Paul Ochen, Grade 11
UWCEA (Arusha)
With a superbly shaved beard, an appealing pompadour haircut, and a Tuko Pamoja t-shirt, Mr. Olivier Emond was the first thing that caught my eye when I arrived at UWC East Africa for the first quarter of D1. A residential parent and member of the D1 orientation team, Mr. Olivier amicably welcomed me to the stunning green and coffee-coloured campus. After only a few days of knowing him, he became my favourite teacher for his irresistible charisma and invaluable advice he gave us on what to expect from the IB. Things could not get any better when I learnt that he would be my teacher of French, a reason I perked up for the opening of regular school the following week.
Through my first semester at UWC, I have created many fond memories with Mr. Olivier. I vividly recall walking up to my residential house on my birthday, exhausted from an IB day’s daunting assignments, and being treated to a surprise birthday party in the common area. Mr. Olivier was behind this diverting surprise, and he had gathered most of my friends to sing and celebrate with me as I turned 18. How delightful of a teacher, I thought. The annual school play is another affectionate memory I share with Mr. Olivier. Playing the role of Ned Schneebly in the School of Rock, I learned my character roles under Mr. Olivier’s lead, and I gained a knowledge of a lot more about compelling body language and exceptional oral expression from his training. And when I was awfully ill with a running stomach and aching head, Mr. Olivier compassionately stood by my side. Whilst I could not attend school that terrible day, he sped to Aga Khan University Hospital and got me the required medication. Not only that - when my school was closing because of the onslaught of COVID-19, and I was stranded at the Namanga border as I tried to cross from Tanzania into Kenya, Mr. Olivier immediately came to my rescue. During midnight hours, he picked up my call and sent a school driver to get me and return me to school. He is indubitably a hero.
Reflecting on the interactions I have had with Mr. Olivier, I have learned more than just French idioms and verb conjugation from him. His unparalleled commitment to his work and to making a most conducive learning environment for his students taught me the value of determination in my quest for success in my studies. His industriousness has also had a long-standing impact on me; I have learned to assiduously finish my class assignments and promptly meet my deadlines.
Mr. Olivier’s compassion and fearlessness have made me discover incredible qualities about myself - I have realized that I, too, can be just as bold and tender-hearted as I relate with my peers. Picking a leaf from his resilience, I realized that I could resolutely stand my ground through all the hardships that the IB throws at me: IAs, EE, not to mention CAS. These insightful realizations about myself have had a long-term impact on my day-to-day approach to school work, and I will definitely carry on with them to college.
The impact Mr. Olivier has had on me transcends discoveries about my personality or possibly life-changing habits; he has conceivably shaped my life journey. I dream of growing up to inspire my circle of friends and the wider community through my profession. Contrary to Mr. Olivier’s profession as a teacher, I aspire to become a computer scientist, developing groundbreaking software that will meet 21st century needs of people all around the world, and especially inspiring African youth like me to follow suit.
With such values as compassion and service, and personal responsibility and integrity, the UWC community demands a complete and accurate understanding of its values. Mr. Olivier has been, to me, the paragon of a UWC character, for his incomparable compassion toward his students and his remarkable personal dedication to his work. He has also widened my understanding of community and UWC in that regard, through his consideration of interculturalism, and his celebration of difference in the widely diversified community at my school. And needless to say, he has risen to be an inspiration to my peers too, as he has arguably been the duct tape that has kept the UWC community at my school united, even during the taxing days of the pandemic. Mr. Olivier is more than just a teacher; he is a role model for many.
Through my first semester at UWC, I have created many fond memories with Mr. Olivier. I vividly recall walking up to my residential house on my birthday, exhausted from an IB day’s daunting assignments, and being treated to a surprise birthday party in the common area. Mr. Olivier was behind this diverting surprise, and he had gathered most of my friends to sing and celebrate with me as I turned 18. How delightful of a teacher, I thought. The annual school play is another affectionate memory I share with Mr. Olivier. Playing the role of Ned Schneebly in the School of Rock, I learned my character roles under Mr. Olivier’s lead, and I gained a knowledge of a lot more about compelling body language and exceptional oral expression from his training. And when I was awfully ill with a running stomach and aching head, Mr. Olivier compassionately stood by my side. Whilst I could not attend school that terrible day, he sped to Aga Khan University Hospital and got me the required medication. Not only that - when my school was closing because of the onslaught of COVID-19, and I was stranded at the Namanga border as I tried to cross from Tanzania into Kenya, Mr. Olivier immediately came to my rescue. During midnight hours, he picked up my call and sent a school driver to get me and return me to school. He is indubitably a hero.
Reflecting on the interactions I have had with Mr. Olivier, I have learned more than just French idioms and verb conjugation from him. His unparalleled commitment to his work and to making a most conducive learning environment for his students taught me the value of determination in my quest for success in my studies. His industriousness has also had a long-standing impact on me; I have learned to assiduously finish my class assignments and promptly meet my deadlines.
Mr. Olivier’s compassion and fearlessness have made me discover incredible qualities about myself - I have realized that I, too, can be just as bold and tender-hearted as I relate with my peers. Picking a leaf from his resilience, I realized that I could resolutely stand my ground through all the hardships that the IB throws at me: IAs, EE, not to mention CAS. These insightful realizations about myself have had a long-term impact on my day-to-day approach to school work, and I will definitely carry on with them to college.
The impact Mr. Olivier has had on me transcends discoveries about my personality or possibly life-changing habits; he has conceivably shaped my life journey. I dream of growing up to inspire my circle of friends and the wider community through my profession. Contrary to Mr. Olivier’s profession as a teacher, I aspire to become a computer scientist, developing groundbreaking software that will meet 21st century needs of people all around the world, and especially inspiring African youth like me to follow suit.
With such values as compassion and service, and personal responsibility and integrity, the UWC community demands a complete and accurate understanding of its values. Mr. Olivier has been, to me, the paragon of a UWC character, for his incomparable compassion toward his students and his remarkable personal dedication to his work. He has also widened my understanding of community and UWC in that regard, through his consideration of interculturalism, and his celebration of difference in the widely diversified community at my school. And needless to say, he has risen to be an inspiration to my peers too, as he has arguably been the duct tape that has kept the UWC community at my school united, even during the taxing days of the pandemic. Mr. Olivier is more than just a teacher; he is a role model for many.
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