LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Adesina Adeyinka was nominated by his friend, Laura Bella.

Mr. Adeyinka started his teaching career as a middle school teacher, working with young teenagers in sixth grade. These students were facing a variety of challenges, from home life troubles to academic struggles. Mr. Adeyinka wanted to know and understand why so many of his students were struggling academically and having behavior issues at the same time. After two years of interviewing several students, he found out that some of them came from dysfunctional homes that had at least one parent either incarcerated or divorced. Many of his students lacked a strong academic foundation or had gaps in their academic lives.

At that point, Mr. Adeyinka decided to move back to elementary school with the intention of establishing an academic foundation for students at that grade level. He believed his role as an educator was to empower his students to continue in their academic lives. He never gave up on his students, regardless of their level, behavior or background. Mr. Adeyinka had the humility and ability to apologize to any of his students if any of them ever felt he was unfair or unjust to any of them.

One of his core values as a teacher was punctuality. He was never late to school because being there earlier for his students was the beginning of building much-needed structure in their lives. That dedication gave Mr. Adeyinka numerous opportunities to build priceless relationships with each of his students, which made a huge difference and quite an impact throughout his career. He knew that no matter what they were facing outside of school, he could stand as positive role model for each student in the classroom and in that community.

Besides empowering students in the classroom, he also mentored them in other activities. Mr. Adeyinka was a Math-a-thon Coach for his grade level for many years, as well as a Science Coach. Within his teaching career, his team won 1st place in the Math-a-thon and 1st place in science. When summer school programs were not offered at his school, he went above and beyond to seek other volunteer positions in the district at any school he could.

"It has been such a blessing for Adesina to have touched so many of our students' lives to the degree that many of his former students often come to visit him," said Bella. "I've witnessed them praising him to show their gratitude and appreciation for how he mentored and lifted them up at a time in their lives when they truly needed it. They may not have received this inspiration from anyone or anywhere else. I am blessed to have a friend like Adesina who has left a true legacy towards our youth and our next generation of leaders."