While preparing for school this morning, Ofu said, “I want to dress up fancy and wear my bow tie, so Ms. Miller can say ‘Ofu, you look handsome and nice.'”

Sweetheart: “Really?”

Ofu: “Yeah.”

Me: “That will be so cool.”

Ofu: “Yeah.”

After he left for school, I relayed Ofu’s message to Mrs. Miller to which she replied:

“Thank you!!! I did tell him how handsome he looks today!”

So why would Ofu dress up to impress his teacher?

My guess is that great teachers inspire us beyond academics success. They can see us beyond candidates for academic tests, whose affirmations depends on the extent of our academic success. They have a holistic approach to us and they all add up for our benefits and overall life’s achievements. I’m sure that’s the appeal Ofu responded to by dressing up to impress Mrs. Miller, to whom Sweetheart and I are thankful.

Mrs. Miller, Ofu has held you in high esteem since entering second grade. I believe that your positive influence on Ofu will far outlive the period of his academic pursuit and follow him into other endeavors.

• 12/21/18

Help your strong-willed child maintain a good relationship with teachers.

Cynthia Ulrich Tobias, You Can’t Make Me [But I Can Be Persuaded], p.91.

It is in the same vein that I’m thankful to my teachers whose lasting impressions continue to inspire me.

Ms. Alice – Student Teacher (class 4 or 5 i.e. 3rd or 4th grade), Demonstration Primary School, Makurdi.

I remember Ms. Alice, then a student teacher (from around 1981/82) so well like yesterday but I can’t remember my class teacher. Ms. Alice saw beyond my shyness and drew something out of me that became the foundation of my outgoing personality. I don’t remember exactly what she said but I remember her implying and insisting that I had an inherent stage presence that needed exploration. She would go to encourage my selection for a TV appearance along with other students (pupils as we called back then) when Demonstration Primary School featured in an episode of “Play Time” or “Show Time”(?), a children’s TV program on NTA Makurdi or NTV Makurdi as it was called back then. I still remember her praises and cheers of reaffirmation after the show was aired. Ms. Alice loved music and always hummed songs of Evelyn King and Skyy. The courage I now have to make presentations in front of crowds and to appear in all the stage performances that I’ve been involved are traceable to Ms. Alice’s foundational affirmations.

Rev. Fr. Angus Fraser (of blessed memory), Former Principal, Mt. St. Gabriel’s Secondary School

Fr. Fraser’s sacrificial lifestyle was extremely exemplary in all ramifications. His life modeled discipline and love; integrity, excellence, commitment, spirituality, friendliness, the edification of subordinates and followers. We, all his students carry a part of him in our lives as we imitate his virtues which we have imbibed. Fr. Fraser was a great man of God, as evidenced by the array of glowing tributes poured out upon his call to glory. For a sneak peek into his greatness, please click here to read my Tribute to Fr. Fraser.

Prof. Andrew Ekoja – University of Agriculture Makurdi

Prof. Andrew Ekoja is a man that I’ll describe as a person who models and speaks the truth in love. He’s always friendly without compromising standards. Prof. Ekoja always focused on the strengths of his students, that was my experience with him, anyway. His welcoming smiles and kind words made him very approachable with both academic and non-academic concerns with guaranteed confidentiality as well as without the risk of being judged. Prof. Ekoja always expressed his belief in a bright future for me, even when I couldn’t envision so. The professional and academic references he gave me whenever I needed one were outstanding and they became a model for the ones that I write for others who need mine. My relationship with Prof. Ekoja developed from a teacher-student relationship through mentor-mentee to life coach-client relationships. He continues to lavish me with his generous admiration. Being, a Godly man, he recently reminded me that although Jesus said, a servant cannot be greater than his master his prayer is that I and all his students should accomplish beyond his – a hallmark of his humility. He added that doing God’s work will attract challenges which God is able to see me through and that I needed to be prepared by staying connected to God through prayers. He also encouraged me to always remember my parents whom he referred to as “the nucleus of your blessing.” That’s a reference that I heard of for the first time, so I’m constantly learning from him. Although my parents and Prof. Ekoja are well known to each other, my relationship with him has been on the basis of its own merit. He is a wonderful husband and a good father. His gentlemanliness and virtues are qualities that I enjoy to emulate.

