Kwame Okoye
From cardboard forts to a lifelong spirit of adventure— I now use technology to support every child’s “I want to try!”
- Where did you grow up, and how has that experience shaped your perspective?
- I grew up in Lagos, Nigeria. Seeing people live with strength and resilience taught me to hold on to hope even in difficult times—and to believe in the power of community.
- What languages do you speak, and how has language shaped your relationships with others?
- I speak English and Yoruba. I believe that even when we don’t share a language, compassion and curiosity can still connect us at the heart level.
- What part of your background or identity do you value most?
- I believe deeply in the idea that every child deserves a chance. Education is a power everyone should have—it’s a way to change the future.
- What childhood memory still makes you smile?
- Spending hours with my friends in a cardboard “secret base” we built ourselves. It reminds me that with imagination, we can create a whole world anywhere.
- What three words describe you best?
- Positive, collaborative, creative.
- What did you study, and why did you choose that field?
- I studied Educational Technology because I wanted to use technology to make learning more fun and open the door to a bigger world for children.
- If you could take one class again—or create your own—what would it be?
- I’d love to create a “Future Invention Workshop,” where children use their ideas to solve real-world challenges.
- How do you build trust with children when meeting them for the first time?
- I start by smiling a lot. Then, I take a genuine interest in what each child loves and listen closely to their stories.
- What do you think children can teach adults?
- Children remind us how to face challenges without fear of failure, and how to see each day with fresh eyes and excitement.
- What does a “successful session” mean to you?
- It’s when a child says, “I want to do more!”—and you can see their learning expand from within.
- If you could learn something alongside your students, what would it be, and why?
- I’d love to learn programming with them. Understanding technology will be essential in solving future problems.
- What topic do you wish you could have learned as a child—even outside of school or home?
- I wish someone had told me, “Small failures are big chances to grow.” I would’ve stopped chasing perfection so early.
- Have you ever felt a sense of discomfort or conflict as you grew into adulthood?
- Yes—realizing that opportunities are not equal wherever you go. That’s why I want to help create more chances through education.