The Oct. 5 World Teacher’s Day celebration triggered mixed emotions.
I must admit that I miss the classroom, not really due to the pandemic but because I have retired from teaching – recently from a part-time Senior High class and from the university a little earlier.
Never mind the off-tiring teacher’s routine – from keeping class records to checking test papers and assignments and reports to attending endless meetings and updating and upgrading instructional strategies including the conduct of researches which have become on imperative especially in tertiary educational institutions today.
The rigors of the teaching tasks are spontaneously relegated to the background of the stream of a teacher’s consciousness when he or she learns about the influence and impact of his or her efforts right from the students themselves.
Teacher’s Day is such an occasion – when the mentors are on the receiving and of recollections or testimonials by the students on how their classroom or academic l experiences have shaped their personal growth and development.
On World Teacher’s Day, like the rest of instructors all over, I got dozens and dozens of messages (thanks to the social media, they came quick and many) got that warmed my heart and lifted my spirit.
And the most touching messages were those unexpected from students how they learned not only about knowledge and skills but more so about friendship, life and citizenship as well as service to others.
Indeed, what educator Jennifer Montgomery, said holds true when teachers ponder on their role: “Helping young people find their way in the world is one of the greatest contributions a teacher can make.”
“Once a teacher, always a teacher.” This appears to be true especially among retirees, like me. Teaching has become a passion for life that I become doubly glad when invited to share my expertise in trainings and related programs.
This must be the reason why many retirees are offered and readily accept lecturers’ chairs in graduate degree programs.
As I had earlier told friends, I feel blessed to have the opportunity to help shape minds both through the media as a journalist and through the classroom as a teacher.
***
Looking back, teaching was never part of my career plans. I remember that in the first grade, when our teacher asked us to illustrate our ambition, I drew the picture of a clinic with me as a doctor.
But that dream was eventually obliterated by the sight of blood oozing from my thigh when I fell from a guarantee and the realization that a financially-struggling family could never afford the cost of medical education.
Love of books, newspapers and magazines led me to discover the joys of reading that I soon switched my career interest to journalism.
But there was no journalism school nearby that I made the decision in majoring philosophy so that I could “learn to think well first before knowing how to write well.”
Later, when I applied for a grant to do graduate studies in journalism abroad, I was asked by the panel: “What is our guarantee that you will return to the Philippines and not stay abroad?”
My reply was quick: “I will work not only as an editor but also provide an opportunity for journalism education.”
And that is how I ended up also in the classroom “helping young people find their way in the world” through media studies in various colleges and universities in the region.
I am thankful, too, that the Department of Education, the Philippine Information Agency and many other organizations have provided me with a wider and bigger platform by inviting me as a journalism resource person in their divisional, provincial, regional and national press and information conferences.
***
UNESCO spearheads the WTD celebration to focus on “how teachers are transforming education and reflect on the support they need” toward the global rethinking for their profession.
With the theme, “The Transformation of Education Begins with Teachers”, UNESCO and major global education stakeholders want to ensure that mentors must “have the tools they need: to take responsibility for themselves, others and the planet.”
Beyond this pressing concern, I would like to think that what another teaching specialist, Harvey McKay, popularized toward service compassion — “the heart of education is the education of the heart” — finds greater depth and meaning when we think of the lessons shared by the Greatest Teacher of all time — Jesus Christ, the Master Mentor of all ages.
Foremost among these lessons are the Beatitudes. Remember reading these lines?
And He opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful for they will be shown mercy.”
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven…” (from Matthew 5)
We honor and praise Him today and always for His teachings and what He has done so that whoever believes in Him can have life everlasting. – NWI
