Living in My Comfort Zone: Why I am a Teacher

Whenever I am asked why I became a teacher, I would often say that I never wanted to be one, but I am called to be one. When I was in my last year in high school, and college entrance tests were upon me, I would often scan program offerings from various universities. Each time, my eyes would land on the words “Bachelor of Secondary Education” and “Bachelor of Elementary Education”. Without much thought, I would tick the boxes beside those words and applied only at two universities: University of Santo Tomas in Sampaloc, Manila and The Philippine Normal University in Taft, Manila.

I got accepted in both schools. Of course, I chose my mother’s Alma Mater: UST. However, she was not happy. The words she said the moment I told her that I got accepted in UST still echo, “you’ll only end up as a domestic helper.”

That aside, I did my best to maintain decent grades and at the same time enjoy college life. I joined an org, built a solid circle of friends, and went to school concerts and fairs the best that I can. I graduated on time and landed a job a month before I received my diploma.

My first year as a teacher was a trial by fire. It opened me to the reality of teaching—that it is something you cannot just wing, that teaching is real work. And I learned how to really work. I studied again all the things that I have already learned in school. I re-read notes, retraced my steps, and recalled the days when I was still a student learning the same topic I will be teaching my students. I became a student teacher again.

My hard work paid off. In my fifth year, I was promoted and became the Subject Coordinator. The young and ambitious me was very happy for the position. It opened doors and opportunities that I never had before. However, those doors and opportunities came with responsibilities and a consequence. The responsibilities were easy enough for me to do and I already expected them. What surprised me was the politics of being a middle administrator. The young and idealistic me could not accept the questionable practices in the administration. I left.

Leaving my position and the first school that nurtured the teacher in me was the best decision because it brought me to the school that I have come to love and call my community. The second school I taught at brought out the best in me. If before I learned how to work, this time, I learned how to love working hard. The call for teaching the least, the last, and the lost was so strong and I embraced it fully.

For fourteen years, I dedicated myself to giving my service for the young ones who may have a lot in life, but have less in their hearts. I made friends with my colleagues, some of which became family. I got to build a community to whom I run when things get hard. My students were no longer just students, but friends. If I am to look back and take stock of my life as a teacher, I can say that being in that school was the best fourteen years of my life.

I have left the life of a classroom teacher and I’m now onto another journey. I’m still within the realm of the academe, albeit in the sidelines-- as a student success coach, test content editor, test scorer and ESL teacher. It may sound like I am wearing many hats, but in reality all these position titles are just known as “classroom teacher” in the context of Philippine educational system.

Pictures are edited in Canva