Each teacher has a story to tell how she/he became one.
Mine was rather accidental at first but I think it was providential, when I shifted gears in 1974 and put on a teacher’s hat, after working in the hospital for 12 years.
For 47 years, I was a member of a team in two campuses in our City, helping mold students to achieve their dreams of becoming professional nurses.
There were good days as well as bad days. I only hope I was able to make a difference in the lives of young students who were with me during those years.
I’d like to believe my former students have used their “wings” and are now leading productive lives all over the world. At least I can say I tried my best to perform my job as a teacher.
Many of them have told me how grateful they are for what I contributed to their nursing education; while some resort to selective inattention and choose to be unhappy despite the passing of the years.
Do teachers really leave a mark in the lives of their former students? Benjamin Franklin expressed it succinctly when he said: “A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.”
It was William Arthur Ward who said: “The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates; and the great teacher inspires.”
So which one are you? What are the indications that you are a great teacher?
You see each child as a child, and not as a diagnosis.
You see your class as individuals, not as a drawer full of case files.
You keep your sense of humor against all odds.
You deal with upset kids, clueless administrators, and pushy parents with grace and dignity.
You’re not afraid to be flexible and creative.
You know with whom to make a stand, and when to choose your battles.
You see parents as allies, not enemies.
You never give anybody any doubts as to why you went into teaching.
You love your job and it shows.
Your students love you, too.
What are the characteristics of a great teacher?
Great teachers set high expectations for all students.
Great teachers have clear, written-out objectives.
Great teachers are prepared and organized.
Great teachers engage students, and get them to look at issues in a variety of ways.
Great teachers form strong relationships with their students, and show that they care about them as people.
Great teachers are masters of their subject matter.
Great teachers communicate frequently with parents. (GreatSchools Staff, 2016)
As Education Sec. Leonor Magtolis-Briones celebrated National Teacher’s Day on Oct. 5 with the theme Gurong Pilipino, Ka-akbay sa Progreso, and as World Teachers Day is celebrated with the theme Teaching in Freedom, Empowering Teachers, I join the world in greeting our great inspiring teachers a happy teachers’ day!
_______________________________________
Author’s email: nenita.tayko@foundationU.com
