Aisha Banda

Program Advisor

Civic Engagement & African Studies

Why do you think Professional Development is so important for teachers?
Professional development is important for teachers as it allows them to evaluate and reflect on their instructional practices, and provides opportunity to gain new insights and tools.

Tell us about your background and what brought you to Primary Source.
I have been an educator for 13 years, and have had the privilege of teaching in both independent and public school settings. Over this time, I have done a fair amount of work in designing humanities curriculum, with a strong focus on ancient African and Middle Eastern civilizations. In addition to my work with academic content, I have also taken on responsibilities, both in and out of the classroom, geared toward bolstering student civic engagement. I am excited to take on a program advisor role with Primary Source because of the program’s commitment to supporting educators as they navigate expanding their global understandings, and cultural proficiencies.  I received my B.A. from Connecticut College in Religious Studies, and my M.Ed. from Lesley University in Elementary Education.

What inspires you to do this work?
The youth in our communities inspire me to work in aiding the development of inspiring, relevant, and thought provoking instruction.

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working?
I enjoy exploring the world with my husband and two children.