Imbibed in the world of paperwork, flexibility and adjustment, learning capability, and human tension, how will one cope up and meddle with the hardships of teaching? Guess so many answers ravel in your mind. Just like me. Can you tell me how to toss it up and provide answers to these loopholes? Let me tell you a story.
I feel like I’m floating. I grew up with a clear vision in mind, which is to work hard and aim for success to leave poverty behind. I want to be a lawyer someday or a doctor, but financial constraints led me to the path of teaching. Nope, it’s not a choice I so desire as a career but let me tell you first that I am thankful for it. Just to clarify. When I finished my bachelor’s degree and passed the board exam after mumbling all the prayers I know and can speak of, I knew I made the right choice. To delve into the world of teaching is a graceful return to those people who helped me become who I am.
And so I got in! A public school teacher at last! Thank you, Lord. But now that there is a changing environment, tousled feelings, and struggles to cope embodied the whole idea of being a public servant in me. It is very challenging. First, there is a lesson that you have to study and be engaged with in order for learning to effectively happen. Understanding and being an expert in this line of field is a must, anyways, how will you teach an idea you don’t know? Add to that the pandemic era that changed the lives of every man living on earth. These hardships added an anchor to the aching heart of this distressed human. Work assignments pile up. The training was needed to help me up with the responsibilities I signed up for. From there, the environment of people who negatively speak their minds also shattered the compassion I had for myself. I am telling you this because mind you, I cried a lot because of that. I am thankful now that I was given a chance to speak before you in that way you’ll know how I feel. I am contemplating the current load I was assigned in. It is deteriorating.
Riiiiiinnnnggggggg.
I woke up and look around. Yes, it was just a dream. I toss around, got up, and prepare myself as this is another beautiful Monday I have to explore. As I got out of the tricycle, a smiling human being in the 8th grade greeted me good morning and helped me with my stuff. I said thank you and she gladly said welcome to me. I stepped up inside my room and saw my advisory class helping each other to finish their performance task. I even had a bonus food pack on my table with a simple note, “Para po sa inyo Ma’am”. I asked them who is the angel who gave me this blessing, but no one answered. I just thank all of them though. When the bell rang, I stood in front and presented the lesson, which for this day, is about the Human Reproductive System. I saw my students who eagerly listens and shared their ideas with every question I throw them. At the end of my 50-minute teaching, I got a straight perfect score result from these earthlings. Happy me.
When I took the Oath, I cried with a thankful heart and prayed for a space in the educational system. And I had one. Plenty of professional teachers tried and applied, and I was included among the lucky ones. The workload may be tough, the learning struggle is real, and there is this competition to always find ways to extend knowledge to other people. These, together with learning deficiencies in the system rolled into one may seem unbearable but I must go on! Tough as it may seem, the fruit of being in this noble profession will always be an engaging gift that will restore my soul and light the fire in me. Whenever I feel tired, whenever hope is no longer visible, when hardships come running all at once, I look up and count the blessings and positivity in teaching. Kind smiles, warm hugs, heartfelt thank you, and the evolution of unforgettable learning ideas make me their lifetime “Ma’am”. How one will not love that?
To all the teachers braving their souls, you are not alone. I too felt that. I hope you find in you your very purpose of being a teacher. Just like me. I too feel pain. I come to a point when I feel so tired to continue. But in my distress, I called the Lord. I cried to God for help. From his temple, he heard my voice, and his loving arms carried me. And I know you can to!
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