Teachers have big roles to play in implementing the Department of Education’s “new normal” policy. Education must continue, even in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
Long before this pandemic, teachers were no longer new to the many challenges inside and outside the four-walled classroom. Their line of work has been replete with numerous battles, yet they have always come out victorious. These unprecedented times may have spurred drastic changes, but the personal and professional qualities of the country’s teachers can surely mitigate the impacts of this pandemic on education.
Many have raised doubts on how teachers can address the various academic disruptions that continue to impede the delivery of instruction.
But teachers are known to be proactive in initiating interventions to address learning gaps in the educative process. They initiate remedial and fun activities all for the betterment of the institution’s primary clientele—the learners. They have an insatiable hunger for strategies to increase classroom participation and academic achievement. They evolve with the times by investing their hard-earned salary in technology to aid learning.
On top of that, teachers would even sacrifice their weekends and holidays to train learners for their academic or non-academic ventures outside the classroom. These, among others, prove that teachers can deliver quality education despite the lingering impacts of COVID-19.
Another quality of teachers that is advantageous to the current situation is their overwhelming generosity. Teachers shine when it comes to giving and sharing. There are instances when they would spend for students’ meals when they join contests.
And when their students win awards, another celebration treat would ensue, of course all expenses paid by their dear teacher-coaches. They do it wholeheartedly because of how much they value the students’ hard work and determination to make their school proud.
It is not uncommon as well for teachers to give out clothes, shoes, and school supplies to their students. During school parties, teachers even shoulder the expenses so that those who cannot pay for the contribution can still attend and enjoy the gathering.
In this extraordinary time, teachers are spending, too, in the printing of modules, while others are initiating donation drives for printing materials. That’s how big their hearts are for the welfare of their students despite their already depleted income and what is left of their salary after a long list of deductions. Being called “second parents” may be cliché, but its meaning has been actualized by teachers through the years.
The new normal of education calls for different modalities of learning, but one thing is assured: Teachers will continue to build relationships with their students despite distance and less human contact.
Teachers do not cower in fear. They are never distracted by the circumstances. So if you continue to doubt them and resort to calling them lazy, weak, and non-strategic, try to be in their shoes, and you will realize that their struggles are valid and their contributions to humanity deserve much honor and respect.
RAMON L. ORCULLO JR.
Public School Teacher
Alegria, Surigao del Norte