Retiree cherishes memories of days with students

How interesting and fascinating it was to read Ambeth Ocampo’s column on Jose Rizal’s report cards (“Rizal report cards,” Opinion, 12/10/14). It brought this retired teacher back to memory lane when she and her students had such close relationship beyond the four walls of the classroom, beyond reports and grades.

Looking back to this relationship is something that retirement cherishes to share, for up to now the students still keep in touch with this aging teacher. I have been quite a strict teacher inside the classroom where excellence was the main goal. Students were singularly encouraged to blaze new trails and follow their star and be No. 1 in everything they strove for. This was inculcated in their young minds.

Over and beyond this, however, was a need for a deeper travel to one’s inner self. They were not only students of books, they explored the human soul and spirit. To me this was of utmost importance. Many of our seasoned teachers are so focused on their subject matter that they miss this important aspect on the life of the students.

I am doubly blessed that in spite of my days “being numbered,” my former students still remember me. They share their joys in guiding their children and their children’s children into knowing what it is to be a child of God.

—SALLY C. DATOC, retired professor,

Philippine Normal College