Editorial

Our salutation to teachers

Ask what they would like to become in the future, a number of youngsters would say “to be a teacher.” Welcome to the club… a profession so endearing that teachers also act as counsellors in different ways. My mother was an elementary school teacher, my step sister is also a mentor in the national high school, and I, too, was a collegiate instructor.

        We honoured them last October 5 on occasion of the National and World Teachers’ Day. Students showered their mentors/class advisers with flowers, simple gifts, and salutations. They deserve such honor and recognition. Some were given accolades for their exemplary and extra-ordinary services… our congratulations. 

        What makes them so endeared? To answer the question is to quote the statement of Henry Adams: “A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.” The statement is figuratively immense.

        I remember the counsel of our dean of studies way back in high school days in prodding me to improve my academic grades. I said “I would try.” But then instead, perhaps as a matter of a mandate, said: “Do it.” And so I did and earned my academic honors. Big deal, indeed! That is what I mean immense influence… a mandate of inspiration that “it can be done.”

        I thank my Sociology class (batch 1991 to 1995) for coinciding their first reunion with my birth date in December 2017. In their program remarks, they said having learned so much from my instructions. My response was this: “Each one of you has his/her own way of dealing with your respective lives. It’s not the grades for you have earned the marks, but how you apply the lessons for your sake.” Teachers provide the inputs and the outputs belong to the students or would-be professionals.

        Yes, we learn so much from our mentors… our gratitude for imparting the knowledge and harnessing our hidden skills. So many of them in our life’s schooling days… some of them so close to us more than friends for we have endeared each other so much. Perhaps, their counselling has inspired us and has affected our pursuits in our lives. You yourself know how they could have influenced your life in one instance or another.

        Now, can you recall their names and images in your minds? Of course, you have your own favourites and not so favourites. Whatever, we salute them for being part of our lives. Without them… what? Folks, we are also teachers/mentors in a way but being a full-time one is a matter of a profession and dedication.

        Ask the young ones if they want to become teachers and you will see the hands-up for taking the teachers’ course. Be good at that career status, guys.