STEM Teachers Rewards and Empowerment Foundation — dignifying the teaching profession since 2020.
The STEM Teachers Reward and Empowerment Foundation (STREF) was founded in 2020 in Kano State, Nigeria by Love Odion (Mrs.) — a graduate of Social Studies Education, University of Benin, Edo State. What started as a desire to organise a yearly awards ceremony for teachers evolved into an NGO specially designed to reach, motivate and equip teachers with STEM and capacity-building opportunities.
We identify and celebrate outstanding teachers, deliver impactful projects beyond the classroom, and secure full and partial STEM certification scholarships for teachers across Nigeria and beyond.
We are open to collaborating with governmental, non-governmental, private and public organisations, groups and individuals on projects and initiatives geared towards reaching and impacting teachers.
STEM / STEAM is our lens — an applied, interdisciplinary approach to Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics. We use our platform to promote STEAM education and position Nigerian teachers to take advantage of its benefits.
Ten clear commitments that guide every programme, award and training we deliver.
STEM stands for STEAM Education — a new approach to teaching Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics in an applied and interdisciplinary way. STREF uses its platform to promote STEAM among Nigerian teachers, enlightening them thoroughly and positioning them to take advantage of its many benefits.
Partner with usWe held the 1st edition of the STEM Teachers Award and Gala on the 15th December 2020 — when we realised that at the end of every year several awards were organised for different sectors but none for teachers. That felt like an anomaly given the huge role teachers play.
We secured the permission of the State Ministry of Education and organised the very first Teachers Award in Kano that year. At least 70 schools participated, 10 most outstanding teachers were awarded, with over 500 people in attendance. We used the occasion to recognise, honour and award outstanding teachers and also as an avenue to reach out with relief items — teachers were hardest hit by the pandemic. It was a remarkable success; schools, stakeholders and teachers appreciated the initiative.
The STAG is a yearly event with the aim to:
Teachers Ignite Conference & Award — a full day of plenaries, keynotes, panels and an evening gala of recognition, entertainment and networking.
Explore conference