Prof. Ben Kalu – University of Agriculture Makurdi

Prof. Ben Kalu was my father’s friend before I became his student at the University of Agriculture Makurdi. By implication, he represented my father’s presence around me but not in a hoovering and probing manner. Although Prof. Kalu commanded great respect from members of the university community, he was humble, unintimidating and soft-spoken as well as possessed a great sense of humor. He treated every concern I raised with absolute confidentiality and professionalism. They are my biggest takeaways from him and I’m striving to live by them. I truly respect Prof. Kalu.

Prof. Godwin Abu – University of Agriculture Makurdi

Prof. Godwin Abu was one of our final year lecturers at the University of Agriculture Makurdi. His passion for Agricultural Economics and the vibrancy with which he delivered his lectures injected into us the much-needed drive to complete the last lap. By this time, some of us had already been depleted of energy and were using our reserves. He made the “mountain of completion” look small and doable through his cheers and analogies. I still remember his use of “Ahangba Farms” to explain concepts to the tickle of his students. Ahangba was the last name of one of my classmates. My relationship with him developed into friendship years after graduation and even into meeting-ups for social outings. Prof. Abu’s passion and enthusiasm for his career are attitudes that I’ve picked up on and, I’m using in my undertakings. I still hold him in high esteem.

Dr. James Stanworth – University of Buckingham

Dr. James Stanworth was my first research project supervisor at the University of Buckingham. Dr. Stanworth was energetic, outgoing and very humorous. Before I knew it, Dr. Stanworth blew my mind with a SWOT analysis (if you like – strengths, weaknesses, external opportunities and threats) of my personality! Equipped with this knowledge about me, he guided me to the project that brought out my best. Beyond the academic and professional relationship, we had a good social relationship as well. He laughed a lot and teased a lot! Does that say why we got along so well? As a result of Dr. Stanworth’s study of my personality and using it to my advantage, I’m also led to do likewise in relating to others. I thank him for giving me a pay-it-forward experience.

Ms. Marlene Thomas – Lone Star College – CyFair

Ms. Marlene Thomas was my clinical instructor at Lone Star College CyFair. She was the teacher who first noted my writing skills. Upon reading and scoring my first paper submission she said she enjoyed reading it. It’s one thing to make an excellent grade on your submission, but it’s a higher dimension of empowerment for your instructor to express joy in reading your work. Once my consistency was established she began looking forward to reading my papers. She once said she couldn’t help it but to give me a 100% score. Although over the years, I realized that I possessed good writing skills from the feedbacks of my close friends and relatives who had read my writings, however, it was through Ms. Thomas’ affirmations that I took full ownership of my writing gift. Here I am today, thank you, Ms. Thomas. Her kind corrections on my clinical log later turned out to be a huge blessing. I had a good understanding of it in theory and even explained it to my classmates who didn’t fully grasp it. I did well in theory until she became my clinical instructor and my theoretical knowledge didn’t fully translate into practice. What she taught me was like breaking a goal into SMART objectives. She set me up for a big success, as you will see below. Please keep reading!😊

Dr. Quinton Robertson – Former Retention Officer, Nursing Department, Lone Star College – CyFair

