IN THE EYE OF A STUDENT

DELIO B. SANNADAN

It’s almost three o’clock in the afternoon. The sky is leaden. Rain falls in chaotic drops; sounded like buzzing of angry bees.

The bell rings.

Good day, class!

Students hurried towards the exit, hoping to see parents and services who waited. Others stayed at the corridor, asking for the sun to show. Some run through the heavy fall just like rain is about to end. In the midst of hustle and bustle of the environment, one student stayed inside the classroom, with a piece of bread and a half full bottled water. He is sitting peacefully as if he is not part of the world. As if he is not affected by what’s happening outside. I asked myself, ‘’When was the last time I had this kind of harmony?” I was so puzzled and continued observing him. He had his first bite, his second, until he finished eating the bread. Each bite shows how delicious the bread is and come to think again, “When was the last time I had this delightful gastronomical moment?” He took his water with a single gulp and enjoyed the very last drop just like on a television commercial. He looks like a model, then I wonder, ‘’When did I become a model even no one is watching?”

My amusement was disrupted with a rumbling sound from the sky. The thunder has awakened my sleeping solicitude until I realized that the kid was staring at me with curiosity. He looked at me the way a teacher looks at his students and I stared as if I was the student. It was an awkward scene. It was my first time to be stagnant with this kind of situation. The moment of silence ceased when he asked, “Is there anyone here?”

My jaw dropped with surprise. I never thought that he can’t see. I never thought that he is visually challenged. I never thought that he is blind. His eyes are beautiful and they speak so much of life. In his eyes you will see and realize the following:

In the eyes of a student, you are his peace maker; his peace giver. He stayed calm amidst the situation because he knows his teacher will give him peace through proper guidance and discipline. Remember the time when he seemed confused at home, you were there to direct his path, suggest matured advices and listen to his dramas. You were there to keep him still even the situation calls him not to be.

In the eyes of a student, you are his delightful sweet. He always enjoys each time he spends with you. Every small detail you share to him adds spice in his life. He becomes joyful for a simple, “good job, anak.” For him a bread tastes like a cake when you compliment and support him. In this world full of ‘’hanggangganyankanalangtalaga”, he expects you to be “kaya moyan, support kita”, this is areal quick transformation of bread to cake.

In the eyes of a student, you are his knowledge quencher. You are there to answer his curiosities and doubts. You are there to quench his thirst for knowledge and wisdom. You are there to feed him with useful techniques and strategies. You are there to cure the bitterness of ignorance; which is why every word you drop; every information you provide makes his learning purposive. In the eyes of a student, you are his role model. He sees you as someone who is near to perfection. He sees you as someone with flaws but never visible in his eyes. To him, you are a model he looks up to. You serve as a positive example of a person who is worth emulating. Remember the time when he didn’t want to listen to his parents but had the time to listen to you? Recall the time when he didn’t want to believe and follow his parents but preferred to believe and follow you. You are his teacher likewise his role model.

In the eyes of a student, you are a life toucher. You teach, but more so, you touch lives. It’s not only the mind that you feed, as well as the heart. Because of your passion and compassion, a life was changed; will be changed and is changing. You know how to love the unlovable. You know how to turn hate into love. You have the archetypal love even in diversities. You are what makes learning class A.

In the eyes of a student, he sees you like these; isn’t it rewarding? Even in the eyes of the blind, you will see and feel how you can make a difference. Hello, Teacher! You’re such an inspiration; a teacher with a heart for every learner.

— oOo—

The author is Secondary School Teacher III at Dr. Clemente N. Dayrit, Sr. Memorial High School

If there is one subject that students hate to Math, is the Filipino subject. This is why it is not easy to be a Filipino teacher, what with English being the medium of instruction, and being the second language of the most students nowadays.

It is up to us teachers to make our students enjoy the subject. Teaching a subject which is disliked by students is where we are able to test the limits of our profession.

Of course, it would take a lot of hard work and perseverance, but remember that patience is a virtue. In the end, everything will be worth it.

We must make sure that our students listen in the class, even though they don’t really like the subject. It may ne heartbreaking, but this is reality we must face.

There are ways to make them interested, we must find those ways. Also, teachers must respect their students and themselves. We must let them feel that we value their opinions. Why not let them express themselves in class and make suggestions? This way, we can transform these suggestions into action – which is already step towards an effective learning environment.

When students have questions about a panlapi or pang-abay, a teacher should make herself “accessible” to her students. Teach them, guide them, review with them. This will help a lot.

Teaching is a gift, which makes a difference in the lives of our students, when they love the subject we teach, they are able to enjoy the learning experience.

— oOo—

II at Baruya Elementary School, Lubao West District

The author is Teacher