This was submitted as a school project and I thought I wrote this quite well, so I am sharing this.
I have known him for more than a decade
now, since college years. Even then, he exuded a sense of leadership not common
to most people our age at that time. As a young student leader he was able to
put up student-socio-civic centered organizations that eventually changed the
student life of many. He was strong-willed, goal-oriented, and empowering. Although
he was not majoring on education, it may have been apparent that he’s cut to be
an educator.
Graduation came. With millions going out
of college, and just a few limited jobs available, it was no wonder when I
found out that Mr. Francoise Noel Amaya, one of Adamson University’s most
indispensible student leaders, turned his back at medical school and welcomed
teaching. At that time, I thought it was convenient of him to do so. I know,
because I was also one of those who segued to teaching for it was the only
thing I could do – better than a call center job, I thought.
Years passed and we lost contact of each
other. I heard from a friend that he quit his teaching job at a small
Montessori to continue his studies. Good. He’s going to become a medical
doctor, after all. Just imagine my surprise when I learned he was taking up
Professional Teaching Certificate at the Philippine Normal University. So he
must be serious in going on to the bend and turn to the line of education.
“Teaching has rewarded me in ways I
can’t imagine”, I remember him telling me when we finally got to talk years
after college graduation. “Maybe it was my dream to become a medical doctor,
but it’s my vocation now to fulfill the dreams of those who want to become
one.”
He likes his work environment.
Assumption College has a supportive community. Just over a year ago, he was
diagnosed with Aplastic Anemia. Beset with what he may consider as his greatest
tribulation by far, the school never abandoned him. The Assumption community
was with him every step of the way to his recovery by raising funds, finding
blood donors, and joining him in prayers. Some parents of his students covered
almost half of his medical expenses that went for almost a year. “Thank you for
taking care of our daughters, now it’s our time to help”, they said in a
letter. “Kindness begets kindness” would be Noel’s epiphany.
Noel, as he is fondly called, has been
in the teaching profession for 11 years. He’s now on his ninth year at the
Assumption College, Makati City. With demonstrated diligence, he was promoted
to Coordinator of the Biology Department a few years ago. One of the challenges
he faces as a coordinator is dealing with teachers with different personalities
and making them work together. It is rather difficult to lead a team to achieve
a certain objective without offending anyone, but he sees to it that he gives
honest feedbacks, whether they affirm or hurt the people concerned. By
objectives it means ensuring that the curriculum content, departmental program,
K-12 implementation in the area of Science are appropriately addressed and
delivered.
Being a department leader, he is a
strong advocate of further professional development for teachers. Teacher
education and training, according to him, “helps the teaching staff be more
effective in their jobs, so pupils learn and behave better….” More so, “it
contributes to a positive ethos where people feel valued and highly motivated.”
Teacher education and training also makes for a learning-centered community in
which not only the pupils are gaining something but the teachers and other
staff as well.
He is also a firm believer of change.
The K-12 program is indeed a big change in the world of education. This change
is needed to address the needs of the 21st century learners. The
Philippines has long been the only country in Asia to have a 10-year basic
education cycle. If we want to remain competitive globally, we have to sync in
with the programs offered by developed countries. The use of mother tongue is
one of the main differences of K-12 from the previous education system. Noel
believes that this will promote not only patriotism and love of country but
also love of one’s roots or origins. English should still be part of the
instruction, as this has emerged to be an important language of international
business. We have to make sure that as much as we want to produce graduates who
are internationally competitive, nationalism should still remain as the core
foundation of their values even when they are already playing in the global
arena. He also stressed the importance of media education and environmental
literacy to create holistic individuals who contribute to the development of
the society and the world.
There are people who have taken to the
education profession even when they did not plan to in the first place. Like
Noel, I was among those who take this path out of accident. I have always
declared that I didn’t choose the teaching profession. It chose me when a mail inviting
me to teach at a certain learning institution landed at our home one fateful
day around ten years ago. I ignored it at first but the call persisted that it
got too loud to bear. So, I went ahead and heeded that call. And like Noel, I
have come to love this profession.
“I like the attention I am getting when
I am in front of a class.” one college professor said when asked why he chose
the teaching profession. Though he was just teasing, that very attention he’s
referring to is what makes this profession all-encompassing and challenging. Students
look up to that leader in front of the class. That leader effects change not
only on the lives of his students but also on those whose lives his students
will touch, which in the process shapes the society in the most implicit of
ways.
I dare say that teaching is a dangerous
profession. Given with the perpetuity of his influence, a teacher must be
careful in how he leads his class. Therefore, a teacher should be able to lead
his class in the proper direction. To do this, he must be properly tooled with
his own education and mastery of his subject area by continually developing his
skills through further education. He must also be aware of what is happening in
the society and the world, and keeps himself updated with the latest news,
trends, and even fashion. Finally, his brain and his heart must be in full function,
both in and out of the classroom.
Teaching here in Thailand makes me
realize how much of an influence I am to my Thai students. In a way, I am part
of shaping the future of this society. Like the many OFWs in other countries
who were compelled to take care of other’s children, than taking care of their
own, I feel like I am shaping the future not of my children but of others. But
I am going back. When I come back, I hope that I will have prepared enough to
face the challenges of being an educator in the Philippines. I am doing it one
step at a time. And this, is just one of the first steps of my preparation.
