CELEBRATING GLOBAL SCHOOLS JULY MENTORS OF THE MONTH
- SDSN Youth
- Jul 17
- 3 min read
Each month, the Global Schools Program shines a spotlight on educators who go above and beyond to inspire the next generation of changemakers.Â
For the month of July, we are proud to celebrate 8 mentors whose dedication have made a lasting impact in their schools and communities.

Silue Fereta began his mentorship role alongside his co-mentor, Abdoulaye Coulibaly from Mali. He connected with educators from various African countries including Côte d'Ivoire, Cameroon, Ghana, and Mali.Â
Silue provided valuable support, sharing strategies and techniques to help his mentees effectively teach and engage students with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Under his guidance, many advocates implemented creative sustainability initiatives within and beyond the classroom. expressed great joy in witnessing the passion of the advocates, who not only spread awareness of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in their schools but also inspired students to take the lead in sustainability actions.

Abdoulaye Abou Coulibaly has served as a mentor with distinction, emerging as a key advocate for educational transformation across West Africa. Through his mentorship, he has empowered educators with the tools, values, and strategies to incorporate sustainability in both classroom lessons and broader school initiatives.Â
Abdoulaye guided his mentees in localizing the SDGs, integrating global citizenship into their teaching, and launching impactful activities such as tree planting, student-led Eco-Clubs, and awareness campaigns. His regular mentoring sessions and collaborative planning have left a lasting impression, equipping mentees to become confident global changemakers. His mentorship is not just a role, it’s a mission to inspire a generation of leaders driving sustainable change.

Parineeta Sharma has shown consistent dedication to empowering her mentees through collaboration, innovative resources, and transformative ideas. Her approach reflects her passion for sustainable education and her commitment to helping advocates implement the SDGs in meaningful ways.

As both a Global Schools Advocate and mentor, Lilyan Al Mohtar has she played a key role in supporting new advocates throughout the program She provided guidance and mentorship to new advocates by sharing best practices, offering feedback, and supporting the implementation of the SDGs within school and community settings.Â
Lilyan also organized awareness activities in her own school and promoted global citizenship. Her mentorship created a nurturing environment where advocates felt empowered and equipped to lead positive change.

Ma. Jonaper Palmares, a long-standing Global Schools Mentor since Cohort 4, has continually displayed exceptional leadership. Twice honored as Mentor of the Month, she supports her mentees with regular resources, encourages participation in ESD competitions, and facilitates transformative learning.Â
She actively highlights her mentees' efforts on social media and organizes virtual events across North Africa. Her mentorship even extends to advocates in Afghanistan, where she supports online sustainability initiatives. Her work continues to show inspiration among educators and students alike, reinforcing the far-reaching power of mentorship.

Shereen Mahfouz has served as a mentor for two cohorts, offering guidance to educators on integrating sustainable practices into their teaching. Within her school, she successfully implemented ESD initiatives that extended into the wider community. She also presented at the 2025 NileTESOL Conference, where she shared practical strategies for embedding the SDGs into lesson plans. Her work empowers educators to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to tackle global challenges.

Ambassador Abubeker Seman Seid has fostered a collaborative and supportive environment for his mentees. He provides tailored guidance that helps them explore their interests in sustainable development and integrate ESD into classroom activities.Â
Through regular mentoring sessions, he shares tools, strategies, and resources aligned with the SDGs, enabling mentees to design impactful projects. By encouraging open dialogue, he builds mentee confidence and promotes continuous learning. His commitment inspires mentees to take ownership of their growth and become proactive sustainability leaders within their communities.

Samson Oyebade began his journey as a Global Schools Advocate in 2022, focusing on Social Emotional Learning (SEL). In 2023, he took on the role of mentor, supporting mentees across Kazakhstan, Turkey, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Sudan, Malawi, and Ethiopia. He offers academic support and helps solve 21st-century educational challenges.Â
In addition to mentorship, Samson connects teachers with international teaching opportunities and resources to support both their personal and professional growth. His work exemplifies global collaboration and a forward-looking approach to sustainable educationÂ