Open Letter to Shulammite Ajayi-Aremo, a Phenomenal 21st Century Teacher in Nigeria

Is there a teacher you remember today because of their genuine interest in your growth in your high school?

If you attended a government-owned secondary education school in Nigeria, you can relate to the attitude of some of these teachers to work.

Some of them have been teaching for so many years that they have become used to the system, and do not attempt to change their teaching methods or spice it up. While on the other hand, some of them are willing to do what it takes to be different from other teachers, genuinely showing interest in their students.

While doing this, other teachers may support them or not but surely the students will never forget them. I have a story about one of these teachers that I would tell the world if I was given a space at its center.

The interesting part of this story is, this teacher is showing this amazing trait at a time the education system and its results is discouraging to the willingness to be MORE as a student.

It is going to be long ride, but a sweet one. Grab your seat and your pop corn.

I met Mrs Shulammite in 2021 when she was still fuly a fashion designer. She still designs beautiful clothes but she has become more than that. She worked on myself and my sister’s dress after a tailor disappointed us, and she was able to deliver quality designs within a short period.

Mrs Shulammite Ajayi, 2021. Source: Instagram.

From that time on, I followed her professioinal life via her WhatsApp status and Instagram contents. As described in Proverbs 31: 13, 14, Mrs Shulammite delights to work with her hands. As a fashion designer, she would rather lose her sleep than fail to deliver.

I love her industriousness. I saw her work on her first wedding gown. I saw her numerous collaborations with other entrepreneurs. I saw her clients’ reviews and vidoes but I never knew I have not seen anything yet.

I was in conversation with her about a dress I wanted to sew at the time, but we have not reached an equilibrium on the price. The higher the quality of your skills, the higher your price is meant to be, but honestly at the time, my pocket could not pay for her services. I am sure of her craft but I did not have the funds to back it up. Let me not make this about me. Pardon my prevarication.

While I was in that conversation with her, she told me she would be relocating to Lagos. I remember she went for a training organized by Teach For Nigeria for three weeks somewhere outside Ibadan before then. She would make video content to show us how her day went on some days, and pictures on other days. It turns out she has been given a school to work in. As at the time of her placement, I am certain the school and her students were not awaree of the awesomeness in the human form that was about to hit them.

Mrs Shulammite during her training with the Teach for Nigeria scheme. Source: LinkedIn.

From her first term in the school, she began to make a long-lasting impact in the lives of her students. She incorporated 21st century teaching techniques which included teamwork and peer mentorship, different from the old way of teaching.

In fact, she was part of the inspiration behind the small project I did in my Place of Primary Assignment in 2021. I asked her for some assistance and I sensed her love for teenagers, and their growth in the tone of her voice and suggestions she made.

Mrs Shulammite’s students working together on a class project, 2022. Source: LinkedIn

When she got married in 2022, her students got her a gift! Secondary School students make such sacrifices only for teachers they love. And this love is extended to them first by the teacher in question. That is the extent of Mrs Shully’s impact.

Earlier this year, Mrs Shulammite embarked on a new project aimed at exposing her students to entrepreneurship at their Secondary School Level. While writing this part, I was tempted to use the crying emoji, to show you how delighted I am to know this woman, and the extent to which she extends herself to these children.

She started reaching out to crafts men and women, while soliciting for funds as she cannot do this alone. She put up a design and a content on Whatsapp and LinkedIn, and as it is not a content that carries a crazy touch, the algorithm does not push it forward. It is not entirely its fault, such contents get low engagements.

Did I add that she teaches at a Government Secondary School? I probably forgot to add that, my bad.

The project has been going on pretty well. The beauty of seeing fellow Nigerians turn up for something as great as this although it may seem small because the press and social media influencers do not carry it, is indescribable.

I have seen photography, hair styling, textile design, catering and pastries, and graphics design. Some of these vocational training tutors that are unable to teach in-person do so virtually at zero cost. It is so beautiful.

Mrs Shulammite is doing more exploits in less than 2 years into her career as a teacher. And the support you can give her to encourage her is visit her page, reach out to her, and if the Good Lord moves you to do so, you may contribute to this ongoing project or the future ones. The children she is grooming today will forever be grateful to God for the gift of this phenomenal woman!

Dear Mrs Shulammite, on behalf of the students in which you are sowing impactful seeds, THANK YOU!