Meet Sameea Osiomita | Aviator, Special Ed Educator, Model

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sameea Osiomita and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sameea, what are you inspired by?
I am inspired by the kids I have taught and currently teach. I am also inspired by the women of my family. The independence and bravery my family shows has always motivated me to keep going. First, my students inspire me because they help me see the world as a place that just needs love and so much giving back. I’ve grown to like being the “underdog”. I want to be the one pushing others forward and helping them see their own potential. I also have many connections to different career paths, such as, aviation, modeling, acting, photography/videography. My family inspires me to remain that independent woman who can take care of her own, hustle and have my own. But staying humble through this all is my biggest motto.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I come from a single parent home and I began my college career picking a school, Quincy University, that was affordable for my mom. I stayed off campus with a family member to help lower costs. I majored in Elementary Education with no intentions of actually becoming a teacher. But that all changed when I realized that I had to make some logical decisions of changing my career path to ensure that I’d make good money in the end. That’s where I was wrong, but right at the same time. I ended up transferring to Lewis University majoring in Air Traffic Control Management. I made this huge decision with no prior knowledge of aviation or even what air traffic was. I was completely clueless. I started at Lewis my second semester of sophomore year and I struggled. I struggled so hard with these classes, but I was also very hard on myself because I felt like the information was something I should have known. But what I should have done was be patient with myself because I was new to this, not true to it. I remember going to the Organization of Black Aviation Professionals Conference in L.A. I met so many important people; black pilots, air traffic controllers, aviation maintenance technicians, etc. But I had a huge mental breakdown (profusely crying) with no end, but it was in that moment that I realized aviation is not my passion, at all. In fact, I kind of hated aviation. For so long I was trying to force myself to believe that aviation was for me and my passion all because I had made that logical decision to leave Quincy for Lewis. A year ago I ended up getting a job on the Southside of Chicago at an elementary school as a Special Ed Assistant and there is when I realized that teaching is my actual passion. But what I also realized was that I had a passion for teaching in low income areas where there are so many black children who are just left so far behind academically, emotionally, and mentally. Segregation is so real in Chicago, it’s sad because the needed resources in these schools are pretty much obsolete and nonexistent. So little did I know, I found my way back to education, but now with a Bachelors in Air Traffic Management with a Masters in Aviation Transportation. I will always have aviation as my background, but I did what I had to do so I could now do what I want to do.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would put a museum for everyday to start out our day and each day will have one of these activities added: Navy Pier, Punchbowl Social, a Winery, Vintage store shopping, Thrift store shopping, Bowling and drinking, Chinatown (we would end our days here trying a new restaurant each time), and Hyde Park for a nice walk to my favorite record store. The movies will be added to list also, depending what’s out at the time. I would also add a Sofar (little intimate music rooms) concert in the mix to show them Chicago artists. I would also take them to a breakdance party and a underground car race (the secrets of Chicago). There is so much I would do with my best friend.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Alpha Eta Rho Aviation Fraternity Akile Dean
As-Sita Bamba
Lauren Davis
Kia Dean
CJ Cunningham

Instagram: osio_mita

Facebook: Sameea Osiomita