More than just a teacher

By Toni
@toniganzon (72285)
Philippines
May 17, 2011 7:44pm CST
I have been teaching ESL for about 5 years now and lately I've realized that I've been more than just an educator. I have become a friend, a mentor, a counselor, a preacher, a family and a friend to my students. There was one student who used to call me mommy and there was one who really treated me like a mother as he was missing his own. I also once been treated as a twin sister. I have influenced a non- believer to believe in God and now she's very happy with her life. I have also become an adviser to a student who's way older than me. I think these are the exact reasons why I love my job. Last night one student asked me if I love what I'm doing and without hesitation I answered her with a big yes. She thought that I was doing it all for the money and that I'm too busy that I don't have a free time anymore. When one has great passion in his or her job, that job is no longer considered as work. I sense a kind of fulfillment whenever I can see my students reaching their goal or seeing them succeed. Their success is also mine and that's what makes me happy and content with my life.
1 person likes this
10 responses
• United States
1 Sep 11
I really love my teacher because he taught we so well not only academically but mentally morally and otherwise he is like a father to me
@asliah (11137)
• Philippines
3 Jun 11
hi, i am graduated at Computer Education but i never took an exam for license to be licensed teacher.because i know its happy to teach but its not my line,i also experienced to teach for 1 year and actually i enjoyed it.
@cher913 (25782)
• Canada
18 May 11
there are jobs like that such as a doctor or nurse. it takes someone special (with a lot of patience) to be a teacher. we have several friends that are teachers and they are all very good at what they do.
• Philippines
18 May 11
Hello toni, Believe it or not, being a teacher is one of the most selfless job and most patriotic of all. you're experience really reminds me of my mom when she was a still a masteral teacher in her days. she was a strict disciplinarian but it helped a lot of students be mature and some even became a teacher too because they were inspired by her. a lot actually missed her for her being the best teacher. unlike now, teachers in her old school has lost professionalism most specially to the new ones. But you, make me realizes that not all teachers have gone low., i guess there's hope yet in our education keep it up, teach!
• Philippines
18 May 11
TEACHING ...the noblest job in the world.I am an educator too.I sympathize with what you said. teaching is not only limited to the 4 corners of the classroom, but includes the totality of the personality of whom you are imparting your knowledge. I salute to all the Teachers in the world... for there will be no great men if there are no great teachers.
• Honduras
18 May 11
Congratulations, thats the sense of job life... the keywords to success: Love and passion.
@barehugs (8973)
• Canada
18 May 11
The teacher is a very important part of the students life, but the Parents are not to be left out. Children as young as a month watch their Mother as they nurse. From this time onwards until they marry and leave home they emulate their parents every word and action. Thus its important that the parents demonstrate the life style and manners they wish their children to adopt. Seeing is believing, and this is learned in the home from the parents.
@chuyins123 (2112)
• Philippines
18 May 11
You truly have blessed the lives of your student. I once have a teacher who really played a great role in my fight in the university. A fight that was Victoriously won because of the people who believed in me. I was then an irregular student in a University. I obtained my scholarship the second semester of the school year. I didn't have anyone to encourage me except that teacher who sent me a message saying "I believe in you Raymond, I've seen great potentials in you." from that very little thing she did, I draw strength and continue a good fight. I worked hard on my studies, believing that what she said was true. And after 3 semesters we didn't meet, till another semester I took another subject which I didn't know she's one of the instructors. And fortunately we meet again. She's glad she saw me in her class again. She then encourage me to pursue excellence in my studies, she continually send me messages of encouragement that I could still remember up till now. She do follow me up every now and then. Asking me how I am doing, whether I am still in the program, etc etc. And she's like a mother who's so proud when she heard I made it to fourth year and I am graduating. She really is more than a teacher, she had personal care for her students. And I was just so blessed to have the chance to be her student. After I passed the board exam I sent her a message on facebook saying I am already working as an accountant here in the city. That I was blessed to have obtained my license on the first attempt. Again she leaped for joy. She's so glad. And she even encourage me to pursue LAW studies if I still can. And said she'll see what she can do about scholarship. She really have the heart for her students. And I asked her too why she stayed in the University, when in fact she could obtain a greater job, with higher pay in some other institution since she studied and obtain a Masters Degree in Harvard University. And her answer was plain and simple. "Raymond, I love my job. And I love it here." Just like you she became more than just a teacher. :)
@ravisivan (14079)
• India
18 May 11
You are correct. If one has passion for a work one will do it well. You are teaching English as second language. You are very busy. It is good. If you are busy you will feel good. ya. You can have different roles to different students depending on what they expect from you. thanks
• China
18 May 11
There's a saying that the one who benefits the most from teaching is the teacher him/herself.XD