Ada Ozkan, a junior at Arnold O. Beckman High School, brings both passion and experience to her role as a Zoom teacher with SmartKids Ghana. For over a year and a half, Ada has been volunteering as a teaching assistant at the Orange County Turkish School, where she supports students in reading comprehension, writing, and speaking skills in Turkish. She also assists lead teachers with lesson planning, classroom activities, and student engagement, which has strengthened her communication and leadership skills while giving her a deeper appreciation for education in a bilingual setting.

In addition to her in person teaching experience,  Ada has also presented and taught in online settings. Through the Orange County Turkish School’s virtual classes, she helped teach basic Turkish to adults, gaining firsthand experience in using Zoom to create interactive and engaging lessons. This background has prepared her well to connect with and inspire SmartKids Ghana scholars across the globe.

Ada chose to become a SmartKids Ghana Zoom teacher because she believes that every child deserves access to quality education, no matter where they live. She enjoys connecting with students, supporting their growth, and helping them gain confidence in their learning. For Ada, this role is not only about teaching but also about cultural exchange, an opportunity to learn from the scholars in Ghana while contributing her own skills and knowledge.

As part of her role, Ada is also committed to raising $250 to support vital resources such as internet access, transportation, and school materials for the scholars. These efforts ensure that her lessons, and those of other SmartKids Ghana teachers, can reach students consistently and make a lasting impact.

Through her dedication and heart for service, Ada is excited to inspire curiosity, encourage learning, and contribute to shaping brighter futures for the children of Ghana.