Being a teacher has a lot of perks - you get to meet a lot of people; you get to be of help to others, especially the youth; you get to share your knowledge and talents with the country's future leaders. The best among all these, however, is knowing that your student has grown up to become a wonderful, intelligent, responsible and passionate adult. Trust me, there is no other reward sweeter than this for teachers who are devoted to their goal of helping their students to "cross bridges."
Recently, one of my former students posted a blog about her passion for writing. She sent me a message through my Facebook account and told me that she thanked me in her blog. My first reaction was of gratefulness, especially since it has been years since we last saw each other and talked. It has been years since we last exchanged ideas. I wasn't prepared for what I read.
When she said she "thanked me," I thought it was just something "in passing." It wasn't. It was a thank you that resonated through my soul...a thank you that made me realize how lucky I am to have been given the chance to share myself to my students for eight wonderful years. It was something that made me realize how teaching added meaning and purpose to my life - and how much of this life I shared with my students.
I am grateful. Truly grateful. I left the teaching profession in 2006, yet my students continue to remember; my students continue to make me feel special. I can never be thankful enough. All the hard work of those eight long years have been paid. And I know I will continue to reap rewards - everytime I see or hear of a student graduating from college, or getting a job, or finally getting the promotion he rightfully deserves. My life will be a continuous celebration of my students' failures and successes. And from this day on, I'll make sure to keep that in mind.
So, to Hazel, I say: I am proud of you! So proud that I am now sharing your blog post to my friends. I simply love the person that you have become. I am so amazed at how passionate you are with the things that you write about. I am in awe of how far you have gone since I last saw you. The only thing that has remained the same is this: that you are still one of the best writers among all the students I have had! Thank you for sharing a part of your young life with me; and thank you for keeping me in your life.
To all my students, thank you. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your lives. Allow me to continue sharing my life (and my passions) with you - and I hope you'll allow me to still be a part of yours.
(Go on to Hazel's blog and get into her thoughts. You'll understand better what I am trying to say if you read what she wrote: My Passion for Writing)
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Tuesday, June 22, 2010
A Testament of My So-called Legacy...
Being a teacher has a lot of perks - you get to meet a lot of people; you get to be of help to others, especially the youth; you get to share your knowledge and talents with the country's future leaders. The best among all these, however, is knowing that your student has grown up to become a wonderful, intelligent, responsible and passionate adult. Trust me, there is no other reward sweeter than this for teachers who are devoted to their goal of helping their students to "cross bridges."
Recently, one of my former students posted a blog about her passion for writing. She sent me a message through my Facebook account and told me that she thanked me in her blog. My first reaction was of gratefulness, especially since it has been years since we last saw each other and talked. It has been years since we last exchanged ideas. I wasn't prepared for what I read.
When she said she "thanked me," I thought it was just something "in passing." It wasn't. It was a thank you that resonated through my soul...a thank you that made me realize how lucky I am to have been given the chance to share myself to my students for eight wonderful years. It was something that made me realize how teaching added meaning and purpose to my life - and how much of this life I shared with my students.
I am grateful. Truly grateful. I left the teaching profession in 2006, yet my students continue to remember; my students continue to make me feel special. I can never be thankful enough. All the hard work of those eight long years have been paid. And I know I will continue to reap rewards - everytime I see or hear of a student graduating from college, or getting a job, or finally getting the promotion he rightfully deserves. My life will be a continuous celebration of my students' failures and successes. And from this day on, I'll make sure to keep that in mind.
So, to Hazel, I say: I am proud of you! So proud that I am now sharing your blog post to my friends. I simply love the person that you have become. I am so amazed at how passionate you are with the things that you write about. I am in awe of how far you have gone since I last saw you. The only thing that has remained the same is this: that you are still one of the best writers among all the students I have had! Thank you for sharing a part of your young life with me; and thank you for keeping me in your life.
To all my students, thank you. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your lives. Allow me to continue sharing my life (and my passions) with you - and I hope you'll allow me to still be a part of yours.
(Go on to Hazel's blog and get into her thoughts. You'll understand better what I am trying to say if you read what she wrote: My Passion for Writing)
Recently, one of my former students posted a blog about her passion for writing. She sent me a message through my Facebook account and told me that she thanked me in her blog. My first reaction was of gratefulness, especially since it has been years since we last saw each other and talked. It has been years since we last exchanged ideas. I wasn't prepared for what I read.
When she said she "thanked me," I thought it was just something "in passing." It wasn't. It was a thank you that resonated through my soul...a thank you that made me realize how lucky I am to have been given the chance to share myself to my students for eight wonderful years. It was something that made me realize how teaching added meaning and purpose to my life - and how much of this life I shared with my students.
I am grateful. Truly grateful. I left the teaching profession in 2006, yet my students continue to remember; my students continue to make me feel special. I can never be thankful enough. All the hard work of those eight long years have been paid. And I know I will continue to reap rewards - everytime I see or hear of a student graduating from college, or getting a job, or finally getting the promotion he rightfully deserves. My life will be a continuous celebration of my students' failures and successes. And from this day on, I'll make sure to keep that in mind.
So, to Hazel, I say: I am proud of you! So proud that I am now sharing your blog post to my friends. I simply love the person that you have become. I am so amazed at how passionate you are with the things that you write about. I am in awe of how far you have gone since I last saw you. The only thing that has remained the same is this: that you are still one of the best writers among all the students I have had! Thank you for sharing a part of your young life with me; and thank you for keeping me in your life.
To all my students, thank you. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your lives. Allow me to continue sharing my life (and my passions) with you - and I hope you'll allow me to still be a part of yours.
(Go on to Hazel's blog and get into her thoughts. You'll understand better what I am trying to say if you read what she wrote: My Passion for Writing)
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