Kelsey Keech is an enthusiastic educator, curriculum designer, and leader, passionate about planning and delivering engaging and impactful learning experiences for students and teammates. Her work in education spans the private, public, and nonprofit sector in the fields of learning design, training, data analysis, and classroom instruction.

Prior to joining Nova Pioneer, Kelsey served as a Program Associate at an agricultural NGO in Tanzania, heading its Training Department in developing staff and customer learning programmes for its field operations. Before moving to the Continent, she served as a Head Preschool Teacher at Chicago Commons’ Guadalupano Family Centre in Chicago, Illinois – a Reggio Emilia-inspired early childhood learning centre.

Kelsey holds a Master’s Degree in International Affairs from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs, as well as a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. She is also a fully registered early childhood teacher, receiving her certification coursework and training through Dominican University and Teach For America.

Rahel Wondwossen was born and raised in Ethiopia and moved to Boston, MA at the age of ten. She received a B.A. in Political Science and English from Bates College, an M.S. in Teaching Adolescent English from Pace University and an M.A in Organisational Leadership from Teachers College at Columbia University. Most of her professional career has focused on supporting start up school organisations, first as a founding teacher in a high school in the Bronx through Teach for America. She later moved to New Orleans to found a charter high school as the principal. After six years, Rahel transitioned to consulting through New Schools for New Orleans as an Education Fellow, focusing on supporting executive team dynamics, organisational culture and school leader coaching across a portfolio of schools.

In 2018, Rahel moved to South Africa to join the Nova Pioneer school group in its early stages as Chief Academic Officer. She currently serves as the Chief of Schools supporting academic and non-academic teams across the organisation, and is passionate about teaching and learning and organisational systems. Outside of work, Rahel is an avid hobbyist with too many to list here, but is currently most enjoying learning Italian and pottery.