Anne Bessong stresses why she is passionate about teaching: Why is teaching important to me

Teaching profession needs overhauling – Mrs. Bessong

Anne Bessong, a passionate and charismatic teacher is the Head of Schools at Eaglesworld Global Schools in Ajah, Lagos state. In this interview with ENE OSANG the teacher with over 20 years experience stresses the importance of teaching out of passion rather than as an alternative.

Can we meet you?

I am Anne Bessong, second child/daughter of late Pa & Mrs. Aloysius Chukwuemeka. I attended St. Agnes Primary School, Maryland and Immaculate Heart Comprehensive High School, Maryland. My mother was a teacher and  my dad a chartered accountant.
I got my first degree from the University of Port Harcourt in 1991 & my masters degree from the University of Lagos in 2014. Both degrees are in English.
I am married and we are blessed with two wonderful sons.

I have been teaching for over 20 years; moved up to headship positions from 2007 that is eleven years ago.I am presently the Head of Schools at Eaglesworld Global schools, Ajah. It comprises preschool, primary, & secondary.

I also have my private practice which offers staff in service trainings, school set-up, and staff recruitment. I compere events (MC)  and I have completed a course in Events Management not too long ago, to better position myself in that area.

Apart from teaching, I compere events (MC), I facilitate staff trainings and  help with schools set up.I did not start off my career as a teacher, I worked with the media in the past, even now I also edit/proof read magazines/books for publication.

Tell us about your days in the media?

My days in media relations were remarkable. I worked in the print and television and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. It honed my writing skills and sharpened my communication skills. It also opened doors for me, creating opportunities to meet all sorts of people in high places.

You are passionate about teaching today,  why did you leave media job?

I did not start off my career as a teacher by choice, I got tired of my first son being bullied in school so I decided to quit my job in media relations to become a teacher.
My passion for teaching grew over the years as I worked with children of different ages & capabilities. I had to go back to school to get certified as a teacher in order to have the relevant requirements for the job.Teaching is not a job but a ministry that requires all that one has in terms of physical & psychological strength and input.
There is no greater joy than seeing pupils/students in ones care becoming better academically & otherwise. Doing with ease things they could not do before.

How would you describe the teaching profession in Nigeria?

The teaching profession in Nigeria really needs to be overhauled. I believe teaching should not be a last resort in the absence of other careers and that  begins from choice of course of study.Undergraduates study courses in Education because they could not meet up with their original choice; graduates go into teaching because they could not get their dream jobs, then mediocrity sets in it’s very sad really.

This is the reason why private schools are taking over. Owners, who know what it takes, will only hire teachers who know what is required and have passion for the job.

Is it true that teacher’s reward is in heaven, what exactly does that mean?

Teachers’ reward left heaven a long time ago and is now here on earth. I think that saying came from back in the days when teachers worked so hard for meagre pay, stipends really.The saying was a palliative one that was meant to give them some kind of hope that whatever reward they could not get here on earth, will surely be given to them in heaven.

Tell us about your journey to the peak of teaching profession?

My journey is still on so I cannot categorically say that I have gotten to the peak of my teaching career. I still attend trainings & whether as a facilitator or organizer, I still learn from each seminar/workshop.

So any regrets being a teacher considering you went into teaching because of your child?

No regrets whatsoever. Truth is that none of my children ever passed through my class. However, understudying & understanding them helped me a great deal on the job.My first son graduated with a First Class in Network and Telecommunications Engineering. His brother is presently studying Software Development Engineering.When I counsel parents, I don’t just talk from the viewpoint of a seasoned teacher but also from the position of a successful parent.

As an educationist what is your take on the Nigerian education system?

The Nigerian education system is a bit tedious but once a student gets a hang of it, he will easily excel anywhere else in the world, that’s for those that go about it the right way.The government still has a long way to go which is why those who can afford it continue to enroll their children in schools abroad.

Women have been stereotyped as teachers by many, is it true that teaching is the best career for women?
With the way the world is moving, any one still latching on to stereotypes must belong to the distant past. However, for preschoolers, women remain the best bet. Not men or inexperienced ladies.

How would you describe teacher/pupil relationship today compared to the past?
Teacher/pupil relationship is a whole lot better now than in the past.Before, the teacher was the be all and end all in the class room but not any more. Now education is child centered so the teacher has to focus on methods that will help their pupils/students to better understand the lesson. The relationship now is a whole lot better pupil/student success is what determines teacher’s success. better still, teacher’s success is measured by his/her pupils’ success

What would you say you have achieved in life?

My greatest achievement apart from my own biological children that are thriving, remains pupils and students that have passed through my class and are presently doing well in different endeavours in life. Some are even married with children of their own and that really gladdens my heart.

Where do you vision yourself in the nearest future?
In the nearest future, I see myself a very successful education consultant Organising workshops that will greatly impact the education sector in the country.

How would you assess the present administration?

Though I shy away from any form of politics, I am a firm believer that a nation always gets the leader it deserves. Nigeria is not an exception. That said, I want to believe that GOD knows and sees all we are presently passing through. The present administration is doing what they can as best as they know how.

Women are blamed for the ills perpetrated by youths in the society today due to their passion in chasing career, are they really  to be blamed?
It won’t be right to blame the ills perpetrated by youths in the society on women/mothers chasing career alone. Though the bulk of the blame still rests at their doorpost.

Women are home makers by nature so with or without a career, nature expects us to play our roles.
In event that our work requires too much time then we may have to rearrange our priorities especially when children are involved.

When adequate time is not given to nurturing children, the tendency for them to become delinquent is very high.

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