08/07/2026
In July, a delegation from The NEA Foundation traveled to South Africa to meet with the National Education Collaboration Trust(NECT) and explore ways to collaborate to strengthen public education.
Special thanks to NECT CEO Dr. Godwin Khosa and many others from the South African education sector.
Together, we discussed how our work aligns: supporting educators, strengthening public education systems, and advancing equity for learners. While our contexts differ, the challenges and opportunities are remarkably similar, from supporting educators to addressing resource gaps to ensuring every child has access to quality learning.
The delegation included: Sara A. Sneed, president and CEO, The NEA Foundation; Dr. Derron O. Wallace, vice chair, The NEA Foundation Board of Directors, and associate professor of education policy and Africana studies, Brown University;; Dr. Micia Mosley, founder and director, Black Teacher Project; Karen Woods-Done, director of student engagement, Coahoma Community College; Robert L. Jackson, CEO, Quitman County Development Organization, and former member of the Mississippi State Senate; Dr. Toya Harrell-Matthews, superintendent, Clarksdale Municipal Schools
All in attendance were enthusiastic about the generative conversations that took place. This initial engagement is just the beginning, and we look forward to continued exploration and learning on with our colleagues at NECT.
