Blessings from teaching

I am glad I chose the teaching profession—the profession that spells a lot of meaningful difference in the lives of people.

Retired from active service six years ago, I still enjoy the blessings that come with this profession: a monthly pension from the Government Service Insurance System, which is enough to maintain my simple lifestyle; the esteem and trust of the people in our community; and the love and respect of my former students who are now working in different parts of the world.

Children spend half of their school life with teachers who mold their young minds and develop their values. Teachers have that crucial mission of developing individuals who can take control of their lives and their future. Come rain or flood, teachers report for work to check whether their wards are safe. They are counselors to, even providers for, wayward students whose lives are slowly breaking into pieces due to broken homes and negligent parents. Teachers play a big role in guiding families, strengthening communities and shaping the nation as a whole.

It is said that the most effective weapon of a teacher is love—loving is easy for them since they possess three hearts: the heart to talk, the heart to listen and the heart to feel. Bringing out the best of their students is the crowning glory of every teacher since they do their part in molding God’s masterpiece, the human being.

Because of all their sacrifices, society should be generous to our teachers. Government must give support and assistance to these unsung heroes of our country. The celebration of National Teachers’ Month is truly a fitting tribute to the profession that everybody has passed through and benefited from.

Indeed, I am proud, and will always be in the remaining years of my life, that I had been a teacher.

—ROSETTE  S. BARINQUE,

Villamor Air Base, Pasay City,

roset_barinque@yahoo.com