Translate ‘thanks ma’am’ into action

Thank you for the editorial “Thank you, Teacher.” (Inquirer, 10/ 5/11) Just imagine the pride it must have stirred among our educators as they were given the “soul space,” at that, of this No. 1 and widely read broadsheet. The Inquirer affirmed an oft-taken-for-granted truth: teachers are among the most valuable resources of our society, they deserve to be recognized for all their heroic yet unnoticed contributions.

I used to teach in a public high school. I taught for 15 years. I am proud to say that the best years of my life, in terms of self-fulfillment, were those that I spent as a classroom teacher, when I was with my students. What a joy it is meeting former students who gladly remind me they were under me. Of course, I remember those with whom I developed friendships. Looking back, the monetary rewards were negligible compared to the lessons I learned and the memories I have from my stint as a government teacher. I would not exchange them  for any amount of money.

I am a better person because of my having been a teacher once. I remain a teacher at heart. However, for many reasons, I had to quit early. I was very vocal about my sentiments on how we, teachers, were being treated (not as the professionals that we were) even by the government agency and officials who were supposed to supervise us. I felt I was getting nowhere professionally, so I resigned. But I carried no bitterness in my heart, and I will always cherish the sweet memories I have of my students and fellow teachers.

I may not be in any way connected now with public school teachers, but I still feel for them and empathize with their plight. Truly the unsung heroes that they are, much is yet to be done for their welfare. How I wish that with President Aquino’s leadership, our long-neglected teachers will finally be given their much-deserved benefits, and our schools provided with upgraded facilities and updated reading and reference materials, as well as state-of-the-art technology to allow entire school communities to adapt to the fast-changing world. And how about a decent comfort room in every school? Can we also send our teachers to training programs in the field they best excel in, not just require them to attend routine seminars?

Again, much has to be done to ease the plight of our public school teachers. It is high time that they were given the benefits and privileges they deserve.

“Thank you, Teacher” should not be only in words. It may call for the recognition of the invaluable, though unenviable, role teachers, whether in public or private schools, play in our society. It may be a call for improved living conditions for our teachers.  I hope it will be a call that will generate an immediate, positive and concrete action from our government leaders and the whole of society.

—BELEN DOCENA-ASUELO, bdasuelo@yahoo.com