-Bruce Almighty

by Maxine Touze

I joined Mr. Abioseh Bruce in his classroom during second period while he was doing his crossword puzzle in The Virgin Islands Daily News paper. His classroom was cool, calm, and mellow, and all the students were seated doing their work while I sat at his desk while he got comfortable.

Mr. Bruce is a Rastafarian who is agile, tall, thin, with brown smooth skin and with curly locks. He has perfectly sharp fangs, an Egyptian nose, and a head is shaped like a grapefruit. He wears a nose ring, earrings on both sides, and a jade pendent.

Abioseh Bruce is 42 years old. Born in Queens, New York, he lives on both St. John and St. Thomas. He goes back and forth only to St. Thomas to work and to enjoy himself at his leisure time.

His favorite color is purple, but he doesn't wear it ; he does love to see attractive women wearing his favorite color. His favorite food is conch soup.

He enjoys playing basketball and playing pool and also spending time with his children, Jahbioseh, Lion’Ess, and Jah-haile Bruce. He loves his children very much and always takes his parenting seriously. He has two sisters and a brother that go by the names of Dawn, Adepeju, and Bosede Bruce. His parents are Martha and Edward “Eddie” Bruce. His father taught school for many years on St. John and is a well known drummer.

Mr. Abioseh Bruce’s long term goal is to “Live in the hills, and give burnt offerings to the Lord,” he said with a serious look and a calm voice. Mr. Bruce’s short term goal is to “Live one day at a time,” he added.

“I am the man with the plan, and it usually works,” he said, smiling and while pointing to himself.

“The best thing that happened to me was, on my eleventh birthday, I wrote a letter saying that I would become a math teacher, and it happened to be so.”

His religion is Rastafarian and his spiritual leader is Rastafari Haile Selassie. His views on life are to “Do unto others as you want them to do unto you, and just be real.”

Mr. Bruce doesn’t own any pets at all. I think it’s because he isn’t a fan of pets, and he enjoys traveling. Mr. Bruce has traveled the entire East Coast and Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan.

When I asked if he enjoys teaching, he said, “I love it!” In Mr. Bruce’s earlier years he attended Guy Benjamin Elementary School, Montessori School and Julius E. Sprauve School. Mr. Bruce graduated number 11 in his class (1988) from I.E.K.H.S., and he graduated from U.V.I. in (1997). He got his Associate’s degree in accounting and his Bachelor’s degree in math and education.

Mr. Bruce has been working at I.E.K.H.S. since April 19, 2006. His career anniversary was a month ago. It’s great to still have a wonderful math teacher like him. He can be a great role model for young males of this generation by influencing them to finish school like he did. What’s important to Mr. Bruce is teaching the youths the right way to lead the next generations.

He gives the best advice. His advice for young girls who are being overpowered by boys is to “Just say No and call the police.”

Mr. Bruce’s favorite quote is, “Live the life you love, and love the life you live, and forget the rest and be blessed.” When Mr. Bruce said this, it made me feel inspired. You shouldn't stress over something or someone, and most importantly live your life to the fullest because life out here is way too short.

In closing, Mr .Bruce is admired by many, and the students are quite fond of him and his jokes.