Beyond the Classroom: How Miss Samson Is helping teachers build their professional presence with canva

Teachers spend years developing their skills, supporting learners and managing the demands of the classroom. Yet many struggle to communicate that experience beyond their school walls.

How do they demonstrate their impact, build a professional presence or present themselves confidently when new opportunities arise?

This is the challenge Miss Samson is working to address through Nurture Learn Inspire Academy, where she trains teachers to build their digital presence and communicate the value of their work. Canva is one of the tools she uses to help them get there.

“I tell them they can be more and that they can thrive beyond the classroom,” she says.

For Samson, that message is personal. In 2022, she was preparing to step away from classroom teaching but remained committed to her own development.

A friend shared several courses with her, including one on Canva, introducing her to possibilities beyond traditional teaching.

She began creating flyers for a travel agency and exploring the platform’s design tools. That experience would later become part of how she helps other educators approach their professional growth.

Helping teachers show their impact

Through her training, Samson teaches educators how to use Canva to create teaching portfolios, LinkedIn banners, CVs and classroom resources.

A teaching portfolio, in particular, can help educators tell a fuller story about their work. Beyond qualifications and years of experience, it can include their teaching philosophy, evidence of learners’ progress and feedback they have received.

These details help teachers demonstrate what they bring to their profession rather than relying solely on a list of responsibilities or years of service.

“You can use Canva to create your teaching portfolios,” she explains. “The templates are there for you.”

Teachers can search for an existing template, adapt the design and add their own information without needing advanced graphic design skills.

Samson also incorporates CV development into a six-week training programme for teachers preparing to pursue employment opportunities.

The aim is practical: help educators present their skills and experience clearly, whether they are applying for a role, strengthening their LinkedIn presence or documenting their professional development.

Making digital tools easier to use

Samson’s use of Canva extends beyond professional branding. She also introduces teachers to presentation templates and worksheets that can support classroom teaching.

A teacher preparing a lesson on nouns for Primary 3 pupils, for example, can search for relevant slides, select a suitable template and adapt it to the lesson instead of starting from scratch.

For teachers balancing lesson preparation, marking and classroom responsibilities, this can save time and provide inspiration for presenting concepts more visually.

Samson believes presentation matters because the way a lesson is delivered can influence how pupils engage with it. Well-designed slides can capture attention and make learning materials more inviting, although teachers still need to ensure the content meets their pupils’ needs.

She has also explored Canva’s AI capabilities through a course on AI in the classroom, broadening her understanding of how the platform can support educators.

Challenging the “I’m not techy” mindset

Despite these possibilities, Samson believes some teachers remain hesitant to explore digital tools. Some assume the technology is difficult, others believe it is too expensive, while some are comfortable with familiar ways of working.

She sees awareness and training as important steps towards changing that mindset. Teachers do not need to master every feature at once.

They can begin with one practical task, such as creating a portfolio or improving a CV, and build confidence from there.

Samson also recognises that access to technology and the willingness of schools to embrace it influence adoption. Introducing a tool is only the beginning; educators need to understand how to use it and where it fits into their work.

Extending the possibilities for educators

After spending almost five years away from classroom teaching while continuing to train educators, Samson has returned to the classroom at Corona School in Agbara.

Although she is still settling into the role, her training work remains a central part of her professional journey.

Her message to teachers is that their development should not stop at the classroom door. They can continue learning, document what they contribute and explore ways to communicate their skills to a wider professional audience.

Through Nurture Learn Inspire Academy, Samson is helping educators take practical steps towards that goal.

Canva provides templates and tools to make the process more accessible, while teachers bring the experience, knowledge and judgement that give their work meaning.

For educators wondering where to begin, the first step could be as simple as creating a portfolio, refreshing a CV or building a professional LinkedIn banner.

The work teachers do every day has value. Learning how to show that value can open the door to new possibilities.