To Juliana

An Open Letter to a Teacher

Dear Fellow,

I almost didn’t show up today because I was very busy throughout the week and too exhausted last night to hit the blank page for today’s despatch. I opened the schedule a few hours ago to find that today’s despatch is dedicated to a teacher I met on Facebook. I couldn’t resist the urge to get this out for her to see. Maybe yesterday, being International Women’s Day would’ve been the perfect day to write this to her. However, a day after isn’t bad a kind of Boxing Day, yeah?

Disclaimer: This is not Teacher Juliana Lene | Image source: WGU

So, good Fellow. The following is an open letter to Teacher Juliana Lene on Facebook.

Dear Teacher Juliana,

Do you remember the first direct message (DM) I sent to you via Facebook? I asked in the message if where you stood was the compound of a church in Jos. You said it wasn’t. You mentioned later on that it is a secondary school where you teach: Prime Iqrah College.

Remember I wrote this in response: “I feel the confidence beneath this response. Thank you for being bold a teacher in a society that is blind to who teachers really are—thank you for the sake of your students even.”

We continued talking, then you said, “Also, I’m teaching what I studied at the university—PHE.”

You already know how faulty our eyes are in this nation when looking at teachers. The image majority have of a typical Nigerian teacher is of a man to be pitied. His lot, they suggest, is to continue living in his willful signage into poverty, until he gets to Heaven where his reward is guaranteed. They make it seem like he doesn’t deserve his wage in full; he must practice the virtue of patience, imposed on him, and certainly never intended to make him a better teacher. Despite all these—not to mention the struggles of a female teach, for I know next to nothing about their own trials in the system—you, Julian, didn’t bow your head in shame when talking about what you do.

You confessed the job at the college was a past time deal, pending when a better opportunity comes around. Then you followed up immediately, “But I’m actually becoming more intentional about the job, giving it my best. The students don’t need or deserve someone who will teach them halfheartedly. Even if I do change career later, I want to give this my best, for the sake of the kids. So, being intentional about them includes covering their curriculum as in-depth as I can and even adding some knowledge here and there beyond their textbook. And also caring about them as individuals. Seeing them. I’m working on this.”

All that you said because I told you I was curious to know why you applied for the job.

Your response inspire this post. We had this conversation between 18th and 20th January 2024, check it. I entered the title for this despatch in my schedule on the 20th, as soon as we got off the conversation (maybe even before we finished.) That’s how inspiring your story is.

Dear Teacher Juliana, I really hope this makes your day. Maybe it motivates you to give your best through this term at school, that will be huge a testimony to hear. Meantime, know that there is one person here who values your work, service, and contribution to humanity, in that seemingly obscure place where you are. May the fruits of your labour nourish you in your gray years.

Dear Teacher Juliana, I am proud of you and celebrate your work. Thrive!

Yours sincerely,

Tongjal, W. N.

Good Fellow, please you can leave a comment for Teacher Juliana in the comments section. I will get her to come around to read and reply to them. That will go a long way, maybe a gift for her in commemoration of International Women’s Day in arrears.

Thank you, and may you be celebrated always, especially by your family, good Fellow. 

See you next week!

Your LetterMan,

Tongjal, W. N.