Of Dreaming and Crying
It is exigent
to be able handle students who see education as a barrier to their daily activities
and whose very aim is to get things over and done with. Thus, it gives me a consoling feeling to see a few students who believe otherwise. There are still who still agree with me that the ticket to
success is education. However, it pains me to see a class list with 50 students
and only 25 of them are present during my class. Hence, in most of my lessons I
try to induce the importance of dreams to my students. One time, I asked them
to write something about their dreams. They shared their dreams to the class
and one student caught me off guard. Non-verbatim; Student A said that she wants
an easy life and that pursuing higher degree is just a waste of time, money,
and effort. Student A also added that life does not really have to be difficult
and all those who want higher education would only punish themselves for
sleepless nights caused by writing research papers, studying for examinations,
making project, and the like. Once Student A was done with her sharing, I found
myself in total silence. I could not speak. I did not know what to say. For
one, I believe dreaming is something personal. I cannot dictate anyone
what to dream. I have to understand that people see life in a different light.
For me, pursuing higher education means everything; forget about empty savings
account and sleepless nights just to earn my doctorate degree. This is not the
case to others though and I have to respect Student A. Thanks to the last student
who shared her very detailed dreams in life, I was able to redeem myself. When
I got home though, I cried.
Of Demigods and Greeks
Being a
product of public schools from grade school to college, I see public schools as
a venue not only of good quality education but a melting pot of students of student
with high regard in values and morals. However my heart is crushed into tiny pieces
in the last 30 days. Gone are the days when students see their teachers as
surrogate parents and respect them the way they respect their parents. Gone are
the days when students behave inside the class even when the teacher is not
around. And gone are the days when teachers are seen as demigods who have the
power over the students. This may sound I was tortured during my grade school
and high school. Of course NOT! In fact I believe that I have had the
best education and I am who I am right now because of my former teachers. I owe
them a lot.
Nowadays, many
students see their teachers as enemy. Many students think that teachers only get
in their way. Many students believe that teachers punish them when they are
given home works, projects, and examinations. Again, these do not apply to all
but a number of students see things like that. This is indeed heart-breaking!
Every time I enter my classroom, I never fail to say a prayer. I ask for
patience, patience, patience, and of course patience. If I doubled my patience
in handling special children; this time though I need triple or even quadruple.
Societal Value
My good
friend once told me that teaching in public school has a societal value. I
definitely agree with him. Teaching is very delicate profession. A teacher must
consider each word that she utters for it can make or break her students. A
teacher must think a hundred times before doing something for it can form
learner or a monster. A teacher must above all love not only the students but
most importantly the profession. Once a teacher makes her heart work, no matter
how challenging things may be it becomes light and easy.
I am a no
saint. I have my shares of early morning telling-off to my students. I easily
get annoyed when I enter a disorganized classroom. I sometime catch myself exasperated when the
students do not understand my lessons. I have my share of flaws too. But as I
go along the way I hope to transform into a more patient, loving, and understanding
teacher whose very aim is not only to make a difference but to become a teacher with societal value.
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