National Teachers Month: Be proud you are a teacher, the future depends on you

Be proud you are a teacher; the future depends on you.

This was nailed on an old tree in the old campus of Buenavista Elementary School, where I have the fondest memories of my education. That sign, hand-painted on a tin sheet, must have boosted our teachers on the daily, because how else could they have pushed through handling all these kids who were not their kids, and make it seem effortless? 

I had the highest respect for my teachers in Buenavista, and – I’m not sure if I remember it correctly – I might have dreamed of becoming a teacher, too. As a middle child, I might have wanted the responsibility of having the future depending on me. But there are a lot of things I don’t understand about teachers. 

Having been surrounded by them my whole life, as a public school student, then from the souls of my grandmothers, to my mother-in-law and other teachers I shared a ministry at church with, to an aunt and a cousin who are now an SGOD Chief and a principal, respectively, to my sister and another cousin who are in the middle of their teaching careers, to the hundreds of teachers in the Division of San Jose City where I work, there are so much that simply do not make sense to my brain.

Feature photo: Zac Harvey Gordula is indeed a child genius and a Mathematics Wizard. During his interview in Dito Sa Laguna TV, he showed his excellent Mathematical skills. With his adviser/coach by his side, in Lopez Elementary School / by Oh My Mathematician licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International

They carry a lot of weighty problems

I wonder why teachers do not crack or break from carrying the weight of the future on their shoulders. Why is it okay for them to spend their salaries on teaching equipment, supplies, and beautifying their classrooms? 

Officials and staff have office-issue laptops and communication allowances, but teachers have no qualms spending the money meant for their own dreams and their families for work. Why are they okay with giving up their nights, weekends, and, in recent years, their vacations? 

How are they okay when people blame them for low scores in international tests? Are these the price teachers have to pay for the privilege of having the future depending on them?

I guess, Happy Teachers’ Day?

From September 5 to October 5, we are celebrating National Teachers Month. This is pursuant to Republic Act 10743, which was signed into law by President Benigno Aquino III. October 5 – National Teachers Day – is a fun day in schools. 

Students put together classroom- and school-based pakulo and tributes for their teachers. Picture this: classrooms decked out with colorful decorations, showers of flowers, chocolates, cakes, and the sweetest greeting cards, song and dance numbers and sappy AVPs and messages – all for their favorite teachers.

If I was in a position of power to give our teachers what I think they truly deserve, I will give them a competitive salary increase that does not come with an increase in workload, office-issued ICT equipment, and adequate supplies, and hire more non-teaching personnel in schools to take over administrative tasks and other ancillary assignments so they can focus on teaching. 

Weighing in their thoughts

In fact, these were the answers I expected. But when I asked my teacher-friends what will make them happy this National Teachers’ Month, their answers are much simpler.

“A full non-working holiday for teachers on October 5, please,” says Teacher A. She’s a high school English teacher and an incredibly dedicated school paper adviser. Last year, she was in a bad case of anxiety and burnout. Thankfully, her condition keeps improving.

Teacher B, another high school English teacher who had handled special reading classes for years and established the school’s library club, wishes she can spend the day with her daughter, whose birthday falls on the same day. “For 15 years, hindi ko pa naibigay ng buong-buo ang araw na iyon para ma-celebrate ang birthday niya. I just really want to spend that whole day with her, with our family. Sana.”

Understandably, but it seems impossible since there are a lot of school activities in store for that day.

“Pahinga lang, okay na kaming mga teacher,” Teacher C agrees. He is an elementary teacher, and a super talented artist. Recently, he has been making Facebook reels where he demonstrates his drawing techniques. He jokingly adds, “Pwede din magpa-contest [ang Division Office] ng singing or dancing. Mga 20k to 50k [ang prize].”

For Teacher D, a high-achieving teacher, artist, school paper adviser, and more, her ideal gift for Teachers’ Day has everything to do with the kids under her wings. “Simple lang [ang] gusto ko sa Teacher’s Month kung ako tatanungin. [‘Yung] maging mabait, magalang, at responsable ‘yung mga anak ko, tama na ‘yun. At siyempre, plus factor na lang ‘yung manalo sila sa mga events sa school.”

It’s the same with Teacher E, a well-loved elementary teacher and one of the bubbliest people I know, who wishes for nothing else than to see her pupils learn. For her to be able to perform her obligations as a teacher, remembered even for that day, and for learners to remember their school and teachers someday.

When it comes to celebrating National Teachers’ Month, Teacher D wishes there will be a Division-wide tribute for all teachers. “May pa-concert na may pa-award. For example, lifetime awardee para ma-recognize naman ‘yung mga guro natin.”

Rest, fun, recognition. For all the things they do for the future of the country, that’s all teachers want?

“Your wish is too simple,” I said to Teacher E. “Not even a free concert?”

“Bet ko inuman,” she joked.

Teacher F was the last to answer. He’s a kindergarten teacher, a published author, a storyteller, and an artist. What makes him happiest is to see the whole-hearted support of parents for the development of his pupils.

And instead of thinking of something he wanted to receive on Teachers Day, he gives parents simple presents like food, school supplies and small, fun games. This is his way of giving back to the parents for the help, support, and sacrifices they give him as he performs his obligations as a teacher.

But doesn’t he have something he wants for himself even for a day?

None, he said. For him, the best gifts are the love and support from his pupils and their parents.

Yeah, teachers don’t make sense.

Happy National Teachers Month!