Dr. Quinton Robertson was a faculty and the former Retention Officer for the nursing department at Lone Star College CyFair. He is a master encourager! He commands an array of edifying words and statements. My becoming an academic student as a family man was very challenging. Having trimmed my monthly expenses due to the impending decreased income, I approached Dr. Robertson for advice on how else I can maximize my limited income in readiness for program commencement. He listened intently as I presented my household budget, after which he paused for a moment and said “in all the years that I’ve been the retention officer, I have never seen a more prepared student than you. You have done everything that I would have asked you to do. There’s nothing that I can add, Joseph. You’re on the path of success and I wish you well.” From then on, the professional relationship blossomed. He always had something encouraging to say. When I ran into a crisis and missed a semester, his respect and admiration did not wane, although I was very crushed. Dr. Robertson strongly believed in my return for even an excellent finish. It was from him that I first heard about Willie Jolley’s book: “A Setback Is a Setup for a Comeback.” It turned out to be so! Upon my return and program completion at a sister campus, Lone Star College Montgomery he was there to grace my graduation. So much respect and admiration still reserved for you, Dr. Robertson!

Ms. Linda King – Lone Star College Montgomery

Ms. Linda King is a professor of vocational nursing at Lone Star College Montgomery. I met her at my readmission interview after my crisis at sister Lone Star College CyFair. They had one open slot which was keenly contested for by ten applicants. By God’s grace, I emerged as the successful candidate. Ms. King never stopped telling me how glad she was that I emerged as the successful candidate. I can describe Ms. King as a person who is skilled at identifying the potentials of her students. Although I was not the best student academically Ms. King always called me a leader. She always viewed me through a holistic lens and saw academics as just a piece of my puzzle. Ms. King’s adherence to standards was done so graciously that I was inspired to do my best. One of my most memorable experience of her gifted teaching was in her never leaving anything to assumption. She always ensured that we knew the normal first so that we can easily identify the abnormal when it occurred! That stuck with me! Ms. King understood with me that life gets in the way, especially as an adult learner. She was not sorely caught up with measuring my performance but genuinely interested in my overall wellbeing. I recall how she likened my life as a husband, father, worker, and student to eating an elephant with one little bite at a time. She always had uplifting words of encouragement. Never did she ever lose her calm! Ms. King believed in my ability to excel at whatever I did, and told me so repeatedly. She expressed great pleasure at reading my papers. Upon graduation and I was granted the Clinical Excellence Award, she said she wasn’t surprised. In reply, I thanked her for her kindness and promised to pay forward all that I learned from her. She once invited me to speak to her students, which I gladly obliged. Ms. King’s holistic approach to her students inspires me to do the same for my children and all who cross my path. I will always appreciate you, ma’am.

Ms. Cinthya Vidales – Lone Star College – Montgomery

Ms. Cinthya Vidales is a former professor of vocational nursing at the Lone Star College Montgomery. Her use of information and communications technologies, and other resources allowed for the maximization of the learning styles of her students. Personally, I think I was the highest beneficiary of her method because my reception of the information she provided expanded astronomically once I became free to adapt my learning style as needed. She was also very open to whatever style her students chose to present their understanding of the knowledge. If she didn’t have enough facts when asked questions, Ms. Vidales always got back to us after researching. She would also ask us to research and bring feedbacks. I recall her appreciating my perspective on one of my feedbacks. She would always say she’s never heard or seen it from that view. Now, that’s humility! I emulate this principle with my kids. Sometimes, when they ask me for the meaning of a new word or concept, I’d tell them to Google it on their tablets and let’s discuss afterward. Ms. Vidales ensured a friendly learning environment and was easily approachable. The freedom she gave me to learn using my learning styles is what I’m also extending to anyone that I’m privileged to teach whatever. She truly admired and encouraged my writing skills. Ms. Vidales was so impressed with my final clinical log project that she requested my permission for it to be used as a model for future generations of students! With that affirmation, I came away with a 360-degree conclusion that I will be using my writing skills for something big someday. Today, my clinical log is the basis for a personal project in the birthing. Thank you, Ms. Vidales!

All that I have written is not exhaustive about the exceptional qualities of my teachers. So to you all, my teachers, just as Ofu, my son was inspired to look good for his teacher, Mrs. Miller, so am I perpetually motivated by your coaching. I’m fueled to pay it forward. Thank you!!!

“…Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s…”

Mark 12: 17.