Each year, our club proudly recognizes the educators who shape, inspire, and strengthen our community. For so many years, Kent Mason has led our Teacher of the Year project with dedication and heart, and thanks to his leadership, this tradition continues to thrive.

This year again, we are delighted to honor outstanding teachers whose commitment to their students reflects the very best of our community’s values. Their work makes a lasting difference, and we are grateful for the opportunity to celebrate them.

Karen Willetts grew up in Frostburg and studied at the College of Wooster, spending a year in Dakar, Senegal. She later returned to Senegal as a  teacher, studied Wolof, and trained with Wycliffe Bible Translators. With a Fulbright grant, she earned a Master’s in African Languages in Côte d’Ivoire. After returning to the U.S., she married Dr. Pascal Kokora, former Ivorian Ambassador and Georgetown professor. Karen taught French in MCPS for 27 years, most recently in the IB program at Springbrook High School. In retirement, she and her husband support library and clinic projects in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire.

Alaha Ahrar is a Social Justice and Human Rights expert based in Virginia, USA. She holds a master’s degree in Social Justice and Human Rights from George Mason University, where she completed an outstanding final book focused on survivors of human trafficking and human smuggling.

Ms. Ahrar earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Mary Washington, graduating on time in four years with a triple major in Human Rights, Political Science, and International Affairs, as well as a certificate in Middle Eastern Studies.

She is a multilingual professional fluent in English, Persian (Dari and Farsi), Hindi, Pashto, and Urdu, with working proficiency in Arabic and Spanish. She also possesses advanced computer and research skills.

Ms. Ahrar has collaborated with numerous national and international organizations, leading and initiating impactful projects that have benefited communities in the United States, Afghanistan, Canada, and countries within the European Union.

She currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of International Kindness Sharing (IKS), a 501(c)(3) international nonprofit organization based in Virginia, and as a Gender Consultant working across the United States, Europe, and Asia. In addition, she has served on the Board of Directors of International World Poetry (Canada) and the Afghan Women’s Writing Project and is an active member of the Global Goodwill Ambassadors Foundation (GGAF).

Ms. Ahrar is a nationally and internationally multi-award-winning poet, writer, and gender equality and human rights expert. As an accomplished public speaker, she uses her voice extensively to advocate for human rights, social justice, peacebuilding, and global solidarity.