This blogpost was published in July, 2013 as part of my requirements in completing my Professional Teaching Certificate at UP Open University.
“Make your passion your profession.” – 3 Idiots The Hindi movie 3 Idiots made me realize that if I want to be successful in life, I should pursue a career that is closest to my heart. After college, I took the forester’s licensure exam and thankfully became a licensed forester. After this venture, I still don’t know where I’m headed, then, came an opportunity to teach high school students here in Quezon City, and the rest, they say, is history. |
I'll pick it up from what I emphasized the most in my graduation speech during my college commencement exercises, because I simply can't help but stress too much on the fact that I never really envisioned myself as a teacher. As young as ten years old I already knew what I wanted to be when I grow up, a lawyer. My Lola used to attend a prominent law school at that time and while she was studying for the Bar examinations, her collection of books really fascinated me. But the turning point of my decision to possibly pursue a teaching career started way back in 3rd year of high school, when I met one of the most remarkable homeroom/math teachers I have ever encountered in my years of schooling, Mrs. Chichioco. I was never fond of math; I was that kid who had this ever traumatic experience with flash cards because everyone else knew the answers once the flash cards were raised while I was still busy skip counting. But in her class, all of sudden, I learned to love my arch nemesis. Math proved to be as exciting as my favorite subjects, science and history. And to make things even more interesting, she was one of the few teachers who have touched my life and has influenced my views of being an educator up to now. She went beyond her teaching duties and tackled life lessons that I completely treasure. It is because of her that I considered writing down “Bachelor of Secondary Education” as one of my programs of choice when I started applying for my desired colleges/universities, which I eventually took up in the school I have long dreamt of being in, the Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas. When my mom learned about this, she was devastated. She felt like I was throwing away so much potential, that I was too smart to be "just" a teacher (she wanted me to take up a pre-med program and eventually go to med proper and be our family’s first doctor). But that wasn’t my dream, and in as much as I would’ve wanted to please her and be her personal cardiologist, I just didn’t have the guts to take up medicine as I am easily petrified by blood and minor injuries. And so I ventured on to the track that I chose, it wasn’t the easiest because teaching kids is not an easy task, as many would assume. I’ve experienced being discriminated and belittled, hearing such condescending remarks such as “eduk ka lang naman, ang dali dali lang dyan sa college nyo eh.” Such retorts only made me stronger, proving to people that Teachers are smart people because you can’t possibly teach what you do not know and the simple fact that knowing something is entirely different from imparting what you know, especially to a bunch of kids that are, practically, blank slates and have no idea what the hell it is you are talking about. But I never saw teaching as a task that I had to continuously carry out for the rest of my life, but a craft which I had to hone through years of experience with wonderful children, each having a unique and colorful story of their own. Each school year that passes by is a different journey with a new set of kids, learning altogether; they learn from me and I from them.
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My years in the academe have been very precious, each year proving to be more and more challenging, but even more rewarding every single time. I am thankful that the Lord has gifted me with a retentive mind that enables me to freely and creatively share what I know to my students to the point that I even tend to go beyond the actual syllabus that we have at times. The delight of seeing them grow and achieve so much in life gives you this feeling of delight and satisfaction that, in all honesty, no amount of money can pay. I now realize what my Dad has always told me about the profession that I chose. He’s always told me that this was a “noble” profession, because it entails more giving than receiving; that if I plan on having a family and raising kids, the paychecks that I get won’t be enough. To some extent, I could testify that that is indeed true, but in my heart I know that I was made to teach. I can never see myself in a different field aside from teaching, because this is what I do BEST. We may not be paid as much as CEO’s of companies nor do we have the luxury of having vacations because of the tight schedules that we have. But one thing is for sure, just being able to teach young kids and the thought that such acts can make a big difference in the country I am living in is already reason enough to keep doing this. I want to make a difference, to leave an imprint in this world; and I can proudly say that as early as now, I already have.
How about you? What are you destined to become? Find your passion and pursue it, regardless of what people say, you are at your very best when you are doing what you love :) |