I am a Teacher

I am a Teacher
Reflection by:
Ma. Rowena M. Bayrante

I firmly believe that a teacher is born the first moment that a question leaped from the mouth of a child. This is because, when a child starts to ask questions this marks the beginning of the quest for knowledge. Although they have parents to respond to this quest not all of them are equipped with the right answers to their questions. This is because their parents may not be academically prepared to give and explain the answers to these questions. This is the reason why teachers are needed in order to respond to this particular situation. This also marked the beginning of the teaching profession.

A teacher is a representation of all the people who tried to make a significant contribution to knowledge in many places. She could be Socrates, Anne Sullivan, Aesop and Hans Christian Andersen who made significant contributions in their own field of expertise. Truly because her ideologies maybe representing or product of these different personalities.

A teacher is indeed a paradox who is very effective when he listen the most. She is one who is willing to accept students’ opinions, suggestions and reasoning not purely imposing what she thinks is right. She respects students ability to analyze and react to situations according to his emotions and beliefs Her greatest gift is what she receives from students not counted by the material gifts but how students honed their talents and skills.

The teacher is among the most fortunate of all who labor together with the doctors and architects. She is allowed to see that life is reborn each day with new questions, ideas and friendships. This is because a teacher must see to it that learning is not dormant and final. Learning must be responsive to the new trends and developments in the environment as well as in the society. It must also be never ending that it does not stop at one stage but continues with the other stages. Although knowledge learned today may not be applicable in the future. There should be a connection with the present to the future. Knowledge should find its application and relevance through time.

A teacher knows that if the foundation is anchored on love and truth what she imparts will last forever. Students remember teachers who are apathetic to them. They could greatly recall teachers who are friendly, loving, truthful and caring in their dealings with students. However, they may recall teachers who are very arrogant, dominating and inconsiderate because of unforgettable experiences or hatred.

A teacher is a warrior who battles daily against peer pressure, negativity, fear, conformity, prejudice, ignorance and apathy. That is why a teacher is expected to have a balance personality who can adjust to different situations as may be required. He must learn to overcome all his battles in teaching. Together he must consider his great allies such as intelligence, curiosity, parental support, individuality, creativity, faith, love and laughter for support. These are the essential requirements for the teaching profession to prosper. The experiences that the teacher has in the past serves as her living proof to improve for the better, the present challenges the teacher, makes teaching fun and adventurous in order to experiment on things to effectively impart knowledge. Through the present the teacher is allowed to spend his days with the future. It is the present that will dictate whether the teacher would still remain in the future. That is why he needs to be very good and effective in the present in order to ensure a good and promising future ahead of him. This is the essence of a teacher and we have to
thank God for it everyday.