I stand in a corner in bookshelves looking for something to read as I scan one book to another a book catches my attention.  “A Teacher’s Confession” hmm sounds interesting.  As a teacher I would like to know what does it in store for its readers.

I got the book and sat in one of the benches inside the library and find myself opening the pages one by one.  It says in its introduction the journey she had gone through.  When she had finished her studies she really dreamed to become one of her mentors.  How she sculpt in her mind that one day she will stand in front of her students eager to learn.  As she tries to impart with them all the knowledge she has.

But on the next chapter she told how it was hard to treat them like her own child.  For the children are no children he expect to be- eager to learn and listens attentively.  This is the challenge she had faced all thru her first quarter of teaching.  Frustrating as she said but soon she learned little by little how to get their attention and soon become more like one of them for them to perform well. 

All things she tried and well it works but one day she noticed a student of her has been absent for a couple of days. She started asking her pupils what happened to him,  he is an eager learner.  There she learned that the student was forced to stop studying because his mother forced him to do jobs in the field.  His father was ill and her mother had to take care of his siblings and do some extra jobs to sustain their daily living.  This made her sad, she decided to visit him.  And she did, when she arrives the student was very shy.  “You don’t have to go here teacher”, he says.  I am just concerned of your schooling.  May be I could be of help.  If you want I can ask the principal to hire you as part time janitor.  The boy could not hide how happy he is to return to school.  But not the parents who beg to disagree.  I did everything to convince them.  I could not imagine how these parents would not agree to such a deal for their son’s future.  We ended up with the agreement that if they will allow their son he will come to my class tomorrow.  That night I prayed and beg for God’s mercy to touch these parents for the good of their son.  Come morning,  I am early to my room hoping he will come.  As I check everybody’s attendance still I noticed his seat still vacant.  I about to lose hope but when I call on the last student he come running with his torn bag.  Happily saying “present maam.”  I can’t help but cry and soon he did cry too saying thanks you very much teacher.  I won’t forget you till end of my life.

Years had gone fast soon it was graduation day there he stood not as the brightest but one of the top ten in the graduates.  After the ceremony they did approach me and said I will finish my studies just what you want me to do.  My father had pass away till remembers you and told me to fulfill my dream.  At the back of my mind I am amazed of what had happened out of that simple act I made.

And this is the confession I want to share with all my students and fellow teachers…

By: Mrs.Ria O. Garcia | TEACHER III | PILAR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | Pilar, Bataan