From Moraikobai to Mathematical heights: Leon Patoir is 1st in his family to graduate from UG

Hailing from Moraikobai – an Amerindian village located in Region Five, Leon Patoir is the first in his family to graduate from the University of Guyana (UG).

Patoir, who is considered the ‘baby’ among five siblings, recalled the simple yet memorable moments in his childhood in Moraikobai Village.

My life there was simple and memorable as I looked back and reminisced on my childhood days going to school and playing outdoor games with my cousins and being under Aunty Julie’s mango tree most afternoons. Those were the best days I remember vividly.

LOVE FOR ACADEMICS

His love for academics was sparked when he was promoted to Primary One from Prep B despite only being able to write tests for four core subjects: Mathematics, Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies.

My teacher, then Miss Menorva Andries, had given me the opportunity to move over to the next class. I never asked her why, but I believe it’s because she knew I had the potential to succeed academically. I also remembered my friends in primary school, Wasim Jorden, Louis Abrams, Julius Calistro, and I were all placed 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th- we dominated the class all boys. From then on, I always tried my best to attend school regularly and on time. But all never goes according to plan and expectations.

Despite facing challenges such as limited resources and parental constraints, the now 30-year-old persisted.

My struggle to be equipped and attend school regularly, is because of my parents, their means of income, and a place to leave us to attend school when they have to go to the backdam or travel to the coast and not have reading books, were some of the challenges I faced while attending primary school, the St. Francis Primary school, now Maraikobai Primary School.

 

He took the Secondary School Entrance Examination (SSEE) and earned a spot at the Mahaicony Secondary School – the top school in the region at that time.

My dad, Elvis Patoir, registered me, but my mom, Mariea Adrian Patoir, took me to the school’s orientation. It was their blessings and abundance of support that saw me through my academic success from then until now. They have always been there to support me, never said no to helping me and encouraging me to study. As they may say, ‘he gets the brains to do that, and we will support.’ Thank you, Mom and Dad.

What motivated me the most, though, to study and pass my exams. Is knowing the fact that if I do not, I will fail and will have to go back home and work hard like my dad and brothers, and that is something I do not want to experience.

PASSION FOR MATHEMATICS: A LIFELONG AFFAIR

Leon’s love for mathematics germinated in childhood, evident in his solitary play with toys, mental calculations, and self-imposed challenges.

My love for Mathematics began ever since I was a little boy playing most times by myself with my little toys and doing calculations, mentally or sometimes written. I will roll my dice, record the numbers, and then add them. I would have learned my tables by singing and counting my jumps on skipping ropes and time my running, calculating my speed, and then comparing them to see my improvement rate of change and ensure my change are correct when I used to buy things for my relatives at the small shops in the village. And doing well in Mathematics at schools.

This affinity for numbers propelled Leon to earn an outstanding Grade One in Mathematics at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination, with eight other passes.

He has an Associate in Education Secondary (Mathematics) from the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE).

In 2021, Leon pursued an Associate of Science (Mathematics) at the University of Guyana (UG) and has since graduated.

I chose mathematics because I found it challenging, and it is the science of all sciences. Mathematics involves everyday living – living and nonliving organisms, how they worked, their physical makeup, their capacity and space, and even their time of survival.

SHAPING MINDS AND INSPIRING FUTURES

Currently a Mathematics teacher at Stewartville Secondary School on the West Coast of Demerara (WCD), Leon has been teaching for over nine years. His aspiration extends beyond the classroom – he aims to inspire others to become respectable members of society.

With two Associate Degrees under his belt, this teacher’s next goal is a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics at the University of Guyana.

FIRST IN THE FAMILY TO GRADUATE

Acknowledging the support of family, friends, and educators, this 30-year-old teacher beams with pride as the first in his family to graduate from the University of Guyana.

I credit my success to my parents, sisters, nieces, and nephews, and cousin Tearon Adrian, my lecturers who have made the contents available and on time for lecturing, and most importantly the almighty for making all things possible, from a mood of no, you will not make it to a mood you have made it.

As he advises aspiring mathematicians, Leon underscores the importance of patience, dedication, and self-belief.

My advice to anyone who would want to pursue mathematics at a higher level is to ensure you have the patience to work on something that may seem difficult at first but eventually becomes easier with being consistent and dedicated and believing in yourself when no one else does. You are the shaper of your destiny. Only you can do it. And once you show that courage, there are others around who will support you and encourage you. There will be challenges, but be a fighter and never give up. Victory is sure once you believe. Mathematics will not only prepare you academically, but it will also help you live a more meaningful life by being able to think critically and analytically and find solutions and alternatives for a situation that arises out of everyday living. We live mathematics every day.