In light of the recent controversy involving teachers, particularly the statement alleging that some educators are a bad influence on their students, many people have expressed their opinions and concerns. Unsurprisingly, many teachers, including myself, reacted negatively. We felt offended and hurt by what appeared to be a sweeping generalization. Others also raised concerns about the interpretation of the statement, arguing that its qualifiers and context may not have been fully understood.
Amid the ongoing debate, one truth remains evident: teachers continue to be among the most respected members of any community. Society recognizes the vital role they play in shaping future generations. As the familiar saying goes, "Teaching is the mother of all professions." Without teachers, there would be no doctors, engineers, lawyers, scientists, or public servants.
As a former teacher, I deeply cherish the respect and appreciation my students have shown me over the years. Even today, when I encounter former students in public places, they often greet me warmly and extend their highest regards. These seemingly simple gestures remind me of the lasting impact that teachers can have on the lives of young people.
While time may have blurred my memory of some of their names, I will never forget the faces of the students who once sat in my classroom and devoted their attention to the lessons I shared. Their smiles, greetings, and expressions of gratitude reinforce the profound connection that exists between teachers and learners.
I stumbled upon my previous column published on Sepetmber 20, 2021:
More than speaking
When I was about ten years old, I would often spend my playtime alone inside a room. My mom was puzzled about what I was doing by myself, and she was always eavesdrop by the door and heard me talking by myself. I bet she would still smile while narrating what she found me doing inside the room. My favourite playtime is called “teacher-teacheran.”
At that early point in my life, I already had a big interest in grammar, words, and other stuff under the English subject. I would say, it is undoubtedly my favourite subject. Although that was my first dream or ambition when I was younger, I have had several other influences which made me decide to pursue Mass Communications.However, being a teacher is somewhat a destiny for me. I was given the chance to teach the English subject to college students in the first state university in Pampanga, the Don Honorio Ventura Technonogical State University or DHVTSU.
Many people would probably think that teaching is just discussing lessons, giving quizzes and exams, and checking test papers. Well, that stuff is already harder than any other office or clerical work there is, but there’s more to teaching than just standing in front of the students trying to make them understand and appreciate the lessons that you want to impart to them.
When you become a teacher, you become a model, an example of how an upright person ought to be. I remember, when I was still teaching, I would often be conscious of what I would wear when I would go to the mall. I would avoid wearing skimpy and revealing outfits since there are big chances that I would bump into my students in public places. Other than that, I would always be mindful of what I post in social networking sites because most of my students have been added to my accounts.
Secondly, you also become a mentor to them. It is quite true that students highly look up to their teachers, and more than the academic lessons that we are required to pass on to them, we should also teach them lessons about life and the many things that are definitely not experiences within the confines of the classroom. Whenever I handle the writing and speech classes, I would always try my best to teach them more than what they should know. For example, in my writing class, I would ask them to prepare a survey reaserch, and along the way, they would experience interacting with their respondents, which is something that will be advantageous for them when they will conduct their undergraduate thesis work. In my speech class on the other hand, I try my best as well to prepare them for the workplace, teaching them how to speak well in interviews and presentations.
Above all, being a teacher ultimately means being a second parent to your students. Inside the classroom, we are a family. I am a mother, and they are my children. This means that, there’s more to being just a teacher and a student. Rather, a parent who cares and nurtures his or her children to ensure their well-being and holistic development. When a teacher enters the classroom, he or she juggles all these roles and becomes an all-in-one package who only wishes that his or her students become the best that they could possibly be.
