In celebration of World Teachers’ Day yesterday, October 5th, 2025, we’re shining a spotlight on the people whose impact often goes beyond the classroom, teachers and educators.
We spoke with Harry Godfrey, the co-founder of The Degree Gap, an educational consulting firm in the UK, and Ololade Mary Light Wycliffe, a dedicated teacher with nine years of experience who currently manages Wycliffe International School, founded by her mother in 2022.
Both Harry and Ololade share heartfelt reflections on the teaching profession, from its everyday challenges to its deeply transformative impact on students and communities. Their stories remind us that while teaching may often be underrated, its influence is undeniable.
1. Can you start by introducing yourselves?
H: My name is Harry and I’m the co-founder of The Degree Gap in the UK. I provide a lot of support online across the world in terms of teaching, working directly with schools to assist students in getting into the University and in getting the grades they want.
O: I’m Ololade Mary Light Wycliffe, a beautiful dedicated teacher with 9 years of experience, passionate about creating engaging hands-on approaches that complement traditional teaching methods, helping my students develop essential skills like reading, writing, and self-expression. I’ve had the privilege of teaching many kids to become confident, bold, and courageous individuals who thrive academically and know and love the Word of God. I manage Wycliffe International School, which was founded by my mum in 2022. I’ve gained valuable experience in leadership, management and empathy.
I’m happy about the possibility of going on missions to other countries to provide educational opportunities for kids who lack access to quality education. I’m committed to continuing to grow as a teacher and using my experience to make a difference in the world, one kid at a time.
2. Harry, you mentioned you came from a background of teachers.
H: My mum is a teacher. She’s an English teacher actually. She inspired me to go into education. I went to the London school of Economics to do Economics, which is a very good University. After that, I went out of education but got pulled back immediately mainly because of all the amazing impact you can make in education. Well, I’m not exactly a teacher. I’m someone who supports teachers a lot and we do a lot of support in schools with teachers. So yeah, my aunties, my uncles, my families are all teachers, so they inspired me to set the company up.
3. What’s one of the most rewarding moments you’ve had working with teachers or students?
H: The biggest moment is when they get their result and see that they can get results they never dreamed of. People come to our company, wanting passes and then they come and get massively over that, get good grades and you know getting good grades opens doors you could never have before and I think teachers enable that.
O: Most rewarding moments with the pupils is when they finally grasp their lessons and express them. For the teachers is when they bring in new ideas, when they are open to learning and when they heed to corrections.
4. Ololade, can you share a challenge you faced in education that shaped how you see the role of teachers today?
O: One significant challenge is the varying learning styles and abilities of students. This can make it difficult for teachers to engage all students effectively.
5. Was there a teacher in your own life who had a profound impact on you? What did you learn from them?
H: When I was younger, I had a maths teacher who really inspired me to aim big. I don’t think without that support, I’d be where I am now, running this business. He really taught me perseverance, resilience and confidence.
O: My mum. Before school resumes, she’d have gone to school to get our textbooks and explain the lessons beforehand. So, my siblings and I just go into school fully prepared. One more thing was her patience… She’d stop until she’s sure you’ve gotten it. So, I learnt resilience from her and I inculcate it as a teacher now. I go all the way for my kids, all the way! I do more of personalised teachings… using different approaches to suit each kid. Some kids learn on my table(one-on-one) while some go with the crowd.
6. In your experience, what are some small but powerful things teachers do every day that often go unnoticed?
H: The idea that teachers are also a mentor go unnoticed. That’s an important factor.
O: Showing up everyday, Irrespective. I show up even when I’m emotionally or mentally uncomfortable. I got a heartbreak this year and I still showed up for my kids. I was losing weight and I still showed up. Learning had to go on. Generations lie on my shoulder. I just gave my pain to Jesus!
Playing a mother role. Giving Teddy bear hugs. I have a heart-to-heart connection with all of my kids. I feel everything they feel. How they feel affects me. Playing the friend role and comforter role (hashtag; Holy Spirit😂) Wearing a big smile daily. Because your mood affects the learner’s mood and the learning environment.
7. Harry, have you ever witnessed a moment where a teacher’s effort completely changed the trajectory of a student’s life?
H: My maths teacher. He taught me how to think differently about learning. So it’s less of a chore but more of exploring. This is what we’re teaching our children to start exploring their interests and keep going with that because when you have an interest in something, it’s so powerful how much you can learn.
8. Do you believe teaching is seen as a low-income or underrated profession? How do you think this perception affects teachers?
O: Hmmmmm… Teacher’s aren’t underpaid though. If a school’s tuition for their nursery school is 20,000 per term, you don’t expect the school to pay 150,000 to their teachers. These are factors that affects Teacher’s take-home(salaries)
As of now, teachers now teach online, do extra-lessons, content creation et al and they make cool cash. So, the story is evolving. We have teachers that are living fine with what they earn.
If teachers don’t add more value to themselves, they’d be underpaid and underrated. So, to people that underestimate and underrate the teaching profession, the story is evolving. Teachers are emerging with full force.
9. Harry, what would you say is the reality of teaching now since you work with lots of teachers.
H: They face a lot of challenges trying to meet up with different teaching styles. A teacher once told me he had to leave teaching because of the struggle with juggling different learning styles and there is a lot of pressure to get grades too.
