Professional Experience:
Rae Sekamalira is a seasoned education specialist with nearly a decade of experience in teaching, curriculum development, teacher training, and program management, particularly within refugee and immigrant communities. With a PhD in education focusing on resilience among refugee aid workers in Uganda, Rae has dedicated their career to improving educational outcomes for marginalized populations.
Rae’s career began as a volunteer ESL teacher at a UNICEF school in a Jordanian refugee settlement, where they developed a passion for refugee education. In Uganda, Rae taught ESL to both children and adults, achieving significant improvements in literacy and writing skills. Their holistic approach to teaching fosters mutual respect and self-understanding, creating an effective and supportive learning environment.
In addition to teaching, Rae has excelled in program management, particularly during their tenure at Tutapona. There, Rae played a key role in programming, monitoring and evaluation, and staff development, contributing to the organization's success in delivering impactful educational programs. Their ability to manage complex projects and ensure program effectiveness has been instrumental in advancing educational initiatives in challenging contexts.
Rae is also an accomplished curriculum developer, designing specialized materials for refugees and English language learners, including textbooks and online resources.
Currently, Rae is pursuing opportunities in research leadership and consulting, aiming to leverage their extensive experience to influence educational practices and policies in crisis contexts.
Throughout their career, Rae has consistently demonstrated a strong dedication to advancing education for refugees and immigrants, driving more effective and inclusive programs.