In Spain, the issue of academic failure and early school leaving remains a pressing concern. Statistics consistently place the country among the European leaders in the number of teenagers who do not complete secondary education. The reasons vary, from difficult family circumstances to a lack of support at school. But sometimes, it’s the words of a teacher that become the stumbling block that can forever alter the course of a teenager’s life.
In recent weeks, Spanish social media has been flooded with stories of young people who have achieved remarkable success despite the skepticism of their teachers. One such story is that of Minerva García, who now lives and works in London. Her story went viral and sparked a heated debate about the role teachers play in shaping students’ self-esteem.
Doubt and challenge
Minerva recalls how, in her senior years of school, one teacher persistently advised her not to even try to enter Bachillerato, saying she lacked the ability and it wasn’t worth the effort. For many teenagers, such words could be a sentence. But Minerva chose a different path: she not only finished school, but also entered university and went on to earn a master’s degree in advertising and public relations from one of London’s top universities.
Recently, the young woman recorded a video message addressed to that very teacher. In the video, she smiles as she displays her master’s degree diploma and sarcastically thanks her teacher for the ‘valuable advice.’ The video quickly went viral, sparking a heated debate in the comments section. Some argued that diplomas abroad can simply be bought, while others supported Minerva, emphasizing that the most important thing is not to give up and to keep pursuing your goal no matter what.
Pushing the Limits
Minerva’s story isn’t unique. Mada Mariño, a master’s student in fashion and luxury, experienced something similar. She recalls that in eighth grade, a teacher bluntly said to her classmate, ‘Don’t bother, you won’t succeed. At best, you’ll end up in vocational school.’ According to Mada, such words can shatter even the most determined teenager’s confidence.
Mariño stresses that vocational education (FP) is a worthy path, and many professionals who have completed such programs go on to succeed. But when a teacher decides for a student what they are capable of, that crosses the line. ‘How can you tell a child that they’ll never make it?’ she protests. She is convinced that no one has the right to limit someone else’s dreams and ambitions.
The Weight of Words
In Spain, teachers are traditionally held in high regard, but stories like this raise important questions: just how much responsibility do teachers bear for the future of their students? A careless comment can kill a child’s desire to learn, while a gesture of support can inspire great achievements. In the comments under Minerva’s video, many people shared similar experiences from their own lives. Some recalled how a teacher’s words helped them believe in themselves, while others remembered how they lost interest in school forever because of something a teacher said.
The issue lies not only with individual teachers, but with a system where success is often measured by grades rather than real abilities and ambition. In a setting where resources are scarce and classrooms overcrowded, teachers can sometimes lose faith in their students. Yet it’s in precisely these moments that it’s most important to remember: every word can be decisive.
Looking ahead
Today, Minerva and Mada are not outliers but rather symbols of a new generation unafraid to challenge the odds. Their stories remind us that outside opinions should never stand in the way of one’s dreams. Spanish society is increasingly debating how to reshape education to support, not limit, young people.
Perhaps it is examples like these that will spark real change. After all, behind every success stands not only personal determination but also self-belief—something that can be shattered all too easily by a single careless remark. And if someone once told you that you would never amount to anything, that’s no reason to give up.
