Finding joy in thinking, socially aware students

I am a retired social science teacher, and for someone trying to bring the spirit of nationalism to their students in history class, finding students who care about the Philippines is a real joy.

I like it when my students feel strongly about being Muslim, who are proenvironment, progay or prowomen’s rights. It’s also good when they disagree with my opinions or those of their classmates. I find that these students are abreast of current events, and have particular views.

I feel that it is part of my job as a history teacher to inspire a sense of nationalism among my students. After all, we live in a democracy, which means rule of the people, and these students will help choose the nation’s path.

Many students, however, are a big disappointment. They lead self-centered lives. They get their news from the “newsfeed” on Facebook, they are stuck on taking selfies, and could care less about anything except their own small lives and those of their classmates. So, imagine my joy finding socially aware students who look at the world beyond themselves, and are willing to take up the challenge to fix the nation.

My advice to parents is to try to build a sense of nationalism in their families. Encourage their children to get involved in church or mosque groups that help the community. If your kid is interested in the radical Left, well, argue the good parts and bad parts about the organizations, and let the debate happen within the family. You shouldn’t stop their involvement, but continue to guide their lives. This is not just for your child’s development, but for the development of the Philippines as well.

JONATHAN FOE
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