Contributors

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Host

Jaime Dugan, EdS, EdM

Jaime is a Reading Specialist and 
lifelong literacy advocate with over 15 years of 
experience teaching K-12 and adult ESL/EFL. Currently 
pursuing a doctorate in Innovative Teaching and 
Learning, Jaime created "Her Words, Her World" 
to shine a light on the extraordinary women around the 
globe who are harnessing the power of literacy to 
rewrite their futures. When not behind the mic, you 
can find her in the classroom teaching IB Psychology by day and adult ESOL by night!

Guests

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Guest

Dr. Sam Duncan

Dr. Sam Duncan is Professor of Adult Literacy at the UCL Institute of Education in London. Her research focuses on adult reading practices, reading circles, libraries, and the social and affective dimensions of literacy development. She led the Arts and Humanities Research Council-funded Reading Aloud in Britain Today (RABiT) project (2016–2018) and co-developed a national phonics toolkit for post-16 adult literacy teaching. Her work is grounded in the lived experiences of adult learners and a commitment to making adult literacy teaching a recognized, sustainable profession.

https://profiles.ucl.ac.uk/48019-sam-duncan
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Guest

Opeyemi Akeredolu

Opeyemi “Yemi” Akeredolu is a current Teach For Nigeria Fellow, teaching primary school learners in an underserved public school community. Before the fellowship, she taught in private schools; she joined Teach For Nigeria to understand and address the gaps in literacy and opportunity facing children in the public education system, with a particular focus on foundational literacy and vocabulary instruction for learners whose first language is not English.

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Guest

Rashidat Uthman

Rashidat Uthman is a former Teach For Nigeria Fellow and the founder of Evergrow Learning Hub, a community learning center providing literacy, numeracy, and financial education to out-of-school children and non-literate adults — particularly mothers. Evergrow was ranked first out of 133 projects in Teach For Nigeria's 2025 Be the Change competition. Rashidat holds a master's degree in Zoology and a Diploma in Education, and has taught across conventional, international, and online settings.

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Guest

Sumnima Sampang

Sumnima Sampang is the Associate Manager – Women’s Center and Children’s Home -- for Kopila Valley in Surkhet, Nepal. Originally from the eastern plains of Nepal, Sumnima has moved across the country—especially to the western region—for her education, work, and various commitments. She holds a Master’s degree in Counseling from Tribhuvan University and brings a deep passion for the performing arts. This creative inclination shapes her approach, making her a compassionate, effective, rational, and results-driven leader.

Sumnima has over five years of experience working with non-profit organizations outside of Kathmandu. She has served in diverse roles, including Child Protection Officer, Vocational Training Supervisor, Counselor, and Dance Teacher. Her wide-ranging responsibilities have given her valuable insights into community-level dynamics across Nepal. 



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