THE MORE YOU TEACH, THE YOUNGER YOU GET

JENNIE F. VILLACRUEL

Folks have spoken and I began to wonder about it on my own. Why do teachers age slowly? I have heard it from my elders and it drove me into a one big aspiration in life… To be a teacher. It brought me into a long journey. It felt like I have traveled leaps and bonds. It was like a living pic-a-boo that never failed to stop giving me surprises.

I was startled. It startled me to face those little heads with infinite ideas. Suddenly, confusion rattles my head on the main role I should be playing in front of those little heads. Teaching, indeed, isn’t a joke. The unending tasks and paperwork bother me every single teaching day. I want to spend more time with my students; however, other categories of tasks put me into a panic mode. Many of the millennial students would always endear me with their lovely comment that I didn’t even age a day since they graduated. I know in the back of my mind that those were just endearing statement to lessen the everyday stressors of this job. This day, I decided to be late for work. I enjoyed a warm bath longer than the usual shower jippies I usually do. I comb my hair momentarily in front of the mirror. It was like looking at the mirror 10 years ago. I admit that stress bogs me down every day and I would always sleep less than five hours a day. Did I cherish what I have been doing for the past years? Do I still see myself doing this job for the next 20 years of my life?

I simply nod while looking at my reflection in the mirror. I felt young and refreshed. This job has provided me all the complete ingredients for a meaningful life. So, the journey continues. I hurried so I won’t be late seeing those cute little heads at school.

— oOo—

The author is SST-I at Rafael L. Lazatin Memorial High School (Main)