The dream of anyone in life is to achieve success in their chosen profession. I dreamt of it, I worked towards it and likewise praying over it and thank God today, I have the success story to share as the overall best teacher (primary) in Lagos state for the year 2016.
It all started when I joined the Lagos state Universal Basic Education Board (LSUBEB) as a classroom teacher in 2009. I was deployed to Agege local government Area (LGEA) and was posted to St Peter’s Blessed Primary School, Agege where I work till date. Immediately, I joined the service as a classroom teacher, I determined to be a successful teacher and a great nation builder.
I attended a lot of educational seminars such as millennium development goals (MDG) Esspin and I pursue my knowledge further by attending a lot of other seminars organized by various non-governmental organizations (NGO) such as AISS Foundation, Topmost Foundation and particularly Seedtime Foundation, which was founded by a great lover of children and educationist, in person of Mrs. Tola Oladeji.
It will be unfair, if I do not acknowledge the great impact of Seedtime foundation towards my success in my career. Seedtime foundation exposed and nurtured me to be a contemporary teacher especially in the aspect of classroom decoration. I emerged the 1st position in the Seedtime classroom display competition in the year 2015.
Since the most important part of the school environment to children is their classroom and in order to make proper use of the knowledge I gained from seedtime foundation, I spent my money to provide modern instructional materials for my pupils and display beautiful and colourful cut out papers in various sizes and shapes on my classroom wall in order to beautify the learning environment.
On the 14th of December 2016, my dream of being recognized, honoured and celebrated by the government came true. It was a glorious and memorable day, as I was awarded a brand new JAC 3 car by the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LSUBEB) as the overall best primary school teacher in Lagos state for the year 2016.
This was an awesome experience and one of the happiest days in my life as I dance and rejoiced with colleagues, friends and well wishers. The award serves as a motivation for me to even be more dedicated in my job.
Finally, to my fellow colleagues, I say; why don’t you determine today to be a great nation builder, achiever, a unique educator and a celebrated teacher just as I am. Nothing is impossible if we believe.
According to Zig Ziglar: “You don’t pay the price for success, You enjoy the price for success”
Thank you and God bless you all.
Ajape Kafayat Omowunmi