Teaching..
They say it’s a noble profession... With all the hard work a teacher does like studying and working at the same time, preparing the lesson, making sure that all the things he/she will teach his/her students are correct. It is a crime when a teacher comes to his/her class not well-prepared.
I am fortunate to have experienced being a teacher. I took up Secondary Education major in Social Studies and passed the Licensure Examination for Teachers right after graduation. But after graduation, I didn’t pursue teaching due to financial conditions. I know teaching won’t give me enough to support my family. So I entered government service where I can have a bit higher salary than what a teacher gets.
Last year, I decided to teach. Not because I will be leaving my job in the Supreme Court but because I envy teachers who are very fond of sharing their knowledge and experiences to their students. Example is my brother, Jan, my gurlfriend Ate Daye, and my friend, Amiel. So I talked to my favorite professor who is now a Dean of the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy in Bulacan State University. Luckily, I was given a chance to teach Philippine Government and the 1987 Constitution to the 4th year Architecture students.
As I was on my journey of sharing my thoughts and knowledge to my students, there is always that fear of not meeting their expectations. I dressed up, never repeated my clothes and bags for the entire semester. I used three of the best books I have ever read as my reference materials. I prepared my own writing pens, white board markers and erasers solely intended for teaching. I tried to lessen my “katarayan or kasungitan” by giving jokes which I think never worked.
Also on my journey, I have to pass requirements as an instructor to my Dean, such as Daily Time Record, Personal Data Form, ATM account, etc. But I never followed my deadlines. Why? I’m not really interested with the salary that teaching gives. In fact, if I sum up the amount that I will get after the 1st semester, it won’t tally with the expenses I incurred for teaching such as test paper printing, answer sheets (I always bring yellow paper for my students), expenses in accomplishing the requirements (3 copies of NSO birth certificate amounting to 900php, NBI clearance, etc..), new dresses, shoes and bags, and my treat to my students after a bloody exam (pizza and drinks), not to mention the tax that I will pay for the fiscal year due to the increase in my tax bracket.
With the experiences I had with accomplishing all the things I need to accomplish just to have my salary, I am nearly disillusioned about believing that teaching is a noble profession. All I can say is that I am not interested. You can give me teaching loads even without a salary. I am not interested to become a member of the faculty but I just want to teach.
When I was in high school, I was the training officer of CAT-WAS I. I was given a chance to teach COCC trainees. During my college days, I became active in student politics which gave me the chance to teach the future leaders of our country by giving them seminars and trainings. I was also a student teacher in BSU laboratory high school. After graduation, I was still active in seminars and trainings given to student leaders all over the country.
I did all of this without salary. I did all of this because I love doing this. And that’s all that matters. If this is noble, I don’t care. I just want to teach. I love being a teacher.
Odd because I have big eyes. Hehe!
To lessen my transportation expenses and at the some time, exercise.
(I already got this one! Happiness)
(My mom is already complaining because she doesn't know where to put my dresses.)
