Working behind the scenes special education teacher, Charles Appiah-Ofori, a native to Bruman-Asikuma, Ghana, comes to Fauquier with a rich cultural background, a differing perspective, and a dedication to education.

           Ghana, a small country in West Africa nestled between Cote d’Ivoire and Togo, is a country in the African rainforest, full of life and love for the community. In a country Appiah-Ofori described as very hot and somewhat underdeveloped, the people still have much to celebrate.

            “My favorite customs are the traditional festivals, everyone comes from the towns and from afar,” Appiah-Ofori said. “We wear our traditional clothing and we dance and play games. Later, we crown the festival with a big gathering where we invite guest speakers from the government to speak and recognize and reward those who have achieved great things in the community.”

            After growing up farming in the jungles of Ghana, Appiah-Ofori pursued studies. He now lives close by in Orange County with his wife and three children. But before he reached Orange, he studied in Denmark and also received his MBE in Special Education at Old Dominion University.

            “It is interesting to see the people and social difference in different parts of the world,” Appiah Ofori said. “I was lucky to be able to travel from Ghana in 2002.”

            As a prominent person in his culture and region, Appiah-Ofori was chosen for a traveling program, leading him to Denmark and then America.

            “The opportunity to travel was open to all teachers from my region in Ghana; I applied and was chosen,” Appiah-Ofori Said. “Eight of us were picked from among 400 teachers. We were given a hostel in Denmark and all our fees, food, and stay were paid for.
            After living and studying in Denmark, through the same program he was offered an opportunity to come to America, and he took it.  From Denmark he moved on to studying in America , teaching in Orange County, and finally teaching at Fauquier High School.

            “The program sought out colorful people in Ghana to travel the world, like teachers, doctors, nurses… and I was picked. I had to get a visa at the U.S. embassy. It was a very intense process, they screen every record: health, criminal, career. But when they verified my credentials as a teacher, I came here and my first job was teaching at Orange County High School.”

            Because of his unique history, Appiah-Ofori sees the world from a different perspective. Not only has he lived in many different countries, but Appiah-Ofori has watched the revolution of his home country over his lifetime. Today, is a representative democracy following a period of political turmoil.

            “Until 20 years ago there were very rough military takeovers, coup d’états, but now we have a president, vice president, and government turnover by elections,” Appiah-Ofori said. “It’s much better now.”

           Appiah-Ofori notes contrasts in the politics of the classroom as well. In America, students have a larger influence on their own education, and the interweaving efforts of parents, teachers and students plays a role in learning.

            “Here, there is democracy in the classroom,” Appiah-Ofori said. “The student has a say in the decision-making process. In Ghana the teacher is the boss but is of course always acting for the good of the child. Here there is so much cooperation from parents and teachers and students, a mutual understanding of benefit.”

            According to Appiah-Orofi, other benefits of teaching in America include technology and accessibility. Laptops and projectors are common aspects of an American classroom; however parts of Ghana lack basic transportation needs, such as quality roads.

            “In terms of education, in Ghana, we have no computers in the school.” Appiah-Ofori said. “Children have to learn without computers, without internet. In the towns and cities there are computers, but at the village level? No. Our roads network is not as good as here either. We are in the jungle and accessibility is not very good.”

            Appiah-Ofori holds strong ties to the people, land, and country of Ghana. Although he enjoys living and teaching in the U.S., he misses home.

            “Home is where you meet old friends and new friends, family members,” Appiah-Ofori said. “You mourn the dead together and encourage the young people, too.”

            Appiah-Ofori has an ardent love for the work he does here, which may stem from his youth in Ghana. Although he holds an MBE in business administration, Appiah-Ofori chooses to work in the field of special education.

            “I’ve wanted to teach ever since I was young,” Appiah-Ofori said. “I am coming from a place where people can’t afford three meals a day; I know what it is like to be in need. This is why I am happy to be here helping these challenged students. I could work well in any business area, but special education is my passion; I love what I am doing.”