It's true, you know. You should be careful about what you say, because it might come true.
Even as a child I've always admired teachers, but whenever asked what I wanted to become when I'd grow up, it was just one profession that did not cross my mind.
When I was filling up college application forms decades ago, I vividly recall choosing psychology or behavioral studies primarily because should I later on decide not to pursue law (which I did not), I did not want to end up having no other option than to become a teacher. With psychology, I repeatedly rationalized over the years to everyone and to myself, I can get into almost any profession -- as long as it involved dealing with people.
Well, fresh from college, my first job was a teaching one. I taught English and History to high school students at La Salle Greenhills, and became homeroom adviser to a 2nd year class to boot. Why?? They had this ablult night school program that called to this perennially gnawing need of mine to serve others. Plus, I couldn't say no to the Superintendent (a LaSallian Brother) that time, whom I was quite fond of. He had his secretary call me and facilitate my teaching position. It was a done deal.
That stint, however, lasted only a year and I told myself I was not cut out to teach. That such a vocation was quite a laudable and honorable one, and yet so not mine.
I decided to take the easy route. I took another course, hung out with friends, continued working on the student paper (a bi-monthly) that I became the managing editor of. Afterwards, I became editor of magazines and trade publications.
A decade later and with a family to prioritize, I opted for an even easier path. Marketing consultancy, which mainly involved public relations and events management services. Even with a real office and secretary, I worked mostly from home. It was fine and it has served its purpose: additional income for my family; professional work for me.
So that need to serve? It gnawed and gnawed and gnawed. So I'd do some advocacy work and that gnawing feeling would subside. Somehow, they weren't enough to fill that need.
After several prayers for guidance and wisdom, I decided (with my husband's full support) to go back to school. That is, to help the PAREF (Parents for Education Foundation) Southcrest School by working full time as marketing officer. Several more prayers later, I agreed to teach Composition and Grammar to the fourth year students.
Surprisingly, I have found myself actually enjoying teaching, relating with my students. I look forward to listening to their speeches, reading their compositions and journals, and viewing their projects. There are only 11 of them and so I get to personalize the lessons. I truly enjoy getting to know each one of them and helping prepare them for college.
I am challenged by our generation gap and thus, aim to inspire them, motivate them. Teaching is putting my creative skills (and digital know-how) to a test. Teaching is actually fun. And I'm proud to say I'm a teacher.
