I still remember standing there in my high school physics teacher’s classroom, momentarily frozen as those words echoed around the room. He was reacting to my declaration: “I’m going to college to take up Bachelor of Education. I want to be a teacher.”

            For a moment I found myself doubting my decision. We all know it’s a challenge in education to attract bright, intelligent, motivated, passionate people to the field.

            Yes, we work in a field where over 30% of new teachers leave within the first three years. We work in a field with high demands. The hours are long. The work can be frustrating and arduous.

            But it is an amazing field, too. It is so wonderful to watch a struggling student suddenly experience the “light bulb” moment, when confusing new skills or concepts suddenly become clear.

            Every day, as I greet those faces coming into my door, some arriving with smiles, some looking serious, some with dark circles caused by allergies or asthma or poor sleep or worries, I remember that for the next class period, all of those faces are counting on me to help them become better writers Becoming a Teacher

, readers, speakers, listeners, and thinkers. It is a huge responsibility.

            I was fortunate to have several high school teachers I deeply respected, including my supportive English teacher, band director, and choir director.

                        But those words have stuck with me. “You could do so much more.”

                        My teacher was right. I do so much more, because I can.

            So when someone says to you, “I’ve been thinking about becoming a teacher,” pause for a moment. What is the “so much more” that you do? What is the “so much more” that this person can bring to teaching? What response can we give to support and encourage others in doing so much more for our 

students?

 

By: Carmie Louh G. Guevarra | T-I | Limay National Highschool