KYSD...the life of a teacher...

Teaching comes with learning. Being a teacher is not an easy job but they say the most stable as well. The “know your school day” of UP is one way for students to experience the task of the teachers. Since my first year in UP, I always apply for the position of being one of the subject teachers. In my first year, I became the Filipino and Science teacher at the same time. In my second, third and fourth year, I was the Filipino teacher of the section where I belong. I really love Filipino that is why I always teach that subject.

It was not easy. I have to plan first what I would teach during that day to my classmates in a way that they would understand the lesson same as they have understood with our original teacher. Keeping their ears on me while I’m talking was not very possible. There are some who are chatting and whispering with their seatmates. There are also some who frequently ask questions which is so flattering in my part because it implies that they have learned something from my discussions. There are also sometimes that they ask a question which I myself also do not know the answer so what I did is to ask to our original teacher. It was this time that I have concluded that when we teach, we also learn. In the discussion the students also share their ideas and at the same time adding also to your knowledge. The interaction with the students also let me feel that we have something in common. It is that, all of us are learning. Upon entering the classroom with the students greeting you with a good morning or good afternoon made me feel that I am respected. All of us of course, demand for respect.

I really felt different when I sat at the teacher’s table in front of my classmates, me as a teacher and them as the students. I felt like I am really a professional teacher with intelligent students infront of me. I was afraid to make mistakes at first, but then I realized that nobody’s perfect. On my second year, yes, I was cautious infront but I was not afraid to commit mistake. A teacher should also be careful on the things that she says because students would believe on everything they say because they are teachers not deceivers.

My experience left many realizations in me. I realized that the future really depends on the teacher. They are the ones who mold the students into well-rounded persons. They shape their future. I also believe that teachers should possess these characteristics:

T-eachable

E-arnest

A-pproachable

C-ourteous

H-onest

E-fficient

R-eliable

I admire all the teachers who possess these characteristics. I salute to all of you for without you we are not here with the knowledge that you poured into our minds. Thank you for all the teachings you have shared with us and thank you for being patient to students like us.