“Dead” is the word none of us wants to articulate in the same sentence with a loved one’s name. Because it gives us the feeling that they are gone and we will never see or feel them. Yet our loved ones, especially those who have inspired, motivated, and lifted us, stay forever. They stay in our heart, memories, actions and above all, in the ways they shaped us. This is especially true for one of the greatest humans who changed thousands of lives, Dr. Moussa Sissoko.
A passionate teacher by many lovers
My first time hearing about Dr. Sissoko was from an American Peace Corps volunteer. When I told her I didn’t know him, she was so surprised, baffled, and disappointed that her eyes widened. I felt ashamed that I did not know him. She praised him and told me how smart and knowledgeable Dr. Moussa is! Her admiration and respect for him made me eager to meet him. So I aspired and was desperate to know him, and I made a wish. Three years later, on the first day of my Master’s classes in 2013 at the teachers’ training college, I would finally meet the Great Dr. Sissoko.
On the first day of our class, I understood why so many admired and respected him. And I will end up venerating him. My love for him was instant. And through our interaction, I knew he loved me deeply. How did I know? Well, from a teacher, he will become my mentor, my advisor, my guide, but above all, he will be my friend. I fell in love with him not only for his intellect, his knowledge, but also for his humility and kindness. For the twelve short years I have been blessed to have him in my life, I have never seen him without a smile and a calm demeanour.
The beacon we all needed and should always hold
We tended to call teachers by the subject they taught; in his case, it would have been American studies. But I don’t know why and how no one called him that. He has always been Dr. Sissoko for any student who knew him, and Dr. Moussa for his colleagues. For me, he was always “sir”, and he would always sign his text messages with “your sir”. He and I had both understood that this, instead of a sign of respect or courtesy, was a sign of adoration, admiration and respect for his intellect, his whole being, and above all, my deepest love for him.
Today, I do not cry my “sir” but I celebrate his beautiful life by sharing his lessons I will always pray to live by, because not doing it is betraying him.
Knowledge embalmed with patience and humility
The master’s and PhD degrees he held were not proof of his knowledge but rather credentials. In his classes, you could easily see that he had mastered his topic and could give you a valid analysis of American society and ways of life. Yet, he was open to students’ critical thinking, debates, and contributions. He was the teacher who spent more than 90% of his teaching time facing students and discussing instead of “teaching”. Most notably, after the first couple of classes, Dr. Sissoko would let the students take over the class. We would conduct research and present to our mates, and he would only intervene to correct some information.
Despite living far from the school and in a traffic-jammed part of the city, Dr. Sissoko would be at school before most of us. Being on time was many of his qualities. In class, his poise and articulate knowledge transmission would absorb our whole being and make us even more eager to listen. He was the teacher whose class you didn’t want to end. This is testified by the fact that many of his students will end up pursuing the same academic path as his, including PhDs.
When we created the English Practice Club, my friends and I immediately thought of him as the godfather. He will dedicate and, above all, lovingly fulfil this role for six years. This allowed me to spend more time and learn from my beloved friend. From the few years I have known him and interacted with him, he has become a beacon of light, and would even play a crucial role in my personal life. He was the first person I reached out to when I went through a severe episode of depression. He would spend hours listening to me and would just occasionally give his encouragement, always smile, and laugh when needed. His soothing laughter when we encountered always made me make jokes just to hear him laugh.
Today, I did not just lose the chance of holding his hands, seeing his genuine laugh and smile, but also the light in his eyes that testified to his love for me. From today on, I will remember and feel deep in my heart the warmth of a human who was self-giving and very kind.
This is my tribute to a great friend, my “sir” who left me, but is not gone.