10. Harry, how does your team at The Degree Gap help amplify or support the work of teachers?
H: We compliment them and support a lot of teachers because most of them get stressed out with teaching works, so we are a real lifeline for teachers who like to actually have a whole hour of teaching and see the impact. And for students, we can offer extra support.
11. What are some of the biggest pressures and challenges teachers face that people outside the profession may not realize?
O: Some of the challenges and pressures are:
Teachers work long hours, including weekends and evenings to prepare lessons, grade assignments and provide feedback.
Teachers may feel pressure from parents and administrators to meet certain expectations, which can sometimes be unrealistic. As regards this ehn, there’s a whole lot to say.
Due to the emotional demands of the job, we experience compassion fatigue, burnout and stress. PS: Every hour, I step out to breathe. You know these breathing in and out things, right? I will do it! There are more, but I’d just give these!
12 .Why do you think so many teachers leave the profession despite their passion?
O:
- Feeling undervalued and unappreciated by society or administrators. They make policies that’s not in the Teacher’s favour. Yesterday was Teacher’s Day and today was supposed to be declared a public holiday for teachers to take themselves out or throw a party to honour teachers. I barely see these things.
- Limited career advancement opportunities: allow me cite this example for you. We have two young graduates, one studied medicine and the other studied education and they both got jobs immediately… In the next 5 years, the Doctor would have climbed up his career ladder because the hospital would hone him to opportunities, send him for various international training and boom they are living big. How much more an individual that shapes the future generation. Their salaries might not even move, they’d just be stagnant and frustrated. So, they just leave the classroom and switch career to tech (Most popular option now)
For me, teaching was a calling, I got called into it, it wasn’t something I wanted. I want to fight crimes and blow bubbles—in Henry Dancer’s voice. I actually wanted to be a soldier and a diplomat. A beautiful and smart diplomat😁 . So to cut the long story short, it’s only God that can stop me from teaching. I’m a teacher In the classroom, Children Sunday school at my church, I do fellowship with kids every Saturday. I was called to do them. Teaching isn’t really my passion, so I’d only leave if the One that called me into it stops me. I’m now so passionate that I want to go on missions to countries where their kids haven’t experienced the four walls of the classroom. I teach everyday and everywhere. If they pay me or not, I no dey go anywhere o😂
- Next on the line is; challenging students behaviour: See ehn, mewa n sele( Ten is happening). The kids bring their home values to school and some of those values can be highly frustrating and there’s little or nothing you can do about it. You can’t beat them or scold them. They’d report to their parents, parents will tell the management that you’re a threat to their child’s overall wellbeing and you might get sacked or queried. So, I just pray for the kids using Ezekiel 36: 26-27 and Psalm 51:10. But not being able to correct the kids you teach can be highly frustrating most especially when you have to leave the corrections for the management. One thing I’ve learnt is self-control and at the same time, I’ve cried because of things like this. Dear Parents, please help train your kids well, it’ll make our work easier and effective. We’d not have heavy hearts because of your ill-mannered children.
H: They leave because they go into teaching thinking they’d be teaching for a whole hour and make this big impact but a lot of time, it’s admin or behavioural issues and they only get to teach for a small amount of it.
13. If you could change one thing about how society treats or supports teachers, what would it be?
O: We are not less important! Our career is not us being there for survival. We love our job! We love what we do! We are important! We are royalty! We are potters! We are shapers! Without the US there wouldn’t be YOU!
We are poverty-stricken… We are first, so put us first! The future is in our hands! The generation lies on our shoulders. If you’re giving us a 20% respect or support before now, increase to 100% Cheers 🍻
14. Ololade, how do you think the role of teachers has evolved over the years, especially with technology and changing learning styles?
O: The role of teachers has undergone a significant transformation, moving from traditional teaching methods to more dynamic and student-centered approaches. With technology integration, teachers now curate digital resources, facilitate collaborative learning, and foster critical thinking. While it’s true that tech has changed the game, great teachers have always adapted to meet the needs of their students. What hasn’t changed is the heart of teaching: guiding, mentoring, and inspiring the next generation. Teachers wear many hats, and their impact goes far beyond the classroom.
15. Looking ahead, what role do you see teachers playing in shaping the next generation in the next 5–10 years?
O: In the next 5-10 years, teachers will be more than just educators – they’ll be mentors, coaches, and guides who help shape the next generation’s minds and characters. With tech advancing rapidly, teachers will focus on developing essential life skills like critical thinking, creativity, and emotional intelligence. They’ll create personalized learning experiences, nurture students’ passions, and help them navigate the complexities of the digital world. By doing so, teachers will empower students to become curious, adaptable, and compassionate individuals who are equipped to tackle the challenges of the future.
16. If you could send one heartfelt message directly to teachers everywhere this Teachers’ Day, what would it be?
O: Hey Teachers, just wanted to say THANK YOU for all that you do. Your patience, kindness, and dedication don’t go unnoticed.
Just know that whilst penning this, I’m currently having menstrual cramps and I’m still showing up for my kids. I know you do so much more. Happy Teacher’s Day, Royals!
H: Society owes so much to teachers and the work they do. They are the foundation of every profession and a lot of dreams out there. So their role in the society needs to be appreciated and gratitude needs to be shown towards them. Thank you very much.