Why I teach ?Its my passion
Everybody is a teacher.Sure others are better educator than others but we consciously or subconsciously indoctrinate one another. Parents interpretation of the environment has a huge impact on how the children will see the world as adults. We were born without any prejudices at birth,we just learned it along the way. In short, who we are largely depends in who we look up to for guidance.
Most people would say that a supreme being indoctrinated them hence the rise of various religions and of instructions that border between practical to absurd for others.Various methodology have been employed to inculcate this lessons. Some go as far as distort the truth to their advantage mobilizing the fear and insecurity they found in the learners. Other students are lured of rewards material and otherwise.Personally, I dont think one religion is more enlightened than the other.To me, spiritual enlightenment is an individual experience.
Some culture may prioritize education more than other culture. We have heard of the pressures students go through to sharpen their mental acuity.Some subjects drilled to the head more than other subjects to address a certain need. But to me,a good education is one that explains the world without a need for brainwashing. It is about opening the eyes of the pupils to wide array of choices there is and to trust them to choose whats best for them and hopefully for others as well.A curriculum that teaches patriotism but abstain from discussing its follies in world affair is incomplete for me even if in other studies they excel.
Like most young tutee, I wasn't inclined to critical mentors. Maybe because my attention span was limited and didn't have solid confidence about myself. Sure we need them to be entertaining to make a concept less intimidating and more easily remembered - yet we also need our tutors to give real feedbacks as to desired competency/ skill . Sadly I have come across of teachers who sugar coat in a bid to be popular.
In this light, I wonder what the new idea of unschooling has to say on this matter?I have once listened to tedtalk.com about self organized learning environment where learners learn from each other.I have also read about a school where the teachers were skilled craftsmen instead of formal educators. In many years to come there might not be a need to go to school as some are opting for homeschooling with the available technology and the rise of deranged individuals open firing on campuses.
I have taught in government and private institutions. Sure there are difference in quality as one has more resources to spare than another.But in each you'll find dedicated teachers who will walk the extra mile for their students . In Philippines, teachers are like second parents. They intervene when there is bullying in the school zone, and going as far as giving free school materials to the destitute ones.In some countries , maybe they are lucratively paid but in Philipppins they arent sadly. Some public school teachers would bravely trek unpaved narrow roads in foot or motorcycles just to get to this far flung institutions devoid of facilities in modern western world.
So why do I teach ?Year after year abecedary like me would have to revised an old concept to new batch of abecedarians.Boring as most would conclude but when your passionate about guiding the new leaders of the society one finds something to amuse oneself of. As to my recollection of those class, its the extreme schoolchild I remember. Teacher's pet is true but of course ethics requires we be discrete .I am sure students on their end have their favorite teacher too . I hope when they have flashbacks of me they just dont remember the topic but of my aspirations that they discover their God given talents, challenge their limitations , and be happy with whatever success they have achieved .Afterall, there are various forms of intelligence so if a student of mine uses my Biology notes to become a great contortionist, or my English class to send message of hope then I can proudly say I taught them well