Teachers are blessed with special talents and skills that are useful in fulfilling their noble task of molding the minds and character of the future generations of leaders, professionals, and responsible citizens. In this blog, I give situations that represent the body parts of a teacher.
BRAIN
My class schedule starts at 1:30 pm and ends at 3:00pm. I am wholly aware that this specific time is where everyone feels sleepy and heavy-eyed. I cannot afford to let my students feel such and just let the time pass. As a creative teacher, I would think of ways to turn my class from boring to a lively one. I would incorporate games in between discussions so I can guarantee that my students will never lose attention. If I have to bring them outside the classroom and teach them dance, I would gladly do so.
EYES
This pandemic made us to do things we never thought we can. Some of us brought out the best, some took worse. As a teacher operating under online setup for almost the entire academic year, I am well-oriented that this kind of setup may not be fitting for everyone to comply. My students came from different economic backgrounds. It breaks my heart that almost half of my class could not afford to attend my virtual class. So it become my initiative to sort out things and make sure that despite of their inabilities, I can help them continue their education. Having said that, I prepare offline copies of my instructional materials for those who can’t always go online and study. I also confirm that attending to our video conferences is not mandatory. This is the least I can do for them.
EARS
This generation of students is more likely want to be heard rather than to listen all the time. I did not find it degrading for my profession just because I’ll let them tell me how to do my job. First of all, I’m here to teach them and seeing my students voice out their concerns is maybe a great sign that they are learning, right? This particular practice of mine can be reflected whenever I give them my tasks. I always remind myself to ask them about how they feel about the task given to them. I always hear out their violent reactions and if there is any, came up with negotiation. I ensure that I ask them before, during and of course, after they’ve finished the task. In this way, with proper communication, I can guarantee that they are heard.
HEART
I am noticing that some of my students are mocking their other classmates because of their physical appearances. As alarming it can be, I conduct a homeroom forum so I can correct their misbehaviors. In this forum, I told them that mocking other people because of their physical features has no place in this school. I see them not from what they lack, but from what they can offer, so they should too. My love for them is regardless of how they look. I told them that the love they give towards other people should be the same with the love I’m giving them.
MOUTH
At the beginning of our discussion, my teacher mandated us to share a quotation about anything that we believe impart wisdom to its readers. Meanwhile, at the end of discussion, he would be the one to share us a quotation. He makes sure that we would not leave the classroom without having new wisdom to add to our lives. So every day, it si not just our minds that are filled but also our hearts.
NOSE
As the saying goes, “Once a teacher, always a student”. This profession is much exhausting than you can imagine. From your pre-service until your in-service education, you will feel overwhelmed with all the things you need to accomplish. But if you just know how to breathe and remind yourself that everything you do is for the greater good, everything will not that be tiring. You just have to know when to rest and give time for yourself.
HANDS
Mrs. Bustonera is a teacher in Filipino. She always wanted to also teach values education because she treats her students like her own kids and she feels like teaching them good manners is also her job. But as she grows older in teaching, she outgrew this mindset. She now then realized that you don’t have to teach values education just so you can impart moral lessons to your students. It may be an advantage for you but you can always integrate these moral lessons in your discussion. Well, in fact, there is plenty of Filipino literature that inspires readers to act humanely.
FEET
As a history teacher, at the end of every academic year, I arranged a museum tour for my students. These educational trips are what make them appreciate more our subject. The historical facts, fossils, artifacts presented at their very eyes help students to learn through authentic experience and can be an interesting way to explore new things.
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