College 20th Anniversary | Lessons Learnt #Hivenaijaweekly Prompt

As a teacher, I thought that my mastery of my teaching subject was all that I needed to be a good teacher. I ensured that I prepared well enough to dish out to the learners, trust me, they always looked forward to having me in their classes. The usual approach was what I adopted so that I could have total control of the learners.

At other times, when I was the master on duty, I marshaled the assembly ground with so much authority so much so that the learners had no option but to be attentive.

Emily Ranquist

Throughout all these, I maintained a high sense of lordship over the learners. Soon, it dawned on me that I was assuming the position of a tyrant. One experience that would not leave my memory in entire being is what I am about to share with you today.

Amadi Victor (real name withheld) was from a good home. His father works with a new generation bank and his mother works as a laboratory scientist in the city general hospital but Amadi Victor was a slow learner. That is the best I can say about him. He never remembered anything you taught him. I had gotten angry with his attitude and even went ahead to say some derogatory words to him.

Every year in the college, when the session has ended, the college organizes an awards ceremony to motivate the learners. The awards are not only for the brilliant students. Other categories of awards were designed to motivate attitudes and personality.

Of all the awards, I cannot remember anyone that Amadi Victor qualified for. It was that bad. The father did not relent, however. He employed the services of an extramural tutor and paid handsomely but all to no avail.

It appeared to me that his parents were just wasting the funds they spent on his education. Left to me, I would have suggested that he be made to go learn a trade. We tried our best to bring out the potential in Amadi Victor but truth be told, nothing came out from all our efforts.

The last straw that broke the camel's back was when Amadi Victor dropped out of school when he was in his semi-final class. What transpired that led to his dropping out of school cannot be fathomed. Life continued. There were hundreds of learners whose productivity is a testimony to our advantage as teachers, depicting the fact that we were doing our jobs.

Before Amadi Victor left the college, the extramural tutor had stopped the extra lessons with him because he was not improving.

Twelve Years Later

The college was celebrating its twentieth anniversary. It was going to be a huge celebration. A lot of dignitaries were invited, ranging from philanthropists, politicians, journalists, educationists of repute, governors of industries, and best of all, the past students of the college from when it was founded. Believe me when I say it was a huge ceremony.

As one of the oldest serving teachers in the school, I looked forward to reuniting with some of the outgone students of the school who had become adults and were doing well in their different endeavors.

Toma Miroshnichenko

The hall is ready and well-decorated. The stage and lighting were superb. We got a classical master of ceremony who held the guests in serious jokes and matters of national interests. It was a beautiful time to reminisce on the humble beginning of the college.

Most of the passed-out students also used the opportunity to attend the event to reunite with their classmates and friends. It was indeed a great time for everyone.

While the event was ongoing, a good-looking, tall young man walked into the hall with some bodyguards or should I say some orderly? There was silence in the atmosphere. I didn't seem to recognize the fellow. All I knew was that some guys, all from the same set of graduated students stood to welcome the fellow. The good-looking guy who came in with so much camaraderie turned out to be the famous *block-head, Amadi Victor.

He was the biggest donor on that day of the event. Who will ever think that white pap can produced from a black pot?

I learned a lesson that day. No child should be called a dullard as everyone has a peculiar way can learning. Far more than what I experienced that day was that most of the average or weak students had become heavyweights in the careers they chose to pursue.