From Dreams to Chalkboard: My Journey into Teaching

In 2008, I gained admission into Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida University, Lapai, Niger State, Nigeria to study Mass Communication. I had always loved writing and envisioned a future as a journalist, crafting compelling stories and working with a newspaper agency after graduation. I saw myself in bustling newsrooms, reporting on groundbreaking stories, and shaping narratives that could change lives.

In 2012, I was mobilized for my National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and posted to a school for my Place of Primary Assignment (PPA). Before NYSC, I had never taught before, it was an entirely new experience for me. I was assigned to teach Senior Secondary School 3 (SS3) students the English Language at Government Secondary School, Kadarko, Nasarawa State. Surprisingly, I found joy in engaging with my students, despite my initial apprehension. I discovered that teaching wasn’t just about delivering lessons; it was about inspiring minds and making a difference.

At the time, I still saw my future in journalism. I imagined my byline appearing in newspapers and magazines, telling important stories, and impacting the media industry. But life had other plans.

After NYSC, the harsh reality of job scarcity hit hard. I tirelessly searched for opportunities in the media, sending countless applications, attending interviews, and clinging to hope. Yet, rejection after rejection, my optimism began to fade. With no doors opening and bills piling up, I had no choice but to take up a teaching job, not out of passion, but out of necessity. I couldn't continue relying on my parents after graduation.

Teaching was never part of my plan; it was merely a means to an end, a temporary fix. My first salary was a meager 13,000 Naira, barely enough to cover transportation and basic needs. Each morning, as I walked into the classroom, I reminded myself that this was only temporary, it's just something to keep me afloat until I could return to my dreams. But as days turned into months, and months into years, something unexpected happened.

Over time, I grew to love teaching. It was more than just imparting knowledge; it was about making an impact. I saw it in the excitement in a child’s eyes when they finally understood a difficult topic, in the heartfelt “thank you, Ms. Faithful” from students who appreciated my efforts. Teaching, which once felt like a detour, slowly became a calling I never saw coming.

Despite my newfound love for teaching, one painful reality remains, financial struggle. Even after nearly two decades of dedication, my salary still does not meet my needs, despite my qualifications, years of experience, commitment, and the countless lives I have helped shape. The financial struggles that led me to teach have not disappeared; they have only evolved with increasing responsibilities. Life has moved forward, marriage, children, bills, medical expenses, school fees, but my earnings have never quite caught up.

My dream of pursuing a master’s degree has remained just that, a dream. Each year, I tell myself, "Maybe next year," only for unexpected financial burdens to push it further down the line. There is always something more urgent: school fees, rent, groceries, emergencies. I have lost count of the sacrifices I have made, setting aside my aspirations for the sake of my family.

Almost two decades after NYSC, I still find myself struggling financially. The world around me has changed, the media industry has evolved, and new skills are required to stay relevant. Though I never imagined being in this position so many years after graduation, I refuse to give up. I have taken solace in learning, seizing every free online professional development course I can find. While I may not have the financial means to pursue my master’s degree, I am equipping myself with knowledge, preparing for the day when opportunity finally knocks on my door.

This journey has been tough, but it has also been a lesson in resilience. I am not where I want to be, but I am still striving. I hope that someday, I will earn what I truly deserve.

To every woman feeling stuck, I see you. To every mother carrying the weight of responsibilities, I stand with you. Our dreams may be delayed, but they are not denied. We keep learning, we keep growing, and we keep believing. One day, the doors will open.