Goodbye my teacher, goodbye

Ang hirap maging estudyante, ngunit sa kada pagtatapos ng klase, mas mahirap maging guro. Habang masaya nang nagcocomply ang mga estudyante, heto naman siyang nagcocompute ng grades. At habang excited na ang lahat na grumadweyt, eto naman siyang nagsisimula nang ma-miss sila at ang kanilang moments sa loob ng classroom.

Hindi lang siya SoCCom Coordinator sa parokya, isa rin siyang guro na dahil sa layo ng eskwelahan sa Marilog ay araw-araw siyang nakiki hitch, makauwi lang ng bahay nila sa Tagakpan. Maiinspire tayo sa kwento ni Jeffren.

Dear KNOT,

I was in Kindergarten when I first dreamed of becoming a teacher. I loved the way my preschool teacher teaches, and she was one of the people who inspired me to be a teacher. She was a fountain of knowledge and model of good will. No matter what my parents would tell me that being a teacher is a tiresome job, and that nobody ever got rich because of it, this dream never faded. I was not moved by their persuasive speeches during family gatherings after dinner, convincing me to take business-related courses just like my forefathers. I just covered my ears because I really wanted to become a teacher – I want to mold lives of young children, and I want to touch the future. And so that’s it. I took up education, and I thank God for leading me to the right path.

As I venture into the world of teaching, I learned that the job of a teacher is not just to teach the necessary information for students’ survival in the world of work. A teacher is also the students’ second parent, mentor, and friend. A teacher experiences all these roles as they grow in this noble profession that they have chosen.

Now I am on my third year of teaching already. Two weeks more to go, the school year is about to end, and students and teachers are already busy preparing for the moving up ceremony. While sitting on the bleachers, flashback of memories that I had with my students began to occupy my mind. I closed my eyes and began reminiscing.

I personally witnessed my students’ growth – their face of innocence and bamboozlement when they were still in Grade 7; their eagerness to learn even if the pressure of being a Junior High School student consumes their whole being; the status of being a ‘novice’ in terms of school competitions — And there I was, the Grade 7 teacher, who tries his best to motivate and uplift their young spirits despite their shortcomings…there I was, the Grade 7 teacher who served as a candle to light their way; the Grade 7 teacher who patiently explained that life’s challenges can make them stronger in the future; the Grade 7 teacher who really tried to make difficult English and Literature lessons easy for their smart young minds, honing them to be the best that they can be in the future.

As I opened my eyes, I saw them, my very own students – dalaga at binata na – very different from the first time I saw them. I was astonished because of the drastic changes brought to them by puberty. They have indeed grown – mind, body, and spirit. My first batch is now in Grade 9, my second batch is in Grade 8. They have become more mature in terms of how they deal with life. However, as I look closer, I can still see their goofy personalities when they were still in Grade 7. Their innocence can still be seen in the way they greeted me “Good morning”, and when they make mano. After all, despite all the changes, they are still the kids that I used to teach and love.

I thank the Lord for making me a teacher, witnessing the students’ growth and making a difference in their lives, contributing to their success as they pass on the torch of education to the next generation. The joy in the teaching profession is indeed incomparable. My students may leave the four corners of our classroom, but the memories that we have shared together as a class and as a family shall always be carved in my mind, until my last breath.

Love,
JEFFREN P. MIGUEL
Grade 7 Adviser