It was only 14 months ago when I got a second career. My first career is being a teacher since 2001 until present. I decided to get married 4 years ago and was blessed to have a baby after almost 2 years of being married. Carrying a baby in my womb was tough and I had to stop working for a year to secure my pregnancy. I felt heaven when I got my little girl in my hand. I felt like I am whole as a woman. I got a new and whole family. Being a mother gives a great feeling but with great responsibilities. You are dealing with a little vulnerable creature that is helpless and relies only to you. And I am also wife- a wife to an overseas employed in the different part of the world which means we have a big time difference to deal with. Adjusting to his time of rest or day off so that we can chat, catch up and talk is necessary for me to be called a good wife. And when he comes back home for a month, I have to play my role as a wife- a better wife. I didn’t expect that a being wife and a teacher is tough because I thought being a working mother is typical. I have to perform 24/7 to my two careers- as a mother when I am off from school and a teacher during my class. Shifting roles was not easy at the start because I was with my baby 24 hours from birth until 6 months. But I managed to adjust after a while. I started to trust my mother on her skill in taking care of my daughter and I asked the help of my sister-in-law who also has small kids.
My baby feels comfortable with my sister-in-law, this makes me feel good and easier to leave my daughter under her care. The moment I enter the school, I have to shift my mind. I start to think about the lessons and work, the students, my peers and my superiors. As a teacher I am also a mother to my students. I have to teach them not only the lessons in the classroom, but also the lessons in life. I have to mold and form their brains and hearts to become the person they can be proud of. I have to instill discipline, trust, loyalty and integrity. And as their teacher I have to walk my talk. I can’t commit mistakes as they expect me to be a perfect teacher and a role model.
In both of my careers, as a teacher and a mother, I have to be a good example, a perfect model and a molder of young minds and souls. At first this was tough, but now I learned how to change gears from school to home and home to school. I make sure not to leave my other foot at work or athome so I can focus in my role wherever I am.
By: Mary Grace M. Navarro | Teacher – II Mathematics| Bataan National High School | Balanga City, Bataan
