Why I Keep on Teaching

I got a major tongue lashing from my folks a while ago after a stupid business decision I made just recently. In my haste to get a business permit I unwittingly accepted a permit renewable on a quarterly basis. I never knew that it was possible to get one on a yearly basis.

Today's the end of the first quarter so it's wiser to get one next month. I knew this perfectly well. I only rushed things because a business permit was required by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). so that we will finally have an official LEGAL receipt.

In my recklessness I failed to realize that the BIR will question the expiry date of the permit. It was plain stupid on my part. These are some things I have to learn the hard way.

The result? Two parents mad as hell preaching how utterly useless I was in this house. They even hinted what a lousy career teaching is because it's financially unrewarding. Teacher's wages are so low I couldn't contribute to any household bill.

I admit to making stupid mistakes sometimes. Even teachers make stupid mistakes. Was entering the teaching profession a stupid mistake as well?

The hardest part about their litany was that I spent THEIR money for the permit. The permit was so expensive it's almost equivalent to a teacher's monthly salary which I don't have. I had no choice but to ask from them and I wasted it!

Why do I bother with teaching anyway? I guess I am naive enough to believe that if I teach my students well they can make this world a better place. Funny, but I never stop believing that my students can do that if they try hard enough.

The previous semester was the toughest for me. I wasn't given an increase and I just taught a couple of subjects. Despite that I met the best section in my 3 years as an educator.


The section is AHSE 1-H. They were not one of the brightest I have handled but they possessed the traits which I wanted students to have. That is the trait of being emphatic and caring towards others.

During our classes I have this policy regarding late comers. Males were required to do 50 push ups while females did 50 pumpings. If they failed to do so I'll give the ratings every student truly deserves (very low grades).

Not everyone is capable of doing 50 push ups. What impressed me about them is that the early comers volunteer to do the push ups the late comers failed to do. They forsook their own well being not just to help the late comers but to help save the group as well.

What a spirit! It's students like them that makes teachers feel that there's still hope for the future. I was really blessed to have met people like them. They made me feel that it pays to be an educator.

Someday they will help touch people's lives. When they do so I hope that those whom they have touched will also show kindness to others. In that way they can help make a small heaven in this Earth. I feel that it's a reward worth more than all the money in the world. =)

Ultimatum

My Dad gave me an ultimatum today. Either finish my dissertation by February 23 or forget about it COMPLETELY. He said that I have been working at it for too long already and if I'm not done with it by that time then I have probably reached my limit.

It's just like saying I'm not good enough. I guess I deserved that. Frankly speaking I have been doing it half heartedly. I am doing a topic that is very distant from a field close to my heart...education.

Nonetheless, they spent big money for my tuition and they need payback...FAST! A person who does not contribute to family expenses has no right to complain. KNOW YOUR ROLE AND SHUT YOUR MOUTH is the rule here.

I know Daddy didn't mean it. He never meant to hurt any of us. Being straightforward is just his way of blowing off steam.

Deep inside I know he's just concerned. He would not let his eldest son be trapped in a low paying job like teaching. Why his children are meant for great things! My parents did not work their asses off reaching great heights just to have underachieving children!


I know that he meant well. However, I feel I can never be like my parents. No matter how I try I will never be good enough. Sad to say but their way is not my way.

________________________________________
Illustrations Cited:

http://macriner.wordpress.com/2008/01/03/pointing/

http://flapsblog.com/?m=200609

Dissertation Blues

After much thought I have come to the conclusion that writing my dissertation is THE MOST boring and frustrating thing I have ever done so far in my life.

My adviser may not believe me but I have spent DAYS staring at a blank monitor. I have read countless books and articles already but for some reason I can't get the words out.

If ever I do get to squeeze some words out it is either inappropriate or downright insufficient. Dissertations are all about content and substance. Where's the substance if you can summarize an entire article in a paragraph?

My time is almost up and I have yet to submit anything concrete. This is definitely not one of my better days. I pray that inspiration may once again shine on me.

Nothng Changed

I met the friend I mentioned last October this afternoon. He borrowed money from my Mom for a business venture. After months of not speaking with each other it's unfortunate that NOTHING changed in him.

He still remained as conceited as ever. We spent the day talking almost entirely about himself. Some people never change. I guess there's no hope for people like him. Good luck to you, my friend. It was great while it lasted.

_______________________________________________
Illustration Cited:

http://www.cartoonstock.com/lowres/jby0186l.jpg

Abstract Accepted

I just received word stating that my abstract was accepted for presentation this coming May. This is my second abstract accepted for a foreign conference this year.

Such a message could not have come at a better time. Just when I was beginning to be intellectually demoralized.



Working on my dissertation is taking its toll. I'm not sure if it's stress or maybe my brain is slowing down. It is probably the most boring activity I ever did in my life!




Acceptance of an abstract may not be such a big deal however, if it was screened by the National University of Singapore (NUS) it's a different story. The NUS is the 20th best university in the world according to Times Higher Education Supplement.

Being acknowledged by one of the best universities in the world is a feat in itself. Even if it wasn't NUS that screened it the very fact that foreign scholars recognize your work is truly gratifying.

