In the journey of education, there are milestones that, though quiet, deeply echo in both mind and heart. One such moment is when a “pupil” becomes a colleague, an entirely natural transition, a true law of life. The story of Professor Manuel Julián Camilo Potes Galarza beautifully captures this transformation. With great emotion, he shares how he reunited professionally with a former student who now shines in her field as a distinguished professional.

Often, the most meaningful moments in academic life go unnoticed, yet they carry profound emotional weight. This is the case for Professor Manuel Julián, a civil engineer from the University of Cauca and a Master in Applied Public Management from Tecnológico de Monterrey. Today, as a faculty member in the Department of Construction within the Civil Engineering program in Santander de Quilichao, he has devoted his career to planting seeds of knowledge and passion in new generations.

The story comes alive when, amid his daily work, he encounters a student who has taken the reins of her own destiny. She, once his pupil in the Construction Legislation course, now works as a supervisor in a public institution.

The moment is magical; the roles are reversed. Now, he submits reports to be reviewed by someone who once sat in his classroom, listening to the very lessons that shaped her training. This encounter not only symbolizes the lasting impact of committed teaching but also the realization of a shared dream: seeing those once guided by his lessons flourish in their own right.

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“I was pleasantly surprised by her integrity and firmness in the role. She didn’t hesitate to make requests when necessary or to ask for adjustments in the reports. I felt a mix of slight irritation and, I must admit, deep pride. There she was, applying with ethics and discernment the same rigor we once fostered in the classroom,” the professor shares with emotion.

For him, this meeting served as a powerful affirmation that teaching with responsibility goes far beyond technical content: it’s about forming capable, critical, and above all, ethical individuals.

“It is fulfilling to see how the way we teach can become a small contribution to building a society more committed to public good and the collective,” he added.

This story reminds us that the impact of teachers’ work is not always immediate; it bears fruit over time, especially when students seem to surpass their mentors. And in that moment, when those who were once students return as colleagues, leading with conviction and integrity, it is one of the most meaningful—if silent—forms of recognition a lifelong educator can receive.

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Thus, from the University of Cauca, we share this story as part of our Teacher’s Day celebration a heartfelt tribute. We also invite all professors in our university community to share their experiences, anecdotes, and reflections. We offer many editorial spaces and formats where these voices can be heard, because we truly believe that the stories that inspire also teach.

Thank you, teachers, for keeping alive the flame of knowledge, truth, and life.

Thank you for leaving, with each class and each word, a mark that transcends the classroom and becomes a guiding light for the future. This University, a #HeritageOfAll, would not be what it is without you.

 

Written by: Communications Management Center