when teachers cease to look like teachers

Scene 1

I got on board quite late as I was not keen on lining up with the long queue when I could just sit down comfortably to complete episode 11 of Jenifa's Diary in peace.

Just as I planned, I finished the episode and happily strolled in behind a couple people to get on board.

I sighted my seat partners from a distance, both elderly and stern faced, I knew it was going to be a 

5-hour flight properly planned so that I don't get bored.

While I was still settling down, the passenger beside me mentioned that he noticed I came in a group, 'yes sir,' as I nodded.We all didn't seat together so I wondered how he must have thought so. It is most likely that he saw us much earlier when we were all checking in.

You know how it is when you know the person beside you is staring and looking for a conversation? That was the case but was not ready at the time.

A little after, I had a brief chat with one of  the air hostesses who totally loved and wanted to get the wig I had on. Immediately she went off the man asked again, ' Did you come for a conference?' This time I answered but did not look away, it was appropriate to have that once in a while chat with my seat partner.

I could tell he was curious and was definitely ready to feed him with as much as he asked for. Typical of his age range, he spoke with light gestures when he wanted to stress a point.

'What organization are you from?' Hmmm....I could tell he was thinking differently and I wanted to burst those bubbles immediately. Tuning my voice to the desired pitch for making my 'killer' impression, ' I am a teacher.'

Obviously jerking with astonishment, he readjusted and demanded to know what organization I came from and annoyingly again I said, 'every member of the group is a teacher' and that we were being sponsored by our school, Corona Schools Trust, Council.

For a few seconds he started to stutter, he was totally in awe. He said he was amazed that teachers would travel for a conference in such a large group (sponsored by the school). I just quietly looked at him with a faint smile, waiting for him to gather himself back again.

He then began to tell me that he was a medical doctor who had just returned from a vacation in London and lots more.I nodded, smiled and chipped in a few words to keep the conversation rolling.

Teacher/ blogger like me, I pulled out a note and pencil to write. I spent a few hours writing, no doubt, I had my seat partner peeking at every opportunity. Thinking back now, maybe I should have engaged him in more conversations, but the introvert in me did not let that happen.

I have flashes of our conversations and I reaffirm that teachers can earn their respect if they behave and appear respectably.

Teachers are phenomenal because of what they do. Carry yourself with pride and watch how others desire to be like you.

Scene 2

Patiently opening and examining every single dish in the restaurant,  I needed to make a great choice for breakfast.Suddenly, I looked up to find someone cheerfully standing in front of me.

 "My name is Peter, a businessman from Zimbabwe. Are you one of the election observers?"

I wondered why he would think I was that. Without wasting anytime I proudly raised my conference identity card, mentioning my name and profession.

He found it difficult to believe that teachers were having a conference in that building and had flown in from other countries.

Curiously, I went around the meeting areas and saw that there was a banner by the EU, they came  to observe Kenya's elections. 

Two mornings later, while I had breakfast he asked to join my table which I obliged to. He asked more questions about the conference and I loaded it down to him.

Then, he started about education in Nigeria that was the point where I dropped my stuffed bread and began to talk. 

 Of course, I made sure to talk about Teacher Idara in all it's facets ( edu support for teachers, TCT Lend a hand project and business).

He was dazed because he probably hadn't met a 21st century teacher before. He didn't understand how teaching was my main hustle and I was so proud of it. 

 Businessman as he was he started offering business ideas and also offered to invest if the need ever arose.

What happened to my food? Your guess is right,  I got filled up with my gist, could not finish the main course and even skipped dessert.

When I got up to leave for my sessions that morning, I walked out of the dining area head up. I just had amazing and sustained  business, intellectual and political discussions and I nailed it.  

I left him with an impression that teachers are way more than the chalk and the board.

I am Idara Umosen, a teacher. Every morning, when my leg hits the ground, I know it's another opportunity to express myself to the world.

What's your teacher story?