It was William Arthur Ward who once wrote “The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires”.

Today is Teacher's Day and the 2024 theme: Valuing Teacher Voices: Towards a New Social Contract for Education recognizes the valued  roles teachers play as they are the most important in-school factor when it comes to learning.

I come from a background of illustrious teachers on both my paternal and maternal side. Both my parents were teachers and I am married to a teacher. I have spent many years volunteering at summer lessons teaching social Studies, Civic Education and Government. By virtue of my many years of moderating and presiding over Model United Nations conferences and committees within and outside Nigeria, you can safely infer that I am also a teacher.

You will agree with me that In all, the teacher leaves you better than you were with your parents. In many cases, teachers have gone on to help people discover their destinies.

The age long maxim the teacher's reward is in heaven has become a dangerous philosophy, a breeding ground for contempt and the trivialization of the role of teachers. The reward for teachers need not be seen in tangible pecuniary terms, but in many intangibles - respect, dignity, recognition. The teacher stands towering above every other profession, because it is the cradle of both professional and vocational excellence.

But what do we find in today's society? A direct contempt for the person or the profession itself. They are constantly being owed salaries and, even when they retire, pensions don't come as it should. They continue to battle both natural and environmental forces to ensure that lessons are taught and comprehension achieved.

Teachers endure very harsh conditions of service and work assidiously to build the next generation. Well, this isn't new when we consider that even Jesus' authority was questioned, his teachings contested. But it does not embolden us to disregard our teachers.

It is he who hasn't been taught before that would not be grateful for lessons of life imparted by the teacher. Teachers, lead the motivation charge, helping people to unleash their passion and bear true gifts to the world. Teachers are the real MVPs because they never tire to lend themselves; regularly pouring out their own lives as a libation for the service of others.

To every profession, a teacher is responsible. To the many success and ingenuity recorded in our World today, the hand of the teacher is visible. Today, the world celebrates the amazing roles Teachers play in shaping our lives and in building great minds.

In praise of teachers, Maria Montessori puts it well "It is not enough for the teacher to love the child. She must first love and understand the universe. She must prepare herself, and truly work at it." If the teacher does this, then why can't we value them and then improve their status?

We owe our teachers a debt of gratitude. Our thankfulness should not be ensconced only on a day like this. It should be a daily mantra - a sort of timeless gratitude. For as Bill Gates rightly said, "Technology is just a tool. In terms of getting the kids working together and motivating them, the teacher is the most important."

Today, I celebrate the love of my life, wife of my youth, mother of our son and teacher to both of us - Nkiruka Mary Sylvia Udechukwu. BSc. PGDE. M.ED for the outstanding role she plays as an educator.

Baby gurl, keep shining!

Today, treat a teacher nice. Thank a teacher!

#thedailyletter #jisi #teachers #teaching  #teachersday2024 #ojisiemezie

Stay Jiggy

Jisi 

“In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.” ― Albert Camus

Hola people!

It has been ages I know right! I apologies. I look forward to being regular now. You can ask all your questions later, but first, let me share this very interesting personal tale of triumph from my friend. I hope it encourages you to keep fighting especially as we all struggle to survive this period of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Enjoy!

OjisiEmezie

As a young child approaching her teen, I didn’t understand what it meant to be asthmatic. Initially, I was oblivious of what it was; but, my doctor and parents took me through  the processes and interventions I must take once I had a respiratory discomfort. My inhaler was always with me. I was in the secondary school then and couldn’t tell my mates about my condition because I didn’t want to be discriminated against. Hence, I would always  hide to use my inhaler.

While in High School, I was an athlete and did well in tracks, running the 100m, 200m and 4 × 100m relay races. I represented my sport house during the Annual inter house sports and did well in such outings. Running at the risk of my health was not a concern, I wanted to show my abilities.  

On some occasions, I  have had attacks on the tracks while running. These attacks were severe because they led to me being hospitalized. Few family friends got to know and recommended alternative treatment – traditional medicine. At first we had our doubts about it, but my parents wanted results immediately. The frequent hospitalizations, nocturnal attacks, the pains I went through, the many struggles for my life had tortured my parents and they desperately needed a solution. The traditional approach held no viable results, so we switched back to orthodox medication, where I began to progress in the management of my condition.

