On becoming a Teacher

When I was a little boy there was no doubt in my mind that I would grow up to be an educator.
I was born so special. Although my mother was almost 40 years old when I was in her womb, I was born healthy and well-nourished. This made me special. My four brothers seemed to be my fathers, so I have five fathers, two adopted-sisters (older than me), and a supportive mother.
Since I grew up with older people, my mind matured early. My mother told me that when I was a toddler, I was laid on floor to choose among the things that will predetermine my future. There laid coins, pencil, rosary, book, ball pen etc. I don’t know why I chose the pencil.
I took my preschool education in a private school. However, my family couldn’t afford my schooling so I was sent to a public elementary school in our barangay. Then, I graduated with the highest honor. Because of honors I always received during recognition days, some of my neighbors and even the mother’s friends asked me to conduct tutorial class for their students. So, every Saturday, they went to our house. I taught them the basic skills especially Mathematics and English (Language and Reading). After the sessions, my mother would prepare us snacks like lemonade and biscuits. Sometimes I visited the house of my mother’s friend to teach her children. Most of my students were slow learners who failed the previous test or drop outs. I also have intelligent students. Their parents wanted to enrich their skills so that they would perform well in the class the next day.
I stopped tutoring rich and intelligent students when I was asked by one of my teacher to teach her child and she would pay me. The things I hated most were when I guided the child in making his assignments, he always asked me to answer his assignments and the next activities in their workbook. From then on, I never come back to their house. I don’t want the child to become dependent.
I was influenced by my teachers. When I graduated in elementary, I already perceived myself that I would be a teacher someday.
My family noticed that my hearing declined. I was diagnosed by an audiologist and found out that my ear drum was already perforated. I was only maintained with eardrops and medicines.
I took my first year in high school at a semi-private institution. We were a laboratory school so we’re just chosen 30 students. I was put up into the classroom with very intelligent classmates. After the school year, I was able to join in the rank of honors.
Again and again, my family couldn’t finance the high cost of tuition and even my daily allowance. So, they decided again to transfer me in a barangay high school. There I found out how private and public school differ from each other. Sometimes I got bored because the topics that are being discussed in the school had been tackled during my first year.
I developed my skills. When I was in elementary, I hated all subjects except Mathematics. I did not want to memorize, I wanted an application of what was taught. Now, I started to appreciate Science, T.L.E, Filipino, English, Social Studies and MAPEH.
When I was 2nd year, my adviser told me to attend in the qualifying examination for student writer. I refused since I don’t have any idea on making a news, features, etc. When I was in elementary, our teacher would only bring us to the venue where contest for campus journalism is held. We just keep on looking at the children writing, drawing and lay outing inside the room; we did not know what they were doing. My adviser told me to read any newspaper. So, when I went home, I bought a newspaper and read it.
I attended the seminar and qualifying exam. I never knew how I was chosen as associate editor of our school publication. I didn’t know. Perhaps, it is because I was inspired by the newspaper I have read or I have actually this inclination in writing. Then, I won during the press conference.
I always got the highest recognition at the end of the school year. However, because of favoritism, I only graduated salutatorian in the class. They said that I was a transferee.
I took my college education at Naga College Foundation. It was not because my brother had finished his commerce degree here. The very reason is that, my favorite teachers in elementary and high school were products of this institution. So, I thought I could be liked them if I studied here in NCF.
It proved me to choose whether yes or no. Yes for the reason that I was inspired by my teachers to continue this education course. They become my embodiment and inspirations. I met a very loving teacher, very competent teacher, very thoughtful teacher, very strict yet inspiring teacher and so on. If you would ask me why I also have this ‘no’ answer. It was the influence of unloving, incompetent, careless and selfish teacher.
I remember the time I had attended the seminar on pre-service teacher education forum, CHED Commissioner Dr. Dominador Peralta once said, we can change what we have now today by being a teacher.
I am here at Naga College Foundation, daring, inspiring, aspiring to be a teacher and make it happen!