On Being Destined to Be a Teacher

This was our board at the MatSci Department yesterday.  I was not there when these words were written.  I wasn’t there to contribute any of these sentiments and realizations.  I wasn’t there to pour my heart out but these were more than my very own hugot lines!  Because first and foremost, I did NOT choose to become a teacher.  I never ever wanted to be one!  However, I already had this gut feeling when I was still in high school that God wants me to become a teacher.  So I left Ozamiz, studied in MSU-IIT, took up Chemical Engineering, became a licensed Chemical Engineer, landed an engineering job in Manila, and had another in an industrial plant in Cebu.  I wandered far and long from the will of God.  I tried everything just to keep away from what He wants me to do.  Long story short, I never felt at home in all those places I went to.  My ending, went back home and did nothing for 7 months!

Then I still didn’t want to become a teacher.  I did data-entry encoding, call center, secretary, online writing, and entrepreneur wannabe (now wannabe no more).  I tried all jobs not related to my field, kulang nalang was to apply as a domestic helper.  Promise, I was also willing to be one if only I had my own money to pay for the placement agency at that time.  Kaloka talaga my tambay days back then!  Until came such a time that I suddenly went to MUHS and applied as a secondary science teacher.  So I did become a teacher!

Teacher, teacher, teacher!  I was already a teacher but I didn’t act like a teacher.  I just did the profession out of necessity so I’ve got something to do because at that time, I didn’t care if I have money or not.  I’d rather not have money than do things I hate.  But I had nothing else to do and I also didn’t want to forget what I’ve learned in college.  Blood, sweat, and tears lang naman ang ipinuhonan sa IIT, noh!  So I also wanted to share whatever knowledge I have.

Then off I went from school to school!  From MUHS, Medina College, to La Salle University.  OMG!  I just realized!  I am now on my 7th teaching year!  On my first job, I only spent 10 days.  Second job, 11 months.  And now, it already took me years in this teaching job?!  Oh, what a surprise!  Isn’t it obvious that this is where I should be?  In 7 years, quota na ako!  Well actually, when a high school batchmate visited me at the store last Monday and asked me why am I settling for less here in Ozamiz ‘coz she knows my potential earnings when I do a chemical engineering job abroad, it was my very first time to finally give an answer!  With conviction, I told her that this is where I’m meant to be!  First time ever, through my words I’ve come to realize that I had already accepted that I am a TEACHER!  This is my fate.  This is my calling.  This is my vocation.  This is my mission.  Though it took me 7 years to understand, I now have the heart for teaching!

Anyway, you might be getting me wrong in this.  I am not only saying this because my energy is still too high from yesterday’s celebration of Catholic Teachers’ Day.  I’m not only saying this because I was super happy during the celebration and super delighted with my students’ surprises.  But I am saying this to officially decide to myself that I’ll keep teaching until there are students who are willing to be taught.  When momentum gives way to gravity, I fall!  Fall in love with the teaching profession because I am destined to become a teacher!