Then I got admitted into the University of my dreams. Then, my well managed asthma caved in like a pack of cards. Why? Student life, stress, moving to a new apartment, anxiety among others was key triggers. This was when I was first introduced to a nebuliser. Mother had procured one for me because it became imperative for me to own one at the time . The nebuliser is quite expensive, different from an average inhaler and requires a prescription before usage.

 The nebulizer gave quick relief because the medicine which comes in liquid form but when connected with the machine transforms into vapour and connects directly to the lungs. If I had a mild attack or I sensed the symptoms coming early enough,, then I could nebulise myself without any help; if not I would need help to set the nebuliser up. With the nebulizer, the number of hospitalizations declined. Another inhaler was added to my prescription. At this point I was using inhaled Long Acting Beta Adrenergic Agonist with Corticosteroid and on a daily basis. I resorted to Short Acting Beta Adrenergic Agonist Inhaler whenever I had an attack. I I also use my nebulizer if I’m home (my nebuliser was electric).

I was made to understand that Corticosteroids are my daily meal to keep my airways from getting inflamed. I have I religiously followed up with the prescription and then the frequency of the attacks reduced from weekly to once or twice monthly and later once in 4-6 months. The improvement was tremendous.

In November 2016, something terrible happened. I almost died that day hence, it is one day I won’t forget in a hurry. I was in my room when the attack came, it was severe. My Salbutamol failed me and I ran out of my room asking my friend to blow me air. I was choking and needed to breathe, I kept gasping for air, I felt life slowly ebbing away. Yet my friend would not stop blowing the air and after some minutes of struggle, things normalised. The battle was fierce and in intense, one of the most deadly fifteen minutes I have ever witnessed in my life. I won that battle.

The picture above was taken on the first day of the year 2020. I had Scheduled a shoot days before the end of the previous year and lo, my nightmare came visiting again. I postponed my shoot until I was well. This scene wasn’t planned for till I stepped into the studio and told the photographer we needed to change plans. I wanted to show my strength, my struggle to live, my pain and my miracle.

Since the news of the Covid-19 pandemic, I have been left thinking if the end has come for me. Asthmatics and diabetics are predisposed to the virus (coronavirus). I feared death. At some point I was willing to go run the COVID19 test to know my status. My trigger this time was emotional. I was anxious all the time. I blocked my ears off the NEWS on the number of cases and death tolls. Asthmatics have a low chance of survival because when we fall ill, we do it with gusto.

The nightmares came again during the early weeks of the pandemic. With accompanying pains, it did come and my best weapon to fight it is the nebuliser. One actuation twice daily of Long Acting Beta Adrenergic Agonist and it keeps the nightmare away for months.

Asthmatics know their triggers and this is imperative. Possible triggers are dust, smoke, foul smell, perfume, emotions (excitement, anxiety, sadness), stress, low temperature, Flee from them, this reduces doctor’s appointments and multiple hospitalizations. Also, stay true to your inhalers or Nebulisers, whichever you can afford to buy.

We can live a full, lively and fun life. Know what anti-asthma medication and inhalers works best for you. I am living my life better now because I know how to overcome my nightmares. You can do it.

Stay safe!

Facebook Ogueri Chiamaka  Instagram: ogueri_chi TwitterOgueriChiamaka

"To break boundaries, you must push beyond limits; for dreams may crash, hearts may get broken, hopes may die but don't stop because if you do, you will miss the next great moment of your life. Keep on moving." Chimezie Udechukwu

The statement *you can only get what you inspect and not what you expect* is such a powerful statement that further shows how tactical you are in deploying your strategy for winning.

Sometime ago we talked about *the sincerity of purpose* Someone once said *you can only supervise what you know* that struck me because a leader can only lead if he knows what he's doing. It therefore shows that Sincerity of purpose encourages accomplishments.

While building your character as a leader, build your knowledge too. This is called *Competence* in the world of work today, character isn't enough to get you the job, you need the blend of *character, charisma and competence,* Know something about everything and everything about something.

It doesn't make you a jack of all trade and a master of none, but it you sure makes you a fine leader who understands that for anyone to go with you towards your vision, you must have demonstrated great knowledge about the destination, with the finest of charisma and a dose of impeccable character.

It is not always a ride in the park but when you know and you are open minded even when setbacks come, you will be better prepared to celebrate when the war is won!

*You can only control what you measure. Push on, stand your ground. The glory days are here!*

Keep pushing Keep doors!

OjisiEmezie