Good Never Lost: Part II: Will Dr. Gbaba's "Patricians" at St. Patrick's Support Their Prof's Legacy?

In Part One, I discussed the genesis of my teaching career at St. Patrick's High School 42 years ago. I also shared with you words of wisdom from three different elders. Sister Edina asked if I would grow if she planted me; my father Jack Gbaba advised that I treated each child with respect in my classroom as a teacher; and Archbishop Michael Kpakala Francis critiqued that standing in the classroom and teaching children how to read and write does not necessarily make you an "educator". Hence, he insisted that anyone going in the classroom must be well-trained and devoted to face the challenges of educating the youths of Liberia. Consequently, my teaching career started with a series of challenges and demands posed by influential elders in my life, which has paid off tremendously over the decades after I fulfilled their separate requests.

In 1980, I was a senior English and Literature major in the English Department in Liberia College at the University of Liberia. I was also a parttime eighth and ninth-grade SRA teacher at the prestigious St. Patrick's High School. There were two ninth-grade sections and one eighth-grade class. I was twenty-five years old when I began my teaching career at St. Patrick's. A military coup took place on April 12, 1980 that toppled the age old True Whig Party government of President William R. Tolbert, Jr. and ushered in the first indigenous Liberian named Samuel Kanyon Doe from the Krahn ethnic group as Head of State of Liberia.

On the average ninth-graders were sixteen going seventeen in Liberia back in the day unlike here in the U.S where they may be fourteen. That is because most kids in Liberia did not start school early. They were about eight or nine when they started. Besides, the educational system in Liberia back in the day was not based on "social promotion" but based on merit. Therefore, if you did not perform well academically, you were bound to repeat the class, no matter how old you were. So, on the average, I was about eight or nine years older than most of my students but it did not seem that way. I looked much younger than my actual age that it seemed my students and I were crowd of boys.

The other advantage they had over me that made it seem we were crowd of boys was that most of boys in my eighth and ninth grade classes were taller and huskier than I was and this can have a psychological impact on a young teacher in terms of commanding control and respect in the classroom. Examples were Lionel Brown, Joseph Thomas, Macon Garway, Philipbert Browne. I had to look up in their faces when disciplining or teaching them and I did so without fear or favor.

Patrician Macon Garway

Teaching as St. Patrick's brought back memories of my days at Carroll High, except that at St. Patrick's I was an instructor but not a student. During those days corporal punishment was allowed in Liberian schools. Therefore, teachers had an opportunity to discipline any child who misbehaved in class. Apart from that, St. Patrick's was a prestigious institution. The Holy Cross Brothers were very strict and they admitted students who ranked high academically in their previous schools before enrolling at St. Patrick's. Hence, most of the kids were very smart. They picked up fast and they strove for excellence in their academic work. Consequently, this was a challenge for me because I had to come prepared to teach and to exhibit mastery of my subject matter in class. Also, I was very mindful of the advice my father gave me--not to favor any child above the others. Therefore, I assured each child he had an opportunity to grow, to express himself freely but respectfully and to actively participate in class activities and it worked well for them and me.

Patricians and Plebians

Patrician Mohammed Bushuben Keita

In my class my students called me "J Gbabs" or "Gbabos"! My classes were very interactive. I was and am not one of those conventional teachers who promote rote learning. I am a constructivist educator. I facilitate the learning process of my students and they are the center of their own learning process. I actively engage them and provide scaffold whenever they need help. Therefore my instruction was individualized and sometimes I provided differentiated instruction based on each student's learning needs. In addition, most of their writing materials were about everyday life in Liberia--topics they could relate to so that helped them to think and to transfer and apply knowledge they learned in the classroom to their communities.

Furthermore, most of the learning activities were hands-on. For an example, students were required to write one-or-two-page papers on any topic of their choice. Sometimes, they were required to present a five-minute impromptu speech before their colleagues without reading from a paper. The rubrics included proper use of verb tenses, appropriate pronunciation, pluralization, posture, keeping direct contact with audience while delivering speech, and how well dressed the student was, etc. In addition, I drilled each child thoroughly to make sure they understood the subject matter inside out. And, to motivate my students, I raised the academic standard in my class and established two categories of students based on their academic prowess--Patricians and Plebians.

Patrician Anthony Church Seedee Garblah Brownell

To be in the "Patrician" (elite) category, you must maintain a grade point average of ninety-five or above and it came with some privileges like sitting in the front role in class, receiving recess money, and being enrolled in my Saturday Morning Writer's Workshop. Those below 95 were Plebians. Also, those days in a prestigious academic setting like St. Patrick's, Carroll High, St. Teresa's Convent or College of West Africa, academic competition/rivalry was encouraged. It was not the negative type of rivalry we observe today wherein you consider your rival your enemy. No, back in the day it was not like that! Instead, your rival was your best friend because he or she motivated you to excel. Hence, there was comradery and rivalry among my students that kept each child on his heel. It also kept my class glued together as one vibrant consolidated class.

