THE TEACHER WE THOUGHT WE HATED.

Some years back, I had a class teacher named Mr. Dayo. Although he was the principal of my school, he was also actively involved in teaching. He taught Computer Studies and Civic Education, and sometimes taught Physics in the senior classes.Mr. Dayo had a genuine passion for teaching. He wasn't the kind of teacher who simply came to class, taught a topic and left. He made sure everyone was carried along. If you didn't understand, he would find a way to make you understand.But there was one thing that made many students dislike him—his discipline.His pankere (cane) was almost never far from him. 😂 He strongly believed in the saying, "Spare the rod and spoil the child." To many students, he was simply too strict.You would hear students say things like, "I just wish they would sack this man. He's doing too much!"Nobody imagined that one day, those same students would wish they could have him back.Then, unexpectedly, the news came: Mr. Dayo had passed away.The whole school became quiet.The same students who once complained about him were suddenly asking, "God, why? Why did you take him so early?"His absence was felt almost immediately. Things that students couldn't do boldly when he was around were now being done freely. The discipline he had maintained began to disappear. Other teachers tried their best, but somehow, things just weren't the same anymore.That was when many people began to understand something they had failed to appreciate while he was alive.Mr. Dayo wasn't trying to make our lives difficult. He was trying to make us better.Sometimes, the people who correct us, discipline us and refuse to let us take the easy way out may not be the people we like the most, but they may be the people who impact our lives the most.Never judge someone's love for you simply by how comfortable they make you feel.Sometimes, correction looks like hatred, discipline feels like punishment, and strictness can look like wickedness. But with time, you may realize that someone was only trying to prepare you for life.And most importantly, learn to appreciate people while they are still alive. Don't wait until their absence makes you realize the value of their presence.Some people may not be remembered because they were the most liked, but because their impact was impossible to replace.That was Mr. Dayo.

Other insights from Adepelumi

Referral Earning

Points-to-Coupons