I love school. I love studying. If that is a statement that only nerds and geeks say then I am indeed one. I am not offended nor slighted. Exam and report to me is what rush and speed is to those who are into extreme sports. It's stressful but fulfilling. You can definitely live without it but life isn't the same without it. But, that's just me. Crazy, weird me.
It's probably the reason why the one job that I enjoyed the most was teaching. The classroom was my comfort zone, my queendom, my turf. That is not to say I don't get nervous when I'm in front of the class. First day of classes always scares the hell out of me. As a student, it was a moment of uncertainty. As a teacher, it's when you get your message across. Yet, I wouldn't quit nor get out of it if I could. If studying and learning wouldn't cost a thing, I'd study until my eyes could no longer read. If teaching can provide for the needs of my loved ones, I'd teach until my voice box could no longer produce a sound. Sadly, education (especially quality education) isn't for free. I am beginning to think that most people are resigned to paying the price of ignorance because the price of education is just too exorbitant. It's no longer a question of whether or not you're determined to learn but a question of what you're willing to endure and to give up just to stay in school.
Educators, on the other hand, have learned to rationalize their plight by looking at the teaching profession as a vocation. In so doing, they focus on the non-monetary rewards and try (if they could) not to look at their paychecks and to never compare it with the paycheck of others. It's the only way to survive and avoid self-pity. That teaching is a noble profession is an old and accepted view, if not a fact. If this is so, why do these noble professionals do not earn as much as the other professionals? What gives? Why are their talents, knowledge and skills not as appreciated as the talents, knowledge and skills of doctors, lawyers and engineers? I say it's time for society to mean what it say. If teachers are important, value them. Allow them to enjoy the fruits of their dedication and labor by making sure that they have decent, if not comfortable, lives because they work hard for it.
This is from someone who started out as student and eventually became a teacher. I am glad I did not loose faith in the system. Despite being exposed to teachers who cannot perform their tasks because they were either underpaid, unmotivated or disillusioned by the system, I still believe in the capacity of education to transform the individual. Luckily, I had teachers who taught me through their choices and their lifestyle that some things are worth the sacrifice. Some things are more important than a luxurious lifestyle. I had teachers who instilled in me the desire to do my share to affect others and community in my own little way, the best way that I can.
I hope I did not fail them. I hope my students, one day, can say the same thing about me. I hope they'll say that my brief presence in their lives made them realize that it's to their best interest to study hard and to go beyond money and personal success. I hope they look at society and manage to be critical but not cynical, to question and to accept authority when necessary, to stay and do their part before leaving the country, to never renounce their citizenship, to never act like they're from another country because they look and talk like a Filipino anyway. I hope they realize that they only need to try to make it possible.
As a student and teacher, I tried to change the world one class at a time. I know it's not enough. I pray I can do more.
It's probably the reason why the one job that I enjoyed the most was teaching. The classroom was my comfort zone, my queendom, my turf. That is not to say I don't get nervous when I'm in front of the class. First day of classes always scares the hell out of me. As a student, it was a moment of uncertainty. As a teacher, it's when you get your message across. Yet, I wouldn't quit nor get out of it if I could. If studying and learning wouldn't cost a thing, I'd study until my eyes could no longer read. If teaching can provide for the needs of my loved ones, I'd teach until my voice box could no longer produce a sound. Sadly, education (especially quality education) isn't for free. I am beginning to think that most people are resigned to paying the price of ignorance because the price of education is just too exorbitant. It's no longer a question of whether or not you're determined to learn but a question of what you're willing to endure and to give up just to stay in school.
Educators, on the other hand, have learned to rationalize their plight by looking at the teaching profession as a vocation. In so doing, they focus on the non-monetary rewards and try (if they could) not to look at their paychecks and to never compare it with the paycheck of others. It's the only way to survive and avoid self-pity. That teaching is a noble profession is an old and accepted view, if not a fact. If this is so, why do these noble professionals do not earn as much as the other professionals? What gives? Why are their talents, knowledge and skills not as appreciated as the talents, knowledge and skills of doctors, lawyers and engineers? I say it's time for society to mean what it say. If teachers are important, value them. Allow them to enjoy the fruits of their dedication and labor by making sure that they have decent, if not comfortable, lives because they work hard for it.
This is from someone who started out as student and eventually became a teacher. I am glad I did not loose faith in the system. Despite being exposed to teachers who cannot perform their tasks because they were either underpaid, unmotivated or disillusioned by the system, I still believe in the capacity of education to transform the individual. Luckily, I had teachers who taught me through their choices and their lifestyle that some things are worth the sacrifice. Some things are more important than a luxurious lifestyle. I had teachers who instilled in me the desire to do my share to affect others and community in my own little way, the best way that I can.
I hope I did not fail them. I hope my students, one day, can say the same thing about me. I hope they'll say that my brief presence in their lives made them realize that it's to their best interest to study hard and to go beyond money and personal success. I hope they look at society and manage to be critical but not cynical, to question and to accept authority when necessary, to stay and do their part before leaving the country, to never renounce their citizenship, to never act like they're from another country because they look and talk like a Filipino anyway. I hope they realize that they only need to try to make it possible.
As a student and teacher, I tried to change the world one class at a time. I know it's not enough. I pray I can do more.
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