WHAT TEACHERS OUGHT TO BE

MARIA TERESA C. MALUNTAG

“When I grow up, I want to be a teacher.” This is what I would always say, without a blink, whenever I introduce myself in front of the class back when I was in elementary. I was so determined to be a teacher. Why not? Most of my teachers were my inspirations. I will never forget how kind my teachers were. They were angels to my eyes until now. They were so kind that the whole class would cry when the school year ends.

I was lucky I met great teachers along the way. They were the reasons why I decided at my young age that I will be a teacher. What made them great in my eyes? Well, one thing sure, I remember how kind my grade one teacher is but I can’t tell how good she was in teaching… I just remember her for being kind. My high school teacher in Home Economics was as kind. I remember him using hands of steel to the naughty boys in class but were so careful in dealing with the girl students. He was like a father to me.

It is for this reason that I have become a teacher as kind as my inspirations. I have been trying my best to inspire students every day since I started teaching. I have seen and experienced how kind and caring teachers could change the lives of the students and leave a mark in their hearts and minds. It is this kindness that give students the motivation not only to try to do good in their studies but all the more to be better persons. Their teachers give them the drive to continue striving despite the difficulties they encounter every day.

The teacher does not only teach, more importantly they inspire. William A. Ward said, “The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.”. What kind of a teacher should we be? Be a teacher that inspires and be an agent of the change we all wish for the youth. Be a great teacher.

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The author is Master Teacher I at Camachiles National High School