“A teacher takes a hand, opens a mind and touches a heart!”

As a teacher, we are given a hundred and one opportunities to make an impact on the lives of people, from students to teachers, to principals, and to all other coworkers. As a servant leader, we selflessly share ourselves, our hearts and our aspirations to others. We regard the teaching profession as a privilege, a vocation that affects eternity. When we religiously do our tasks in the classroom, we do not only share knowledge to the students, but we also give direction by opening their minds, and more importantly, by touching their lives in so many ways,  that their decisions become outcomes of their learning. They develop their core values on the basis of what they see in us. Our dreams become their dreams. Our ideals become their ideals. Consciously or unconsciously, they imitate our thoughts and actions. Sometimes they end up as teachers like us, or in some way, live the life we have wanted to. As Henry Adams said, ”We can never tell where our influence stops.” A wrong set of values handed on, can unmake an individual, for life. “As a rule therefore, teachers teach by what they are rather than by what they say.”

There is not much material rewards in this career, but intangible ones are great! With the strength of moral decadency, self-reliance and determination that we inculcate among our students, we become instruments to the creation of productive and morally upright citizens of the country. The kind of commitment and dedication to our profession radiates, to a great extent, to the kind of graduates we produce in the country.Some of our students really do not care how much we know, until they see how much we care. Intelligence is only secondary to love and concern. Meaning, we make a stronger impact to our students, if and when, we are able to offer ourselves to them. As we fulfil our life’s purpose, we adhere to God’s Divine plan and calling. We do not only claim that we are people-person, but we profess our love for them, just as Christ Himself lived as a teacher. “When you love people and have the desire to make a profound, positive impact upon the world, then will you have accomplished the meaning to live.”As classes open for School Year 2016-2017, remember to be the best teacher you can be and be like a candle which shall consume itself to light the way for others. Secretary Luistro said, “Things will change at the top, but you will be the face of that reform. You will tell people if it was a success or failure. You will make that commitment and whether you like it or not, the success of the K to 12 program is in your hands.”

Be a teacher and be proud that you are one!