It's a pity that many of my efforts are not recognized in my home country. Sometimes your kin could be your worst critic.

____________________________________________________
Illustrations Cited:

http://www.cartoonmotivators.com/pages/MikeMoore.html

http://www.terrace.qld.edu.au/terrnews/tn220799.htm

http://www.nus.edu.sg

Memorable Pump Class

My last Body Pump class was something to remember. Our instructor for that day did something he felt uncomfortable doing ever since. Joining a dance class.

I have known Arvin, our instructor, for almost a year now and I know very well that he dislikes dancing. He probably thinks that it's not a manly thing being the image conscious guy that he is.

Despite that I still kept asking him to join the dance class every time. There's nothing to lose in a dance class except one's pride. Especially if you're a sucky dancer!

Arvin joining a dance class was unthinkable for the gym community. He was too much of a stiff for that. But there he was grooving away. I never expected him to be such a fine dancer!

After the class I asked him why he had a change of heart. He simply told me that he just wished to grant my request.

Who am I to compel him to do such a thing? I'm not his boss. We're not even friends. Besides, he had every reason to decline because he just conducted two very intense workouts that day.

Despite that he took time to grant a stranger's request. What a guy!

What Arvin did that day really impressed me. He was willing to risk making a fool of himself in public for what? A playful suggestion? He had everything to lose and nothing to gain but he still went on with it.

I really think that what Arvin did shows a trait of a good friend. True friends should be willing to make sacrifices to help others out. No wonder many of his peers adore him.

I will definitely miss Arvin's classes when he leaves for Singapore. I will miss his energy, and his cheerful and caring disposition. Someday I hope that we could be good friends. You can't find people like him around every corner.


______________________________________
Illustrations Cited:

SVEA Training Center
http://www.sveatraning.se/kvalitet.htm

Sports World
http://www.sportsworld.com

Fusion Fitness
http://www.fusionfitness.biz/index.cfm?page=5

Devastated

Just as I was contemplating to give my full commitment to Perps I received the shock of my life. Sad to say Perps has intensified its inhumane work practices.

Full time faculty members were only to be given a pittance on mid pay to be deducted at the end of the month.

Part-time faculty are in a worse position. They will receive no pay at the middle of the month. The worst part of it is that they will only get half month's pay at the end of the month. The other half for November will be given at the end of the semester.

What does Perps think of its teachers? Are teachers beggars who receive alms only at the whims of some kind benefactor?

Sad to say but teachers there are treated like third class citizens. Aliens who do not have rights nor a say on anything.

Teachers have their needs too. They have to travel to work and they also have to buy their food. It's not fair for them not to receive their just wage when they should.

It's a pity that a lot of dedicated and wonderful teachers are awfully treated there. They couldn't leave because they have dependents studying there and that they're too old to have any place to go.

How I wish I could help my fellow teachers. Someday when things are going right I'm going to return to help my fellow teachers. They gave everything to nurture their students s I believe they deserve a better life.

________________________________________________
Illustrations Cited

RGB Artworks
http://rgbartworks.com/rgb6.html

The Hobo Code
http://akugel.wordpress.com)

Mentoring Blues

I just received a scolding from my mom a while ago about a neighbor I have been mentoring for some time now. I have known this kid ever since she was a kid and I'm happy to see how she has grown to be a very kind and intelligent lady through the years. I really enjoy the moments we spend talking with each other because of the jolly, candid and insightful ways she directs our discussions.

It caused me great sadness to know that her grandmother was very upset with the academic advises I was giving her. Her grandmother's family and my family have been friends for decades and this is the first time that a family friend became angry for something that I did. Truth be known all I ever advised her to do was to be active in order to reach leadership positions in her organizations, participate in national youth conferences and of course, to always study hard. Was there anything wrong with saying such things?

In all fairness I do understand her grandmother. They don't have much and adding extra curricular activities on the bill can really cause a financial mess in their lives. Given such conditions I still feel that she's on the right track. She needs all the credentials she could so that she can have the best job possible. No good company will hire a mediocre, so-so candidate even if they graduated from an ivy league school. lots of students graduate from ivy league schools anyway so what makes her special? I'll tell you what, it's the extra curricular activities, of course. That's what makes all the difference because it shows a candidate's interpersonal dimensions which can never be written in a resume. Active and extensive participation in organizational matters entails great people skills. That added with brains makes a person an ideal candidate.Not to mention the numerous friends and contacts you could make by simply engaging in such activities. These are things that a lot of students fail to see.

I guess I better leave her be. I never had the right to meddle in their life anyway. Of course, I'll still help her in any way I can. I do not have the heart to turn down a person in need. I'll just keep a little distance just to maintain the peace. I'm sure that she has learned enough from me. All she has to do is to be the best person she could possibly be.

________________________________________________

Illustrations Cited:

Mentoring Illustration by Samantha Dellinger (http://www.yorkblog.com/artist/graphic_arts/)

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Mid-Missouri
(http://www.rmhccolumbia.org/Volunteers.html)