A Great Teacher Always Inspires

Student life depends on three main factors: parents, teachers, and friends. These factors help establish the fundamental thought process in a person. A teacher can have a lifelong impact on a student-it can be either good or bad. My Algebra teacher was a special person to me. She was tall and had a witty smile. My friends referred to her as a “control freak.” She made sure we did everything exactly as she instructed, there was no other way.

I took Algebra during my first year of undergraduate studies. Every class felt tense, as though we might miss something important. We always followed her every word-both what she said and what she wrote on the board. “Always write the reasons in parentheses, or else I will deduct two marks.” This line stuck in my memory like a quotation.

Once, we had her class scheduled as the last period of the day. After waiting for 15 minutes and seeing that she hadn’t arrived, we started whispering among ourselves: if she didn’t show up, maybe we could go home. But no one dared. Leaving the classroom would be a huge mistake! Finally, we decided to leave. Just as we stepped out of the classroom, there she stood in the corridor waiting like a hungry lioness ready to snatch a fawn. She almost shouted, “Where are you guys going?” Everyone stood silent. No one said a word. But my stupid, stupid mouth said, “It was the last period, so we thought we could go home.”

Done!

It felt like thunder had struck me. “Why did I dare to say that out loud?” There was a heavy silence. I saw her furious face as she looked directly at me. She pointed her finger and said, “You wait in my office. The rest can go.”

All my friends gave me pitying looks and quietly left. I waited in the corridor for five long hours. It was getting dark. My mind was racing-How will I get home now? I was overwhelmed with fear and uncertainty. She finally came out of her office and asked, “Do you know why I made you wait here?” My eyes welled up with tears. I didn’t know why I was reacting that way, but I had to answer. I said, “I made a mistake.”

She replied, “Yes, you did. I didn’t punish you because you made a mistake. I punished you because you thought you were right in leaving the class. I wanted to stop that thought. Since you’re still an undergraduate, this will be a good lesson: before you speak up to an adult, think twice about whether you’re right or wrong.”

She was right. I never forgot that lesson.

After that day, I hated her—as any student might. Whenever I saw her in class, I remembered that moment and held onto that hatred. But a few months later, I learned that she was battling with breast cancer. I was shocked. How could someone with such a strong personality be enduring such a painful illness?

My entire perspective changed.

I started observing her differently. I learned more about her family. She never married and dedicated her life to her sister’s family. She financially supported her niece and nephew in their education.

Years later, after I completed my graduation, I returned and told her I wanted to be a part of the same university. She offered me a job as a subordinate in the department. That was the happiest day of my life-it was my first job, and I felt like I could touch the sky. Later, I enjoyed teaching alongside her at the university. Working with her gave me a chance to understand her deeply. She taught me many valuable lessons about life.

My teacher endured the pain of cancer throughout her life, yet stood like a rock. She passed away in 2009. Like me, she was an inspiration to many of my friends too.

The person I once hated most became my greatest inspiration. Strange, isn't it?

Despite the disease, she was the most disciplined, hardworking, and caring person I have known. She is my role model and the reason I became a teacher. It takes immense courage to live a life with cancer and still show up every day as a teacher. Every day, she came to college with the same witty smile and roared like a lioness in the department.

Whenever I’m feeling low or when things go wrong, I remind myself to be grateful for what I have in life: “I have good health, food on my table, and a roof over my head—why am I complaining? My troubles are far smaller compared to what my teacher went through.”

It’s true:

“Life is full of hurdles; it depends on us how we turn them into stepping stones.”