Ashoka
When you meet Opeyemi Adeniyi, you quickly realize that teaching isn’t just a profession for her, it’s a calling. With over 13 years of experience, Opeyemi has poured her heart into nurturing young minds across Lagos, from private intervention centres to bustling public schools. Today, she’s a Basic Science teacher at Araromi Junior Secondary School, where she’s making a real difference by ensuring every child feels seen, heard, and valued.
Opeyemi was part of the first cohort of the Changemaking Teachers Activation Program (CTEACH) an initiative of the Time for Change program in Nigeria. The CTEACH is a program that brings together cohorts of teachers from government-owned junior secondary schools across Lagos State for a 12-month journey to deepen their understanding of how they and their students can drive social impact within their communities and learn how to integrate changemaking systems and practices into their teaching.
Starting her career in an intervention centre, Opeyemi quickly learned how to meet children’s academic, social, and emotional needs. This experience set the foundation for her passion for inclusive education, where she could bring her unique approach to a broader range of students.
Her secret? She meets each child where they are. Instead of expecting sudden transformations, Opeyemi appreciates gradual progress. She takes the time to support struggling students, building their confidence along the way. It’s no wonder her colleagues, students, and parents consistently praise her dedication and gentle persistence.
Teaching in an inclusive environment isn’t always easy. When Opeyemi transitioned to the public sector, she found herself facing large class sizes and limited time to address individual needs. “I had to learn quickly how to categorize students based on their needs,” she says.
By grouping students with similar challenges together, she developed targeted approaches that made reaching all her students more manageable. This strategic thinking helped her create a more inclusive and effective learning environment.
For Opeyemi, the Time for Change's CTEACH program was a breath of fresh air. It opened her eyes to new ways of embedding changemaking values into everyday lessons. She began to see her classroom not just as a place for learning facts and figures but as a training ground for future problem solvers.
One moment during the training stood out to her: “When my facilitator said we need to consider the peculiarity of the environment or community we work in, it gave me clarity in my changemaking journey.” This insight helped her adapt her teaching style to the unique needs of her students and the realities of their community.
One of the standout initiatives Opeyemi led was a vocational training program at her school. This wasn’t just about teaching skills—it was about keeping kids engaged, reducing absenteeism, and offering them hope for a brighter future.
“Some of my students were missing school to learn skills outside. By bringing vocational training into the school, we kept them engaged and showed them that education can also be practical and relevant to their lives,” she explains.
The program not only boosted attendance but also gave students a sense of purpose and direction. They began to see school as a place where their interests and ambitions could thrive.
Opeyemi’s approach is simple yet powerful: help students recognize their strengths, guide them to identify challenges in their communities, and support them in taking action. She incorporates changemaking principles into daily lessons through group work, leadership opportunities, and decision-making exercises.
“I focus on guiding them to identify their strengths, think of solutions to problems, and take action. I want them to grow up knowing they can make a difference,” she shares.
Her classroom has become a safe space where empathy and collaboration are not just taught but lived out every day. She leads by example, showing students what it means to care for others and contribute positively to their community.
Opeyemi dreams of a future where education in Nigeria is about more than just academics. She wants to see young people celebrated for their diverse talents and for using those talents to solve real-world problems.
“The great change we look forward to starts now with us. I want my students to become problem solvers wherever they go,” she says.
Her vision is clear: a generation of changemakers who aren’t just learning for exams but preparing to lead, innovate, and make a tangible impact.
Opeyemi’s advice to other teachers is heartfelt and practical:
“Study your community and your students. Identify what works for them and adapt your teaching to meet those needs. When challenges arise, face them with a positive mindset, seek guidance from colleagues, and never lose sight of the difference you can make.”
Opeyemi Adeniyi is proof that when teachers lead with empathy, patience, and a changemaker’s mindset, every child can truly thrive.