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Now or Never

'I really need a solid Burnsy pep talk': Reconnecting with the teacher who changed my life

When Arif Jaffer was in high school, Mr. Burns gave him some advice he never forgot. Now he's at another crossroads in his life, and could really use another Burnsy pep talk.
CBC Radio ·
Mr. Burns and Arif Jaffer at his graduation from Dr. Norman Bethune Collegiate Institute in Scarborough, ON in 2008. (Arif Jaffer)

I'm at a crossroads in my life right now, and there's only one person who can help me through it: Mr. Burns.

Mr. Burns was my high school vice principal. He was tough. He hardly ever smiled, and used to patrol the hallways with a walkie-talkie and stare down any kid using a cellphone. To be honest, I was scared of him at first.

But then I joined the AV club, and we got to know each other a little better. 'Burnsy' and I were an odd pair at first. He'd make fun of me for not liking science, I made fun of him for never smiling. He had a tough love mentality that drove me crazy, but in retrospect, it helped me understand my full potential.  

I used to call him my school dad.

There was a point in my junior year where I was lost. I was being pushed towards the sciences by my parents but I didn't want that. I wanted to write. I wanted to tell stories. So I told Burns this and he told me exactly what to do. And his advice worked.

Fast forward nine years, and I find myself facing the same kind of dilemma.

So with the help of Now or Never, I picked up the phone and called Mr. Burns. I told him I needed a classic Burns pep talk. And you can listen to his wise words here:

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