The students, faculty and staff at the St. Croix Educational Complex High School presented a "Celebration of Life" assembly on January 16 in honor of distinguished Math Teacher, Kodzo Ekpe, who passed away on January 5, 2020.
The gathering, which was attended by Mr. Ekpe's wife, daughter and church leader, overflowed with praise for the beloved math teacher's committment to his students, stories of his childhood in Togo, West Africa, his kindness and generosity, his punctuality, and his celebrated journey in the field of education, which included teaching at the university level.
Members and officers of Complex High School National Math Honor Society read tributes and poems from students, many of whom credited Mr. Ekpe for their newly found love of mathematics.
After a long and distinguished career in school administration and instruction at schools in Monsterrat, Antigua and St. Thomas, Mr. Ekpe joined the Educational Complex High School family in 2014 as a math teacher and coordinator. He enjoyed reading, singing, gardening, and storytelling. A man of strong faith, Mr. Ekpe's heart for teaching also extended to instructing weekly Sabbath School in the Seventh Day Adventist church, of which he was a dedicated member.
Attendees were donned in African-printed attire to pay homage to Mr. Ekpe's heritage.
Highlights of the event included a dance selection from the Complex modern dance class, a rendition of "Pie Jesu" from the beginning choir, a rendition of "One Sweet Day" by science teachers, Linda James, Harold Francis and Charlene Nelson; an interprative dance from dance teacher, Essi Gaston-Edwards; and a rendition of "Amazing Grace" by Col. Eddy Charles. Math teacher, Cassandra King, gave the eulogy.
During the program's closing remarks, Principal Rodney Moorehead described Mr. Ekpe as one who "moved like an educational giant." He relayed an interaction with the legendary math teacher who requested to teach two math classes at the same time. The idea, Mr. Moorehead said of Mr. Ekpe's request, was to run between the two classes to teach students. The audience erupted in laughter, but the story was reminiscent of Mr. Ekpe's sense of humor and committment to student learning. In a moving gesture, Mr. Moorehead asked the audience to give a 30-second standing ovation in Mr. Ekpe's memory.
Kodzo Ekpe was born on August 29, 1962.
