HAIL TO THE TEACHERS!

In celebration of the National Teacher’s Month (September 5-October 5), I wish to belated greet my teachers who have inspired me to follow in their footsteps as I recently became a teacher myself.  My recent discovery of the fulfillment and sacrifices teachers experience gave me more respect for their chosen vocation.  

Most of the time teachers are overlooked. And most folks do not find a career in teaching as prestigious and lucrative as other professions. Ask any young people what they want to be when they grow up and they would almost always say “doctor, nurse, engineer, architect, or lawyer.” Teachers are almost always taken for granted, despite their great influence in the community. So it is no wonder that, out of all the professions in this world, teachers are given their own recognition day (UNESCO declares October 5 as World Teacher’s Day), which they so much deserve.

From teachforthephilippines.org

Despite the low interest in teaching as a profession, one local organization is encouraging Filipinos to teach. Teach for the Philippines aims to address the perennial problem of teacher shortages in public schools by recruiting college graduates and young professionals to teach. It also seeks to end education inequity in this country, striving to narrow the disparity in the quality of education between private and public schools by creating opportunities for the best and the brightest people to share their knowledge to underprivileged kids. 

While access to education is a universal right, it should be complemented with good quality education. Unfortunately in this country, quality education comes with a high price tag. But public school children, though enjoying free education, also deserve to have quality learning.  This advocacy for quality education does not necessarily depend on large amount of money (though financial resources are also critical). It only takes a community of dedicated and committed individuals to serve as teachers who can make this vision a reality. And Teach for the Philippines proves just that.

 

Aside from my own teachers, I salute the passion and sacrifices of the fellows from Teach for the Philippines. There are around 50 of them currently teaching in high-need public schools in Metro Manila and they are committed to teach for the next two years. These fellows are not just idealistic and impassioned teachers but they are equipped to be transformational teachers who will serve as mentors to underprivileged elementary school kids. 

It is comforting to know that there are young fellows who are committed to invest in education and contribute to nation building. Having been educated themselves, they are now 'paying it forward' and sharing with the kids the opportunity to learn and most importantly, to dream.. I am confident that these young people and the younger ones they will greatly influence, will create positive changes to the future of our nation.  

Indeed, there is hope in this country after all…