My very first day as an official “ka-Lyceum”1 is one of my unforgettable moments. As a working student, I attend school straight from the office more often than not, wearing our polo-barong uniform. I was not familiar with the room numbers yet so I had to inquire from few students outside who responded by nodding. I entered the room. I haven’t had any acquaintance yet hence was feeling very uneasy I didn’t even sit down. I just stood at the rearmost side near the door and stared out blankly. My classmates came in and took their seats without even a whisper and remained that way for roughly half an hour. No instructor came. I stepped out of the room wordless. Realization came only the following day when I finally broke the ice and spoke with my classmates. They confessed they mistook me for an instructor! *First day high!*
Similar misconception happened when I first used my shoppers’ card in one of our local department stores. While attending to my transaction, the shopkeeper asked, “Teacher ka?” When that happens, two things cross my mind: one, I look old for my age (which has already been an accepted truth) and two, I exude the authoritative attitude expected of teachers.
Teaching is among my admired professions and admittedly appeals to me more than my current field. The way I see it, what makes teaching special is its considerable opportunity to influence vast audience. That opportunity is inherent to the profession in such a way that regardless whether a teacher is regarded to be “good” or “bad”, still, he/she has affected the lives of their students. The difference lies only whether they had motivated the student thus were admired, or their inefficiency was discouraging thus they were disliked.
Henry Brooks Adams best put it: “A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence ends.” A typical Filipino spends 14 years schooling from Grade 1 to fourth year college. Should we include preschool, graduate studies and short courses, our scholastic years extend beyond that. We advance in level and acquire more knowledge and yet, we remain under the instruction of teachers. I better realized the importance of the role of teachers in our existence especially during a child’s formative years which I think include adolescence also. I remember when my sister was in kindergarten, one of her favorite pastimes at home is to play teacher. She would pull her small chalkboard and lean it against our cabinet and “hold a class” complete with a stick and yelling to “noisy students”. Now, it amuses me to hear similar stories about my officemates’ kids. This proves that a child’s mind is indeed a tabula rasa which shall absorb learning derived from experience and interaction. (I hope my Humanities instructor wouldn’t deny me for forgetting the philosopher who presented this concept. *wink*)
Teachers play a vital role in boosting their students’ self-confidence which leads to being independent and responsible. However, focus should be on motivation first; independence and responsibility is achieved in the long run. Teachers ought to establish symmetry between challenge and encouragement as well as with authority and sociability. Tasks should not be too easy so as to avoid being taken for granted yet neither should it be too tough that it becomes parallel to impossibility. Being able to accomplish things in breakneck pace does not always spell productivity. Quality complements productivity because we cannot consider something as completely done if we have lapses somewhere. Thus, to achieve quality education, it is more important that both students and educators should assure that a strong understanding of the underlying concepts pertinent to the undertaking has been established first prior to being conscious with deadlines and rushing the output. Sad truth is that there are teachers who seem to have entered the profession to take “revenge” for their own hardships in college by overloading students with requirements.
Moreover, teachers must project reasonable authority so as to convey that they mean business and fortify the impression that they are the persons fit to consult on their respective areas. It is indeed unprofitable and risky to receive instructions from someone who doesn’t know what he’s talking about. Nonetheless, teachers should also maintain a pleasant professional relationship with their students to serve their purpose – to guide and be of help. I really admire teachers who encourage students not to hesitate to raise questions and would patiently find means to clarify confusions according to the student’s aptitude. These are the teachers who are not allergic to the word “spoon-feeding” and know very well when said approach would be helpful. More admirable are the few teachers who have significantly affected their students’ personal lives to a certain extent by being a friend who gives sound advice, a pat on the shoulder, kind words, and sometimes may even share material resources.
Humiliation should not be mistaken as “challenge” as this may shatter one’s confidence especially when the person is still striving to find his strengths and establish his identity in the social circle. On the other hand, commendation should be amply given to someone who does well or at least exerts extra effort. Again, keyword is “balance”. Appreciation should be genuine and not mocking, and must not be lavish to avoid being misinterpreted as favoritism and cause the one being praised to be conceited. I believe that it is rewarding enough for students to see that they get grades they deserve. I had few instructors who seem to believe it is degrading for them to give a grade of flat 1. I think otherwise. High grades could gauge how effective the teacher is provided that all criteria in the grading system show how well the student performed; excluding extracurricular incentives of course.
Teaching is a noble profession; effective teaching is a work of love. Bob Ong, in his humor-editorial book “ABNKKBSNPLAko?!” upheld his view that teachers should be rightfully recognized as “mga makabagong bayani” (modern-day heroes) as much as, if not rather than OFWs. I share his stand. Truly, overseas workers endure being a pilgrim and have to confront issues of homesickness, racism, abuse, etc. just to be able to remit foreign currency. However, I believe that sacrifices of teachers are fair heroic acts because most of their time is spent away from home to attend to the noble duty of molding minds and being a role model to their students yet majority of them aren’t compensated as much as OFWs. Nothing could better illustrate patriotism without having to die for the country than to stay and serve our own people despite low financial gain.
Teaching, as we know, is not a high-paying job at least in our country. With the promise of nursing and technical vocations nowadays, what has teaching have to bid against? From my acquaintances, only few took up Education for a college degree; most of them have a (public school) teacher relative. Teaching is often considered as a second option and part-time job. It has become a trend that graduates of other degrees resort to teaching for various reasons – most common of which are additional income, to gain (first) working experience, or simply to have something to do while awaiting release of their board results or working visa abroad. Definitely, nothing is wrong with these yet such may also imply the Filipinos’ shortsighted perception of teaching.
Good enough, the opportunity for teachers have fairly increased in the international market lately, both for typical classroom setup and online instruction.
Furthermore, some people, especially males, find teaching as a "non-challenging job"; i.e. boring. While that is understandable and teaching really is by nature a routine, it’s not easy at all. Having to prepare lessons for every subject they teach and repeating the same for each class they meet daily could be exhausting. Hence, I see very little difference between teachers and merchandisers discussing over and over to different audience, the benefits of that multi-purpose kitchen knife, availing a credit card, or residing in that estate. Nonetheless, the chance to interact with a diverse group of people with different attitudes, motivation, lifestyle, and ideas is not at all boring. While students learn from their mentors’ expertise, teachers eventually learn effective group management.
Teaching is indeed a profession which entails hard work, dedication, lots of patience and unceasing pursuit for improvement. A technical person who does well in the industry may not always be similarly effective in teaching because proficiency is having acquired knowledge while teaching is sharing knowledge. It is not hard for us to distinguish a professional (in its profound sense) teacher from a so-so type. I appreciate teachers who make a difference by performing their jobs with sincerity, those who value student welfare above being compensated for their services, and those who are honest enough to admit their shortcomings. This world needs more of their kind and our reciprocated cooperation and respect may be our humble tribute for them.
I have a high regard for teaching. For now, I know no other way to advocate its significant undertaking than value the knowledge and virtues my schooling has infused in me until that time when I shall again encounter that question “teacher ka?” and finally I shall be eligible to answer yes and smile. MGGM
1 Lyceum is the school where I am presently attending college whereas "ka-" is a Filipino prefix synonymous to "mate" like "kabarkada" (peer) and "katulong" (helper)
