Relate mo Mam? . . . Sir?

Relate Mo, Ma'am? Sir?

Meet Teacher Aida.

For the past 35 years, she taught her lessons using MP3—Manila Paper. Later, she upgraded to MP4—Manual Projector. Then came COVID-19, and she found herself compelled to present lessons through Video MPEG-4, or at the very least, through digital platforms she had never imagined using in her early years as an educator.

Teacher Aida's eyesight has grown blurry with age and illness. Her fingers, wrinkled and stiff, can hardly tap the correct keys on her cellphone or laptop. Arthritis has made it difficult for her to grasp a computer mouse. Long hours spent preparing worksheets and slide presentations leave her back and neck aching, while her tired eyes struggle to endure the glare of computer screens.

On the brink of resignation, she presses on. With mouths to feed and children to send to school, she chooses to continue teaching and, in the process, learns new skills to keep abreast of the changing demands of her profession.

Meet Teacher Fe.

Young, idealistic, vibrant, and technologically adept, she is well-versed in the latest applications for online teaching. She welcomes the new learning modalities with enthusiasm.

Yet one major obstacle stands in her way: she lives in a remote area with limited access to internet connectivity. To fulfill her responsibilities, she must travel miles just to obtain a signal strong enough to communicate with her supervisors, fellow teachers, students, and parents.

Meet Teacher Bong.

Like Teacher Fe, he embodies the qualities of a 21st-century educator. His dedication and passion for teaching are beyond question. However, financial constraints remain his greatest challenge.

He teaches in a school with insufficient resources for printing learning modules. Much as he longs to provide the best instructional materials for his students, he struggles to do so because he survives on a modest salary. From this meager income, he must also allocate funds for internet connectivity required not only for work but also for the education of his siblings. At times, he has resorted to bartering personal belongings in exchange for bond paper, crayons, and other educational materials.

These are but a few of the realities confronting Filipino teachers today.

Teachers are expected to learn new skills within a very short period, develop instructional materials aligned with the newly crafted MELCs, and spend their own resources on learning materials, internet subscriptions, and appropriate gadgets necessary for e-learning. Despite unstable electrical services in some areas and geographical barriers in others, teachers persevere in maintaining the quality of education in the face of adversity.

Some people argue that teachers need not be paid their full salaries—or worse, that their compensation should be reduced—because, according to them, teachers are "doing less" and much of the work has been delegated to parents or guardians.

Such contentions are deeply disheartening.

Teachers are exerting extraordinary efforts to make education accessible to all learners, whatever the cost and despite the circumstances.

Hindi ninyo lamang nakikita.

You do not witness the countless hours teachers devote to preparing effective learning materials .

Hindi ninyo lamang natatantiya ang pagpupunyagi ni Teacher.

You do not measure the dedication and sacrifices teachers willingly make to ensure that learning continues.

Hindi ninyo lamang nararamdaman ang kaba, takot, at agam-agam ni Teacher.

You do not feel the anxiety of facing a camera to explain lessons that will later be uploaded for public viewing, or perhaps face class observations.

You may not realize how difficult it is to prepare educational materials, videos and the like, despite limited technical knowledge and inadequate access to high-quality gadgets.

On occasions where a teacher's lesson is uploaded online, it becomes subject to the scrutiny of countless viewers. What often follows is a barrage of criticism. Even the slightest mistake can spread rapidly, much like the virus itself. Instead of encouragement, teachers may find themselves ridiculed in the unforgiving landscape of the information superhighway.

I do not intend to justify the shortcomings or inadequacies of teachers. Rather, I seek to foster understanding, compassion, and a renewed appreciation for the dignity and respect that educators deserve.

As a teacher myself, I am deeply troubled by insensitive remarks from some netizens. We are not perfect, though we continually strive to become better versions of ourselves.

Like medical professionals, teachers are also frontliners. We confront uncertainties and overcome obstacles to deliver education to every learner, regardless of the situation. Often, we are expected to adapt instantly to curricular changes because learning must never be delayed.

Teachers once lived in a world enclosed by green and white boards, carrying books and notebooks into their classrooms. Then COVID-19 ushered us into the cyberworld and transformed our classrooms into computer screens.

Our workplaces changed. Our methods of instruction shifted.

Faced with the realities of the new normal, we had little choice but to embrace a new educational landscape. We were compelled to navigate uncharted waters. Yet because of our love for the profession, we accepted this challenge as a mission. Courageously, we took up the oars and paddled forward, determined to fulfill our calling of delivering education to learners amidst the threats posed by the pandemic.

The journey, however, does not end there. Challenges continue to confront the educational system, demanding resilience, creativity, and unwavering commitment from those entrusted with shaping the minds of future generations.

My hope is that, regardless of the circumstances, teachers will continue to embrace the noble task of forming minds and nurturing hearts for the good of society and the world.

And when the time comes for us to stand before God, may we be able to say with humility and gratitude:

"Lord, I have fulfilled the mission You entrusted to me. I have done my part in preparing worthy citizens for this world and for Your Kingdom."

HAPPY TEACHERS' DAY!

hba/09.27.2024