stories’.

  As a member of the AISJ Teaching and Learning coaching team and the Service Learning Coordinator, Tiwana is responsible for the development and implementation of AISJ’s service learning standards.  She is an active member of AIELOC and co-hosts Self Care Sunday sessions monthly with a group of international educators. Tiwana also serves on the Association of International Schools of Africa (AISA) DEIJ Design team and co-facilitates AISA’s Women in Leadership Affinity group. She can be found networking with other educators globally as well as spearheading virtual groups that focus on social justice and service.