At the grand Eagle’s Square in Abuja during the 2023 World Teachers’ Day held on Thursday, 5th October, 2023, Ago-Iwoye born Kayode Adewale was honored as the 3rd Best Public School Teacher in Nigeria. This remarkable achievement took place while Kayode was in the United States participating in the Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievements Program alongside 240 educators from around the world. This prestigious program, generously funded by the U.S. Government and expertly administered by IREX, aims to foster mutual understanding among educators worldwide, promote best practices in education, and strengthen leadership in the field.
Kayode Adewale stands as a dedicated educator with a mission to revolutionize education in Nigeria using 21st-century teaching methodologies. His mission aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal of providing quality education to all, regardless of their background or location. Kayode firmly believes that every child deserves an inclusive and equitable education.
In pursuit of enriching his students’ learning experiences, Kayode integrates modern teaching tools, including video content and other 21st-century skills, into his pedagogy. One notable initiative is his creation of instructional videos that teach mathematics in the Ijebu dialect, addressing linguistic diversity in his classroom.
Kayode’s commitment to education has earned him recognition on a global scale. He was selected as a Global PhET Translator, part of an exclusive group responsible for translating simulations into Nigerian languages—a testament to his expertise and contributions to educational advancement in Nigeria.
Throughout his career, Kayode has received over 20 commendations and appreciation letters from various organizations, subject teachers’ associations, unions, and government agencies. His advocacy for 21st-century teaching practices has garnered numerous awards, including the 2023 Champion for Innovative Change Award in Teaching Mathematics by The Mathematical Association of Nigeria, Ogun State. He was also named the 2022 Ogun State Champion and Top 10 finalist of the Maltina Teacher of the Year award.
Kayode’s accomplishments extend beyond awards. He has facilitated nearly twenty programs at local and international levels and participated in over 15 local and international projects. His contributions as the Ogun State virtual learning Teacher for video content creation at Ogun Television (OGTV) and his involvement in the Ogun State Teachers’ Digital Resource Cloud Project are just a few examples.
As a Go-Ga Master Trainer, Kayode has created over 20 Inquiry Learning Spaces (ILS). He excels in using Microsoft Teams for classroom engagement and is adept at research design and program evaluation. His well-researched papers, accessible to more than 10,000 readers on ResearchGate, reflect his commitment to advancing education.
Outside of education, Kayode enjoys playing football and using the internet to explore various facets of humanity. He maintains an active YouTube channel with close to 1,000 subscribers and over 30,000 views, where he shares knowledge on mathematics and teacher development programs. His Facebook page is another platform where he contributes to the teaching of mathematics and virtual instructional engagement for teachers’ professional development.
In summary, Kayode Adewale is not only the 3rd Best Public School Teacher in Nigeria but also a dedicated, innovative, and influential educator committed to making a positive impact on education in Nigeria and beyond. His journey is an inspiration to teachers and learners alike.
