About Us
Global Hiring Initiative for Black Teacher Applicants (GHIBTA)
Affectionately known as Mr. Theo by his students and colleagues, Theophilus is a seasoned educator with over 23 years of experience in teaching and international educat on. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Cape Coast in his home country of Ghana as well as a Master’s in Environmental Science from the local University of Science and Technology. Eager to broaden his knowledge and skills, Theo pursued further studies abroad – earning a Master’s in Public Health from the University of Essex in the UK and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education from the University of Derby, also in the UK.
Theophilus has taught both the Cambridge and IB curriculums across various international schools. In addition to his classroom experience, he has also led workshops on implementing the IB program. For over a decade, Theo has worked as an Assistant Examiner for the International Baccalaureate, gaining extensive expertise in IB assessment practices. Now as Director of GHIBTA, he uses this knowledge to support and advocate for black teachers of African descent.
Theo is deeply passionate about promoting diversity and inclusion within international education. Having experienced the lack of African/Black representation as a teacher himself, increasing black teacher participation is now central to his mission. Under his leadership, GHIBTA strives to provide resources and networking opportunities and give more teachers of colour a platform and voice. Colleagues know Theo is a dedicated mentor who is always looking out for new ways to foster an environment where all educators feel empowered and enabled to share their experiences.
Theophilus has taught both the Cambridge and IB curriculums across various international schools. In addition to his classroom experience, he has also led workshops on implementing the IB program. For over a decade, Theo has worked as an Assistant Examiner for the International Baccalaureate, gaining extensive expertise in IB assessment practices. Now as Director of GHIBTA, he uses this knowledge to support and advocate for black teachers of African descent.
Theo is deeply passionate about promoting diversity and inclusion within international education. Having experienced the lack of African/Black representation as a teacher himself, increasing black teacher participation is now central to his mission. Under his leadership, GHIBTA strives to provide resources and networking opportunities and give more teachers of colour a platform and voice. Colleagues know Theo is a dedicated mentor who is always looking out for new ways to foster an environment where all educators feel empowered and enabled to share their experiences.
Our journey so far
Global Hiring Initiative for Black Teacher Applicants (GHIBTA) started as Diversity in international education, South East Asia (DIIESEA) on the 27th of May, 2022. Between 2022-2023, we have been reaching out to international school leaderships, especially in Indonesia, in an attempt to promote diversity in their hiring practices with specific emphasis on qualified African teachers. We did not envisage how difficult this was going to be until we got to 2023 and noticed the low interest among HRs and schools in our vision and mission.
By this time, we had held over 15 meetings with professional teachers across the African continent with over 400 Participants.
By January 2024, we had evolved into GHIBTA, with the rationale of expanding our reach to all black teachers irrespective of origin.
By this time, we had held over 15 meetings with professional teachers across the African continent with over 400 Participants.
By January 2024, we had evolved into GHIBTA, with the rationale of expanding our reach to all black teachers irrespective of origin.
As black teachers ourselves, we acknowledge systemic racism and white supremacy culture as a serious pandemic in international education that must be dismantled. We commit to anti-racism principles in our work.
GHIBTA affirms that we are committed to identifying, discussing, challenging, and taking action to dismantle racism.
We will partner with others to identify and eliminate racism by changing systems, structures, policies, and practices, so that opportunity is redistributed and shared equitably.
With our effort of discussion of the problem and collaborating with some wonderful Principals, we have managed to get some of our teachers job offers in International schools in Indonesia for the first time after almost three years of advocacy.
These are the heads that understand the importance of diversity in their hiring practices and the immense benefit the school community stands to gain from such diversified teaching staff.
GHIBTA
GHIBTA affirms that we are committed to identifying, discussing, challenging, and taking action to dismantle racism.
We will partner with others to identify and eliminate racism by changing systems, structures, policies, and practices, so that opportunity is redistributed and shared equitably.
Representation
We have a diverse network of highly qualified Black educator candidates from around the world.
Recruitment Expertise
Sourcing and screening international teaching talent is our specialty.
Partnership Support
We offer onboarding assistance, professional development resources and mentorship to aid with retention.
Our Values
Mission
To increase equitable representation of Black educators in international schools worldwide. We promote the hiring of highly qualified Black teaching applicants to enhance diversity, inclusion and cultural understanding within global classrooms.
The key aspects of the mission focus on the goals of promoting Black teacher hiring to increase representation and diversity/inclusion within schools.
The key aspects of the mission focus on the goals of promoting Black teacher hiring to increase representation and diversity/inclusion within schools.
Vision
We envision an international education system where students from all backgrounds have access to teachers reflecting the rich diversity of our shared world.
We envision a future where Black educators feel empowered and supported in their careers abroad, and all students benefit from learning perspectives representative of our varied human experiences.
We envision a future where Black educators feel empowered and supported in their careers abroad, and all students benefit from learning perspectives representative of our varied human experiences.