The beauty of teaching

We read all kinds of news, features and opinions every day, but it’s glaring that no one talks about teaching — as a passion and a vocation, as a continuing education, as a confidence builder, as an advocacy, as a social responsibility, as a noble profession, as an art, and as a work of heart.

Twelve years ago, I applied for a part-time lecturer position, but was not hired after an on-the-spot demonstration. My desire to teach, however, did not wither. Just two months after passing the bar, I applied again and was luckily hired this time.

I am in my fifth year already and had promised to myself never to get tired of teaching. I would teach as long as I can talk and drive to work. Just recently, someone suggested to give it up just so I can focus on my other work. Little did he know that teaching, in fact, helps me get better as a person and as a lawyer. It boosts my confidence.

Teaching, indeed, is a passion and a vocation. It’s likewise a continuing education and a confidence builder.

When I teach, I know that my young students, who are willing learners, are all ears. I get to share my mistakes when I was a student and remind them to avoid committing them. I preach to them that I was just an average student back then, but with prayer, hard work and determination, I got to reach the position I am in right now.

I get to motivate them to study harder by stressing the sacrifices of their parents just for their children to have a good education. And, at times, I take the opportunity to explain to them current events, then encourage them to support or take the path that law and morals dictate. Teaching is indeed an advocacy and a social responsibility.

As a teacher, I get respected and admired by my students, whom I likewise respect and admire. The mutual respect and admiration lasts even after the school year and extends outside the classrooms. My students reminisce about the good times we had inside the classroom, and treat the bad times as learning experiences. It’s a cycle that takes its full circle every school year.

And when you teach, you do the thing you love and earn at the same time. Teaching, without a doubt, is a noble profession.

When I teach, I see to it that my students don’t get bored. I make sure my class is interactive by encouraging them to ask questions and share their opinions. Sometimes, my method requires my students to work as a team, to instill in them teamwork and camaraderie not just inside the classroom but outside as well.

Teaching should be learning and having fun at the same time. Teaching is an art.

I fail students. It’s one of the ways of telling them to study harder and exert more effort if they want to be successful in life. But if I see unceasing effort in them even if they fail the subject, I give them a passing grade.

Grades are just numbers, but effort and determination translate to something bigger later in life. Now, the smile that you see on students’ faces if they get a passing mark or a word of affirmation from the teacher, the sigh of relief they exhibit after correctly answering a recitation question, the effort they give just to be present every meeting — all of these make not just the students happy, but the teacher and their parents as well. Just one changed life of a student, and you have taught successfully.

Teaching radiates happiness. Teaching is a work of heart.

“A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.” —Henry Adams

* * *

Oliver Cachapero Jr. is a lawyer at Land Bank of the Philippines and an educator.