Read letters from Leisa Wagstaff
December 2011
August 28, 2011
June 2011
October 2010
December 1, 2009
August 31, 2009
June 2006
Leisa Wagstaff
PTTC/PSS Mbengwi
P.O. Box 36, Momo Division
Mbengwi, Cameroon
NWP
Email: Leisa Wagstaff
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Leisa has been under apppointment as a PC(USA) mission co-worker since 1984. Prior to her appointment to Cameroon in 2004, she served in various capacities in Congo, Lesotho, and Zimbabwe. She now serves the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon (PCC) as a teacher and trainer of teachers in the Presbyterian Teacher Training College (PTTC).
The PTTC, which will celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2006, is part of the PCC’s commitment to education. Its graduates are qualified and dedicated teachers, many of whom go on to teach in the 300 PCC-related primary schools. The PTTC’s graduates are highly recruited by other church-related, lay, private, and government primary schools.
To support the PTTC financially as and to meet the demand for an additional secondary school in the area, the PCC recently opened a secondary school on the teacher training college campus.
Leisa works directly with the twin institutions, teaching both content subjects (English literature, drawing and writing, and English) as well as professional courses such as pedagogic supervision, child psychology, and didactical materials.
Leisa is developing a computer sciences program for the two schools using gived older computers. In order for the program to be comprehensive and pedagogically sound, the administrators and teaching staff will also be trained in the use of computers and their importance to the teaching-learning process.
“[The computer sciences program] is a significant step for two reasons,” writes Leisa. “First, it starts to close the Camaroon’s ever-widening electronic gap. Second, PTTC is Camaroon’s first teacher training college to start such a program, and it’s good for us to lead the way.”
“I wear many hats—perhaps, too many,” writes Leisa, “but I want to use all of the gifts of experience and talent God has given me. That’s why I take my additional functions as librarian, class advisor, tutor and ‘nurse’ seriously. It’s an opportunity to reach the whole student plus give something back. And, in doing so, I am blessed personally and professionally.”
Prior to her present position with the PCC, Leisa served in Harare, Zimbabwe, as a training and projects officer for the Association of Christian Lay Centers in Africa, an organization committed to leadership training, laity formation, and ecumenical learning in 22 African countries.
Since committing her life to mission in 1984, Leisa has served as principal and teacher in the PC(USA)’s Kananga School for Missionary Children in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC); a religious education consultant and lecturer for the Lesotho Evangelical Church School Secretariat and program director and assistant to the director at the Morija Ecumenical Conference and Training Center in Lesotho; and an advisor and projects director for the Christian Education Department of the Communauté Presbyterienne au Congo (DRC).
Prior to mission service, Leisa worked with several entities including a private educational center, a women’s empowerment group, a local church and a community center. She has also served as a youth worker for the Ministry of Youth and Sports in Sudan and as an intern with the U.S. Army Chaplaincy in Europe.
Leisa holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia, a Master of Divinity degree in Christian education, pastoral care, and counseling from the Interdenominational Theological Center (Atlanta), and a master’s degree in education from the Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, Virginia. During her last home assignment, Leisa completed a certificate program in nonprofit management at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina.
A lifelong and active member of the church helping with youth programs, mission interpretation and Christian education, Leisa currently worships with the PTTC student congregation as well as the PCC Mbengwi Station congregation.
Her daughter, Burkley-Brooks ‘Mabotle Wagstaff, is with her in Cameroon and is active in providing music camps for children and singing in the choir during school holidays.
Birthdays:
Leisa - March 8
Burkley-Brooks ’Mabotle - February 8