This isn't about a poem or story that I usually make or a successful or catastrophic romantic conquest that I post. I am writing after watching Maestra by Carl Balita productions, which truly inspired me to write this piece. This is something that I really want to talk about:
I'm a teacher in real life, a fresh grad teacher. Behind the pen name PianoWriter, I go around with "Sir Nick", as the name my students call me. I'm a computer teacher here in the Philippines, where I teach grades four to ten, and one senior ICT (Information and Communications Technology) class. And let me just tell you how fulfilling this had been for me. I was initially inspired by my fourth year high school adviser, Sir Von Relucio, who taught me never to give up on people, as he never gave up on his students--us.
More often than not, teachers are viewed as dispensers of knowledge. Well it is, in its purest sense, true. We impart knowledge based on the subject that we teach, and how the students can use them in real life, should the time require them so.
When I first began college, in my mind I had this idea that I have to master the computer so that I can be considered an effective and legitimate teacher. I listen intently to lectures on how to use different programs, and even went ahead to install them on my computer just so I can learn while I'm not in school. When I took the National Certificate II (NCII) Computer Systems Servicing, I thought I was one step closer to being an effective teacher, with a proper credential.
I took Principles of Teaching I and II under the same professor, Dr. Silpa Bahian. If you study in Technological University of the Philippines, College of Industrial Education (TUP - CIE), you were probably threatened by her aura. But let me just say this now: she was one of the best professors I've ever had. She taught me pedagogy or the art of teaching in its purest sense. She taught me how to deliver myself to the students and how to be professional.
But then, a year later, I took the Professional Industrial Education (PIE) 14 subject, which is basically in-campus teaching. I became a student teacher, and finally wore a student teacher uniform, distinguishing you from lower years and a proof that you are just a few step closer to becoming a teacher. I went and thanked my previous student teachers as I was now one of them. It was a great honor for me that one of their student has now stepped on the same stage.
I was teaching third year college students in our own campus, under the supervision of Professor Allan Villariza, who was also my major computer adviser when I was in third year college. And just when I thought I knew everything, I've forgotten the art of teaching. I was nervous! But Professor Villariza supervised us well and made sure that we will take care of our own. Now, I'm aiming to be a professor in TUP, just like him.
Our professor on PIE14 was Dr. Merlyn Bahian, the elder sister of Dr. Silpa Bahian. Despite her age, she was exceptionally jolly while remaining her strict aura. She has this mother-like nature where we felt we were safe underneath her wings. We had funny moments with her as our professor, and what I learned from her is teaching by heart. It was because of Dr. Merlyn that I truly fell in love with teaching, and it wasn't just the mastery of the lesson, but the compassion for students. I also felt it with our thesis adviser, Dr. Cherrypyn Barbacena. She is the most strict professor in CIE and first years are really afraid of her. But when you get to be one of her students, you will see for yourself that she is the professor that values your learning more than anything. She will throw you in the pit of challenges but trust me, you will emerge victorious. Because for Dr. Barbacena, "Ang importante sa akin ay natuto kayo, and napamahal kayo sa subject na tinuturo ko" (What's important for me is that you learned, and you fell in love with my subject).
These teachers, professors, maestros and maestras, they are the mentors that this world needs. The world need teachers who touch the lives of their students and teach them not just what they need to know intellectually, but for them to know what it is that is in their hearts.
And then, my final subject, PIE15 which is OUT-CAMPUS teaching. I became a student teacher in a real public school with young, grade nine students. There I learned diskarte or tricks under Sir Arvin Valdeviezo. It was the most challenging part of my life. But then again, I remember the teachings of my previous mentors and I used them to carry on. I remember when I was finished, my students didn't want me to leave, but I had to. Even now they say thank you to me every now and then, and I can't seem to help it but to keep an eye on them, even though I'm no longer their student teacher.
If you've watched Dead Poet's Society, wherein Mr. Keating's students stand atop their tables in honor of him, it truly depicts the essence of teaching, and it became my goal as a teacher:
My dream is to one day, at least one student of mine, will visit me as I age and wither, just to say thank you for being my teacher. Thank you for not giving up on us.