From student to teacher: former federal student takes up position at his own institution and celebrates 'a lot of effort'

The new teacher's career began in basic education, at Colégio Estadual Campos Brasil. It was during this period that he began to see education as a tool for social transformation. In 2013, he entered the Mathematics Degree course at the then Federal University of Tocantins (UFT), now UFNT, and completed his degree in 2017. After graduating, he left the North region to continue his studies. Eduardo completed his master's and doctorate in mathematics at the Federal University of Goiás (UFG), completed in 2021 and 2024, respectively. In 2025, he completed a postdoctoral degree at the University of São Paulo (USP), with a scholarship from the São Paulo State Research Support Foundation (Fapesp). A dream that seemed distant During my undergraduate studies, the possibility of returning to university as a professor existed, but it seemed distant. "During graduation, this was a dream, but it seemed very far from my reality. I looked at my teachers with great admiration and respect, seeing in them examples of dedication, knowledge and commitment to public education", he recalls. Among the main inspirations, Eduardo cites professor José Carlos de Oliveira Júnior, responsible for the real analysis discipline. "Now returning as a permanent professor to the institution where it all began is an emotion that is difficult to describe. It's like returning home, but now with a new mission: to contribute to the training of other students, just as so many teachers once contributed to mine. Intense preparation for the first competition." Approval came after preparation that the professor himself defines as intense and challenging. The competition included a written test, didactic test, presentation of a research project and evaluation of titles. “As it was a competition for a permanent professor, I knew that each stage would require a lot of study, organization and responsibility”, he says. One of the differences in the selection process was the vacancy in the Software Engineering area, which required preparation focused on the specific demands of the course. "It was a very challenging journey, especially as it was a competition in the Software Engineering area. This required even more dedication from me to fully understand the demands of the area, organize my preparation and present a proposal consistent with the profile of the vacancy and the institution", he explains. In addition to specific studies for the event, Eduardo considers that all of his academic training was part of the preparation. “Approval is the result of a long process, built over many years”, he states. READ MORE: 'A dream is never impossible', says student who combined studies with work on the farm and passed Medicine in TO Student goes viral when he enters the supermarket where his mother works and says he got a scholarship at college: 'It worked' According to him, the main challenges were dealing with the emotional pressure, the responsibility of competing for such an important place and the meaning of returning to the university where he began his journey. Emotion upon receiving the result Upon learning of the approval, Eduardo states that he remembered the entire journey that led him to that moment. "I received the news with a lot of emotion and gratitude. It was one of those moments that defines our lives. A movie played in my head: entering university, the difficulties, the people who helped me, the teachers who encouraged me, my family and the entire journey to get there", he says. For him, the achievement represents much more than professional advancement. "I am a result of public education and I know how much it can transform lives. Professionally, it is an opportunity to contribute to the training of new students, develop research, strengthen the institution and give back, in some way, everything that the public university gave me", he highlights. Back home Eduardo is sitting down in celebration of passing the UFNT entrance exam Eduardo Dias Lima/ Personal Archive Son and grandson of domestic workers and raised by his grandmother, Luzia da Silva Lima, Eduardo states that his approval is the result of the opportunities provided by public education and student retention policies. "Returning to the Federal University of Northern Tocantins as a tenured professor is one of the greatest emotions of my life. I'm returning home. Don't give up on your dreams. The journey may be tough, but education transforms destinies. It allows us to break barriers, face inequalities and build a life with more dignity, hope and future", he concludes. See more news from the region on g1 Tocantins.