Due to lapse of time, I may not remember the names of all my Patricians at St. Patrick's. However, quite a few names readily come to mind because they have shown me so much gratitude, respect, and love for what I did for them back in the day or now. Some of the Patricians I remember from my St. Patrick's class are: Lionel Brown, Philipbert Browne, Macon Garway, Alston Wolo, Lawrence Wolo, Amos Cassell, Archie Greene, Mohammed Bushuben Keita, Richard Thorpe, etc.

Saturday Morning Writer's Workshop

I do not know if Philipbert Browne ever mentioned me publicly in his controversial newspaper that he had a SRA teacher named Joe Gbaba that provided him fundamental skills in writing? I offered the lads in my class an additional opportunity to improve their writing skills if they wanted to by organizing a Saturday Morning Writer's Workshop during which we spent two hours addressing individual student's needs and weaknesses and to improve their strengths. Brother Donald thought it was a very good idea and he welcomed it with his whole heart. The students also overwhelmingly approved my suggestion to provide them extra tutorials.

Patrician Alston J. Wolo ("A1)

My SRA class met every Saturday from 10 AM to 12 noon at St. Patrick's for extra lessons in Grammar, Writing, Speech, etc. Each student had the opportunity to read his paper and it was critiqued by his colleagues. They also had debates and made impromptu speeches that were graded. Several years later I met some of my St. Patrick's students in the classroom at The University of Liberia and at Cuttington University, respectively. We still maintained our cordial relationships and rapports. Further, we have since then continued to interact as "buddies" now that they are all grown men, some married with children and grandchildren, etc.

My Plea to My Students to Support My Legacy and The Rabbi Joe Gbaba Peace and Cultural Festival in Cape Palmas, Maryland County, Republic of Liberia

An aerial view of Harper City, Maryland County, Republic of Liberia, the venue of The Rabbi Joe Gbaba Peace and Cultural Festival April 15-17, 2022

I would like to appeal to all my St. Patrick's students and those I taught in other institutions in Liberia to please support my legacy so that I may be of greater service to Liberians and all peoples of the world through my talent as a scholar and an artist. This year I am celebrating 48 years of service to the Liberian people and nation as a playwright, theatre director, actor, and custodian of Liberian history and culture. Dehkontee Artists Theatre, Inc. (DATI) is also celebrating 45 years since it was founded at the University of Liberia.

In 2019 we launched the DATI Kukatonon Peace Project in Liberia to promote peace and reconciliation through drama, music, dance, and literacy. Hence, we are highlighting our celebration with the launch of The Rabbi Joe Gbaba Peace and Cultural Festival from April 15-17, 2020 in Harper City, Maryland County, Republic of Liberia, to raise funds to renovate our offices in Harper and Paynesville, respectively.

The festival is a three-day cultural event that begins with a traditional ritual of slaughtering of a cow for the festival and one day Timothy Gardiner Peace Soccer Tournament and a cultural extravaganza at the Harper City Hall on Friday night; a cultural parade and pageantry on Saturday morning and an evening of theatre and festival dinner at the Harper City Hall Saturday night. The festival ends with a Thanksgiving Service on Sunday morning at the St. Teresa's Catholic Cathedral.

How to Donate to DATI Cultural and Educational Programs

Here are ways you can donate to Dehkontee Artists Theatre, Inc. (DATI):

1. Via Post:?Make check or money order payable to: Dehkontee Artists Theatre, Inc., P. O. Box 143, Clifton Heights, PA 19018:?

?2.?Bank Transfer Info/Zelle: You can also make payment through Dehkontee Artists

Theatre, Inc.?Wells Fargo Checking Account#3931972677;?Routing?#055003201;?

3. Cashapp: $JosephGbaba (267) 973-1709.

Conclusion

In closing it is safe to say my St. Patrick's students were the first to provide me a great teaching experience and opportunity. They were truly a blessing to me and my career as an educator. Through the motivation I received from them, I followed Archbishop Michael Kpakala Francis' advice and enrolled at St. Joseph's University School of Education where I obtained my Master's degree in Elementary and Special Education and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership. Sister Edina planted me by the rivers of water so that I would sprout and grow. Hence, I can proudly say to Sister Edia, "Thank you!" for nurturing my pedagogical inclinations. And, I maintained cordial relationships with my students as my father instructed me. So, I am good to go! I did what the old folks wanted me to and I have no regrets but to be thankful to all my students and all those who helped me to be who I am today!

Published March 10, 2022