| 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 donated 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.
Leisa’s present term of service began in June 2004 and
ends in May 2008.
Birthdays:
Leisa - March 8
Burkley-Brooks ’Mabotle - February 8, 1990
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