OUR young teachers today are full of hope and enthusiasm. They know what they are getting into. They know the great responsibilities given to them as the nurturer of the young.
Good thing that we have a good number of senior high school students who plan to pursue an Education course in college. Good thing too that we hear elementary students say “I want to become a teacher when I grow up.”
We know we won’t lack teachers in the future. It is true that there are many other professions that offer a much greater salary compared to a teacher’s monthly pay. There are many professions with fewer demands in work outputs, and there are those that won’t take too much time.
The teaching profession doesn’t offer a big salary except for professors in state colleges and universities. It needs a lot of documents from the preparation of topics to the checking of outputs. It takes all the spare time left especially when teachers need to do some remedial classes or help students who need their help.
In short, it needs a brave heart, a tough body, a clear mind, and a strong faith to be in the teaching profession.
Despite this, we have teachers all around the country and they occupy the biggest number of professionals.
Just this weekend, I met the young teachers of Assumption schools in Nabunturan, Tagum, and Compostela for their Campus Journalism training. These schools are run by Daughters of Mary of the Assumption-FMA.
I met Sr. Julie P. Roma, the vice president of the Assumption College of Nabunturan, Inc., as she welcomed the trainers. The school’s President is Sr. Myrna D. Taganas.
Most of the teachers are young, and, because of their exuberance, they listened attentively so they can help guide their students. This is the positive side when sharing something with a young audience.
They have an intense desire to learn as they establish themselves to become more credible and remarkable in the teaching field. This is also true with all the young teachers all over the country.
They are lifelong learners themselves. This is one trait of an effective teacher. Lifelong learning is the ongoing, voluntary, and self-motivated pursuit of knowledge for either personal or professional growth.
They are curious to learn and discover more. They keep acquiring new skills and capabilities past their formal education.
The idealism of our young teachers and even of the youth always embodies a sense of optimism.
I remember my younger self listening intensely to resource speakers and trainers. I allowed myself to discern their wisdom. The experiences of the “old” are testimonies of real events and possibilities.
Now, I am the resource speaker and trainer. I applied what I have learned. And I have the opportunity to share my experiences. I want to inspire others as how it was to me.
One of the teacher-participants, Kim Jane Narvasa, who organized the events and made sure everything went well was so attentive. Her interest is painted all around her. I saw my younger self in her.
One day, I know, she will be roaming around places too to inspire the young. After all, this is life. It’s a cycle of ends and starts.
Today, you are sitting and listening. Tomorrow, you are standing and sharing. Today, you are the student. Tomorrow, you are the teacher.