Opinion

5 simple ways our teachers have changed the way we think

posted 123 days ago

(Roberto Verzo/ Flickr/ https://flic.kr/p/cMFBcJ)

Teaching is a noble profession. Sure, anyone can teach a few lessons on grammar or imaginary numbers, but only a few manage to impart valuable life lessons while teaching the Periodic Table.

It’s no longer surprising to know that our former teachers have left the country for greener pastures. Sadly, Filipino teachers are overworked and underpaid.

Although the Department of Education tries to lure in the best and the brightest teachers to work in the public sector, those who have been in the field for a long time are not pleased. Just a week ago, public school teachers staged a nationwide sit-down protest to call for higher salaries.

Despite receiving meager pay, managing rowdy students, and doing tasks not covered by their job description, teachers continue to pursue their passion.

World Teachers’ Month might have ended more than a month ago, but that doesn’t stop us from honoring the best teachers we ever had. Here are five things that we learned from them.

Elizabeth, 21, journalism graduate

“Back in high school, my fourth year class adviser taught us that there is nothing wrong with being competitive, and beautiful works of art can come from simple materials. When I reached college in UP, I learned from Ma’am Yvonne Chua (journalist and professor) that it pays to have the highest (work) standards, not because you just want to tire yourself from all the work, but because you just want to produce the best output you can.”

Teacher Appreciation — (balancinghome.com)

Camille, 20, teacher

“I think the best thing I learned from my teachers is to think critically, and that we should not accept things as they are. We should always ask the reason behind something, and be curious. We should all live dangerously through that.”

Melissa, 20, newspaper reporter

“I learned from my teachers that you will never be the best, but you can always try and improve yourself each time.”

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Chic, 39, college instructor

“I’ve learned from my grad school teachers at the UP College of Education that students should be respected as individuals with different characteristics, learning styles, and world view. Using all of these, students—with the guidance of the teacher—can make their own learning discoveries to make meaning of their world.”

Reez, 26, college instructor

“The best thing I learned from a teacher is the art and necessity of asking good questions. Much of what a student learns from us depends on the questions we ask them. There are so many things to consider, like the level and sequence of our questions. We also have to learn how to be spontaneous and rephrase our questions if we don’t get the desired response. At the same time, we also need to be flexible in accommodating answers which we didn’t even consider. Most important is that the way we ask students questions influences them on the way they ask their own questions. Learning and problem solving begin with asking good questions – and what I hope to impart to my students is that there is no such thing as a stupid question, only those that get unasked are.”

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