York Region District School Board teacher Rahel Tesfaledet has experienced much of the world in her career.
Out of college, she travelled to Japan to teach and went on to teach in Korea, Kuwait and the U.S. Those experiences would lead Tesfaledet to write her own children’s book, Kinza’s World, which earned her commendation from the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario.
“I’ve wanted to write a book since I was a child,” she said. “I’ve travelled to many places. I wanted to bring that to life to kids and basically teach them about diversity and world building and the world around them.”
The union recognized Tesfaledet as part of its 2022-23 slate of award winners, bestowing her with a women writer award. The award recognizes a union member for a published or unpublished work.
Kinza’s World features a young African-Canadian girl who travels the world learning about different cultures and making friends. Self-published in April 2021, the book draws on Tesfaledet’s own experiences and now has copies in libraries throughout York Region District School Board.
It was wonderful to be recognized with the award by the union, Tesfaledet said.
“It’s super surreal,” she said. “It feels like such an achievement because I’m a teacher, and I have a real passion for what I basically do … I was very happy to be recognized.”
The Markham-based teacher has toured some with the book and brought it into her younger classrooms, she said. It is a way to teach children about diversity and learn about others, with the story being focused on Kinza travelling to Asia.
The story “makes you think in a broader way and expands your mind. It teaches a lot about anti-bullying,” she said. “It’s kind of all done in that whimsical, magical way, where it brings all those concepts of diversity, inclusion together.”
The awards recognize elementary teachers from all over Ontario for their efforts in education.
“With so much to celebrate, the ETFO Awards Program recognizes members and others for their distinguished academic achievements, service, and outstanding contributions to education and the federation,” ETFO president Karen Brown said in a news release. “The recipients’ efforts are appreciated and contribute greatly to improving public education in Ontario and beyond.”
After travelling for many years, Tesfaledet returned home to the Toronto area five years ago, eventually landing in Markham with York Region District School Board.
“It’s been a long journey,” she said. “The travelling was good, it was a great thing to do, but I was ready to come back and settle down.”
The teacher has spent time as a supply throughout the region, including in Newmarket, but has kept her teaching focus near her home in Markham.
She has also done some touring with her book, including into the Toronto District School Board.
Tesfaledet plans to continue the story as a series. A second book is in the works, she said, detailing Kinza’s adventures in Africa.
The story will "speak about my own background because that’s where my heritage is,” she said. “That’s something to look forward to.”
You can find the book at kinzasworldmagicaltraveladventures.com.
