Teaching with joy

Having been a classroom teacher, school principal and administrator and general education supervisor before my retirement from the DECS then, I will readily submit that teaching is one of the most difficult jobs there is in this side of the globe. Difficult because in addition to the 5 or 6 courses that a teacher teaches, she is also tasked to integrate in her lessons a slew of government projects and programs. These relate to cleanliness and beautification, health and nutrition, climate change, tourism, population management, etc. During natural calamities the teachers double as health workers helping attend to the physical well-being of the evacuees. Sooner than later they will be required to train in preparation for their critical role in the automated elections in May next year.

Our teachers have long understood and admitted that these concerns are an integral part of their work. As such they have earned the moniker “jack of all trades,” a handyman of sorts.

What is truly amazing is the fact that in spite of their classroom overload we have teachers who, instead of fretting and moping their time away, find joy and satisfaction in fulfilling their teaching responsibility. Indeed, these are the teachers who can easily warm the cockles of our heart and gain our deepest respect.

I remember vividly an old-timer Grade I teacher who came to school one early morning feverishly nursing a head cold. I saw that what the teacher needed was a little rest for a day or two. But when I suggested to her to take a leave, she politely begged to be allowed to remain for the sake of the children. I surmised that this selfless teacher was happy to stay in spite of her being indisposed, putting the best interest and welfare of her students above her own health. Such dedication and commitment to service is now rarely seen among many of our so-called public servants.

I personally knew of many teachers who made teaching a delight instead of a drudgery. These are the happy teachers who made their classroom look like a little heaven and the school children feel like little angels. Whenever the class became restless and noisy, they simply quieted them down by wowing the children with attractive and colorful picture stories. This is one technique that instills proper class decorum in a creative and positive manner.

Occasionally when a school day seems dull and gloomy, it is the cheerful teacher with a rainbow of smile on her face that brings in sunshine back to the classroom. She would not hesitate to sing and dance with her students, contaminating them with her energy and enthusiasm. Sufficiently stimulated the class would become alive again ready for the next lesson or activity. Invariably it is the pro-active teachers that make the students stay in school until they complete their course.

More than a source of livelihood, many teachers consider their vocation as a gift from the Lord to be treasured dearly. As they plod along they look back at their mistakes as learning experiences to improve on. They look at problems as challenges and focus on solutions instead of complications. They just work happily to the best of their ability, taking care not to tarnish or ruin the good name and dignity of their profession.

In my 40 long years of working with teachers, it was my objective observation that teachers with genial personality and disposition, who taught with joy in their heart were more effective and efficient in producing satisfactory results in terms of student performance in the classroom. It is hoped that this was still the situation at present.

May the tribe of happy teachers continue to increase!

ANTONIO A. MORAN is a retired general education supervisor living in Camalig, Albay.