Emma Sherbine’s journey is a testament to resilience, determination and the power of education.
Born with a hearing disability, she faced significant challenges. But with early intervention and the unwavering support of her family and Voorhees schools, Sherbine has gone on to make a global impact through her work in education and digital technology.
“I was born with a hearing disability that significantly impacted my ability to communicate effectively,” Sherbine recalled. “Fortunately, my parents detected this early in my life, and I was privileged to access resources such as audiologists, speech therapists and special- education services.
“These resources were instrumental in helping me manage the challenges of my disability, while allowing me to fully participate alongside my peers in school.”
Sherbine’s early education took place at E.T. Hamilton Elementary School and Voorhees Middle School, where she benefitted from special-education resources and regular evaluations. Despite the hurdles she faced, Sherbine was recommended for the Enrichment Program at both schools, which she said was pivotal in shaping her education.
“Looking back, these experiences were fundamental in instilling in me the belief that my disability did not define my potential for success,” she recounted. “The techniques and resources I received enabled me to develop my unique approach to learning. This not only allowed me to keep up with my peers, but also to excel as a student.”
After graduating from Eastern Regional High School in 2012, Sherbine faced one of the most challenging periods of her life. Hospitalized during her senior year, she was unable to participate in the traditional graduation ceremony. But once she recovered in July of that year, Sherbine began the process of recovery and reassimilation.
A year later, Sherbine enrolled at Rutgers University. She struggled at first to find direction in her studies, but everything changed in her second year when she read “I Am Malala: The Story of the Girl Who Stood Up for Education and was Shot by the Taliban.” Inspired by Malala Yousafzai’s story of life in her native Pakistan after the Taliban took control of her town and nearly killed her, Sherbine went at her education with renewed purpose, majoring in information technology and minoring in digital communication and information media.
“My efforts paid off, and I eventually found myself on the dean’s list,” Sherbine remembered. Her time at Rutgers also sparked a love for travel and a curiosity about the world that would later influence her career choices.
After graduation, Sherbine worked in the startup industry, but quickly realized the conventional 9-to-5 lifestyle wasn’t for her. A solo trip to Japan and Thailand revealed her true passion. Inspired by people who were teaching English abroad, Sherbine chose to make education her career.
She moved to South Korea in 2019 to teach English, just before the world was upended by COVID. During that time, she discovered the powerful intersection between her tech background and education, particularly in the context of distance learning. It fueled her passion for closing the digital divide and led her to pursue a master’s degree.
While at Soka University of America, Sherbine founded and became president of the United Nations Association chapter there. A remote internship with Musizi University in Uganda deepened her interest in higher-education access, culminating in thesis research there during the summer of 2023.
The experience was transformative.
“It revealed just how much more I had to learn,” Sherbine acknowledged.
Her involvement with the United Nations increased, and Sherbine eventually became a delegate to the international agency for the 68th Commission on the Status of Women, where she represented young voices.
To contribute more tangibly to the communities she studied, Sherbine applied to Peace Corps Response and served in Liberia, where she began her role at the Gateway Vocational Training Centre as a digital outreach and Resource Mobilization Specialist, vocational trainer and mentor.
“Liberia’s rich history, vibrant culture, and the renowned hospitality of its people were certainly compelling,” Sherbine explained. “But more importantly, I was motivated by the immense potential of Liberia’s youth.”
Her work there included co-training staff to manage Gateway Vocational’s online presence, supporting resource mobilization efforts and teaching computer classes. Sherbine’s efforts helped equip the next generation of Liberian workers with essential digital literacy skills crucial for their careers.
“Overall,” she reflected, “my time in Liberia has been marked by meaningful work, deep connections and the opportunity to make a lasting impact on the lives of the trainees and the broader community.”
For more information and photos about Gateway Vocational Training Centre, visit the link: https://www.facebook.com/GatewayVocationalTrainingCentre/
