If a school could personify, it could very well be a mother.
‘’A mother’s work is never
done,’’ an old cliché but timeless and classic. For the past four years that I have spent in this
profession of teaching, I realized that schools do provide the necessities of our community.
Blessed indeed, if a school is successful in growing good seeds- the students, who can serve not
just themselves but most importantly the purpose of their existence. We are all in the hopes that
this purpose is not self-centered rather a desire to help others and contribute to the mission that
Jesus entrusted to us-to love.
Everytime I think about how important the role of schools in our community is, I am
always left in awe. This can only be possible when the school is run by good stewards-the
teachers. Teachers do hold one of the most significant portrayals in the world and that is to be
good examples. As I go through the pages of each chapter of my teaching career, I have seen the
beauty of this role. We are not only accounted by what the students can do but also with what
they can’t. Synonymously, we are responsible not only with what they accept to be their choices
but also with what they don’t.
Today, teachers are challenged to bring out the not just best but most importantly the
‘’good’’ from each student. Our words are more than just letters for them, words become a
movement. They listen and believe in us. They do obey and follow without hesitation. That,
being said, is one of the gifts God had given to the teachers. It is a must that we show them that
‘’we walk the talk,’’ otherwise, we are a failure. There are so many teachers today who are too
busy becoming ‘’the great,’’ forgetting to do what is ‘’great.’’ Greatness has a reverse meaning
in the field of education. You are not great by holding degrees and diplomas rather you are called
great when you humble yourself. It is when you learn how to tone down and reach for the level
of your learners. These are the moments you accept that you are not always right and welcome
what your learners can offer in the class. Education of today requires us not only to be smart and
eloquent but be more compassionate and understanding. The world already has a lot of critics.
Each child needs to have at least one who believes in them. It is important to make them realize
that their dreams are valid and achievable.
When I was in college, I promised myself that I would be the teacher that I never had.
Making the students the center of your mission is not always a piece of cake. Indeed, it is easier
said than done. It really takes a good heart to fulfill this noble mission. But how do we really
perform this task of liberating young minds and touching delicate hearts? For me, educators must
contemplate on this acronym: W-O-N-D-E-R. Through this, we might be able to make the
impossible realistic.
W-ords hold power. As individuals who make use of these everyday, we should realize
that we could either make or break a heart. The words we choose to use reflect what kind of
person we are. It reveals our motives and intentions. Students in the 21 st century are excellent
enough to qualify if we mean what we say and if we say what we mean. Choosing to be tactful is
the key to educate effectively. Whether we admit it or not, we are best remembered by the things
that we said than the things that we do. I personally prefer being recalled by words that
encourage, words that inspire, and words that enlighten. There would come a time when they
would even come back and thank you for the phrase or words you said that have become their
life’s greatest source of motivation.
O-rganization imbibes discipline. I think most teachers are organized. We like to put
things in order and we get annoyed to people whose stuff are scattered all over. Organization in
this reflection is more than that. It is about how organized our life as teachers is. Do we see to it
that our actions jive with our words? Do we make it a point that our social media accounts don’t
have any vulgar and malicious contents? In being organized, we create a pattern for our students
to follow. We set limitations and policies that should also include ourselves. That is one good
thing you will be able to grasp once you already are in the field. Gone are those days you are
careless and loud. The lessons you learned are always the best lessons to teach.
N-ovelty is your own identity. Some teachers get frustrated and disappointed about
themselves. They even cry a river because they regret choosing this profession. A lot can relate
when classroom management is brought into the context. There are varied types of stories, some
are fascinating, some are hilarious, some are dramatic, and others scary. The strength of
classroom management lies in the persona and being of the teacher. Your class set-up reflects
who you are. Some teachers are lost because they do not even know themselves. They don’t
know what they want and as result the class always ponders in the dark. You cannot give what
you do not have and you cannot have what you failed to know. Imitating others with their
techniques and strategies in classroom management could work for some but not for all.
Realizing where you are good at and strengthening it- is also as good as identifying what your
weakness is and improving it. An effective classroom engagement lies on how well the teacher
makes use of his core in order to provide the necessities of the class by not trying to be someone
he is not.
D-evotion is preceded by passion. Our dreams are our aspirations. What makes it noble is
when we choose to immerse ourselves deeply with what we love doing the most. To teach is easy
but giving justice to the word ‘’teaching’’ is really a tough responsibility. Our willingness to go
beyond the worth of our salary is priceless and jaw-dropping. That is when we choose to be
servants not of any boss or superior but of the school. I have strongly believed that teachers are
there for more than just the façade- to be respected, to be honored, and to be followed. Teachers
are meant for far way better things. We are the only ones who get to feel proud like a real parent
when our students get to reach milestones of their lives. Moreover, we will forever be called
‘’GURO,’’ ‘’SIR,’’ and ‘’MISS,’’ even when they become greater than us. This is what makes
us different. This is what separates us from the rest; to be given a chance to grow a seed, see its
stem grows, view it spreads its branches, and watch them bear good fruits. After all, we ignite
motivation not competition.
E-xcellence is driven from patience. We grow in communities that look up to those on
top. We admire people who are hailed as top-notchers in bar and board exams. There is no easy
climb on top. If we want to get there, then we must first be willing to give whatever it requires of
us. Educators must not remain stagnant. Pursuing greater opportunities is not bad as long as we
do not neglect our purpose and do not take advantage of our position. Striving to become better
is already a form of excellence because when you love what you do, you may tire but you won’t
give up. One thing we ought to teach our students today is that the road to greatness is not an
easy one. A journey of a thousand miles starts from a single step. But if you take it one step at a
time, one day you will look down from your feet and see that you are already up to your
destination.
R-eward is found in the ordinary. There is truly beauty in simple things. Even when you
feel tired and restless to go to school, you will still choose to get up because there is no greater
thing in this field than to be restless and exhausted with what you are passionate to do. There are
trying times and the faith in your purpose may waiver but a steadfast servant will always find
one reason to stay over a thousand reasons to give up. You cannot deny that it is such a joy to see
children accompanied by their parents going to school. It feels grand to let them feel that they are
safe and secured in your custody. It is called happiness when you sacrifice the things that you
have- time, voice, knowledge, love, and hope for a child who depends on you.
Our dear Lasallian schools were established to bring light in the dark. Moreover, to
provide cure for the blind, to amplify for the mute, and to understand for the deaf. May we not
forget that a ‘’mother’’ is the proudest when she sees her children transform mystery to ministry,
carry the mission with passion, and turn competition to inspiration.