It was one Monday morning of June, a grade three teacher was very excited to come to school, and it was actually her first day of teaching. She prepared all the things she needed a night before this much awaited time of her life. She glanced herself at the mirror, wore a smile and left the house. A glimpse on her face will make you conclude that she was so excited about that day. During her first week, everything went smoothly, but to her dismay the next few weeks did not turn out the way she wanted to, and those weeks were nightmare for her.

        She encountered misbehaved students who bullied their other classmates; some of them destroyed things when she was not around, and some were inattentive during discussion. These were head cracking problems inside her classroom and she almost gave up. But she thought of this, “Is giving up the solution to the problem?” She evaluated herself and found out that naggings will not be of any help. She decided to change her ways. Instead of punishing her students, she started to be nice to them but made sure of her boundaries and limitations. From that time on, she noticed that her pupils changed their behavior.

         Teachers should know the problems of her students, why they misbehave or bully their classmates and do something about it. Most misbehaved students seek love, they are hungry of attention. As a teacher you must let them feel their importance. Let them feel that they are trusted. Give them assignments and praise them every time they do good. I am sure they will be motivated in doing things that will make you happy. Talk to them, in that way they will realize that you care for them.

         Remember, the lessons that the teachers taught their students will be easily forgotten, but the way they treat them will definitely leave a mark and will be treasured forever.

By: Teresita M. Lopez | Teacher I | Limay Elementary School | Limay, Bataan