Teacher of the Month at Hasken Rayuwa Foundation: Meet Victoria Stephen Timothy...
We celebrate doctors, engineers, and others lucrative professions, but we down look the profession that created them. The teaching career has long been painted as an unrewarding, low-paying job that is restricted to the four walls of a building.
Growing up, I often heard the same expression in school and at home. ‘I don’t want to become a teacher.’ Yet, I often wonder how we arrived at a point where the core builders of every other profession; Doctors, engineers, and lawyers, are treated as low commodities.
Teachers are the bedrock of human progress. Why do we despise the very people who lay the foundation for our growth.It’s nothing new that some people choose teaching as a job, for lack of better opportunities as they put it, but for others it’s an answer to a call.
Meet Miss Victoria Stephen Timothy, teaching was a calling she could no longer ignore. After exploring other paths, she found her true peace and fulfilment in the classroom. “ I became a teacher because I realized teaching is a calling I could no longer ignore. I explored other paths, but nothing gave me the sense of fulfilment and peace I experience in the classroom” she shares.
Today, Victoria serves in her fourth year under our Organisation at Hasken Rayuwa Foundation, working in the Education Department where she teaches English Language and Christian Religious Knowledge (CRK), at Government Secondary school Rijau, Niger State. What drives a teacher to keep going every day? For Victoria, the reward is in the moment of connection. “What I enjoy most about teaching is seeing students understand what has been taught,” she says. “When I ask questions and they respond correctly, it reassures me that the lesson has truly impacted them.” What inspires her to keep serving in this field is the large number of children in public schools with low access to proper education. “What inspires me to keep serving is the large number of children in public schools who do not have access to quality education”.
Driven by a desire to make a positive difference, she hopes to inspire her students to see education as a valuable tool that can transform their future and open doors of opportunity.
One of her most memorable success stories involves supporting a young girl through a trauma healing journey. Seeing the student recover, grow stronger, and successfully relocate to the western part of the country brought immense fulfilment.
Victoria also began mentoring young girls through puberty and personal development, noting that “what makes it especially meaningful to me is the opportunity to pray with and for them during these sessions”. She supports struggling students financially.” This year, I took the responsibility of sponsoring an indigent child who could not afford schooling”. Beyond financial support, I also encourage and pray for such students.
Discipleship as one of the core purpose of our Foundation has helped Miss Victoria see the children from a different view. She shares, “ Discipleship has helped me see my students beyond academics. It has made me more sensitive to their emotional and spiritual struggles, allowing me to support them through prayer, encouragement, and guidance. And this has enabled her, to lead Six Children to Christ.
One challenge I have overcome is gaining confidence in teaching CRK openly and effectively,” Victoria reflects. “Over time, I have grown more confident and comfortable in delivering the subject. Victoria’s dive for teaching is strongly rooter in her Faith.” Mission work has shaped my life by teaching me patience and compassion. It has also deepened my understanding that being in Christ is the greatest gift I have received”.
For Victoria, what makes her teaching approach unique is her ability to build friendly and approachable relationships with students while still maintaining healthy boundaries and discipline. The most important lesson she wants them to remember is the value of obedience, discipline, and making wise decisions in life.
A Brief Biography about Victoria Stephen
Victoria Stephen is a 31-year-old educator and volunteer teacher from Nigeria. She is the first child in her family and is currently single. By November 2026, she will turn 32. She volunteers with Hasken Rayuwa Afrika at Government Secondary School Rijau in Rijau Local Government Area, Niger State. Teaching is one of her greatest passions, and she finds joy in the way her students cheer whenever she enters the classroom.
Victoria loves reading Christian literature, with ‘Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus’ by Nabeel Qureshi being one of her favorites. Her favorite Bible verses are Luke 10:19 “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions…” and Isaiah 43:1b “I have called you by name; you are Mine.” Her hobbies include watching movies and catching up with friends. She used to play volleyball but stopped after wrist surgery, so now she enjoys the game from the sidelines. Her advice for young learners is simple: “Never leave school, even when it gets hard”.
Let’s celebrate, Miss Victoria as our Teacher of the Month, for her incredible contributions towards the academical, mental, and spiritual growth of children in Public Schools, through her unique way of teaching.
You can support Teachers with the necessary materials they need to serve our children well. With just a weekly donation of as low as 2$, sent here:
ACCOUNT NUMBER: 1016475161
ACCOUNT NAME: Hasken Rayuwa Afrika Ministry (HUMANITARIAN ACCOUNT)
BANK NAME: Zenith Bank PLC
USD ACCOUNT NUMBER:5070985611
ACCOUNT NAME: Hasken Rayuwa Afrika Ministry
BANK NAME: Zenith Bank PLC
