Huwebes, Mayo 5, 2011

Losing my Teaching Job during the World Teachers' Day

Firstly, that was kind of long for a title. (laughs) It was October 5, 2010, the world was celebrating the teachers' day. No matter where you are in the map or what timezone you are in, if you are a teacher, this day was designed for you and for me.

I was in my 22 years of existence (sounds like Venus Raj huh?) and I am a teacher. Teaching in a private SPED school in the middle of the school year...with approximately ten students per day...and away from home.

I always knew that I am physically competent so mentally as I teach but I guessed I  have to admit that EMOTIONALLY I am not. Everytime I went back to our boarding house from school I always wished to see my mother asking me, "How's your day?" and my father sharing his cup of coffee with me but then how could it be if I am miles away from them. I believed that no matter how hard my day was or  how much I wore myself out just the thought that at the end of the day I'll be in the most comforting arms of my family then no work will be hard for me but I was having a hard time not with what teaching requires me but TEACHING AWAY FROM MY FAMILY.

I honestly wanted to quit as soon as the time permits but I did not want to leave my students without somebody to teach, love, show care, protect, help, guide (and more positive verbs a teacher performs) them. It's between PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY and PERSONAL NEEDS. Which one should I go?

I chose to be the professional one but personally I was in pieces. My emotions did affect my teaching. I was being unfair to my students as in I am not in my 100% teaching stance. My students deserved someone better. With me, like that, I definitely did not worth to have them. I did think that I am not doing any right thing so I talked to the school. I made the issue of my leaving knowledgeable to them. I wished to leave by December so that Christmas vacation will be a good time to look for a replacement, the more competent teacher at the moment.

Everything was right then but things should really need to be right than right (right?). So the school where I was teaching decided that there's no difference between leaving by October and leaving by December and there I go, October 5, 2010 was my last day in that school. Happy Teachers' Day!
  
 I got what I want, I'll be with my family soon but I was sad. I have to leave my students soon as well. It was alright to both feel glad and sad at the same time right?

When I got home, my family welcomed me back with so much love. They still go after what I think best for me. It was October 6, 2010 and it was official, I am unemployed (Tambay!!!). I consider myself unemployed and not jobless because TEACHING IS NOT A JOB...IT IS A PROFESSION. Yes, I lost my teaching job but not my teaching career that is within me and I am capable of giving it at its best when I am at my best as well and now that I am already with my family,  I forgot when was the last time I was this motivated to TEACH.

But things are not that easy anymore. I have to deal with my sister's joke that at this moment I belong to the Philippines' PABIGAT SA LIPUNAN. It was just a joke. Funny for some, or very irritating, or for me, a bit hurtful but since I am already back with my happy family I got to deal with it easily. I came up with a response something like, "Wait til' I get hired again. You won't get even a candy on my first salary but...a chocolate bar can be," then you'll hear the laughs and you will smile and say, "Thanks God, I'm HOME."

4 (na) komento:

  1. I consider myself unemployed and not jobless because TEACHING IS NOT A JOB...IT IS A PROFESSION. Yes, I lost my teaching job but not my teaching career that is within me and I am capable of giving it at its best when I am at my best as well and now that I am already with my family,
    ...i love your blogs supahmharz!!!

    TumugonBurahin
  2. From the admin of Beed Sped Facebook Account (Tanauan City):

    "i like your "Losing my teaching job during the World Teachers' Day!"... thumbs up! :)"

    (Thank you so much for liking it! ---Len :D)

    TumugonBurahin
  3. To oxie j1n...supah thanks my supahmharz! :D

    TumugonBurahin
  4. Hello Len,

    I've heard of different kinds of teaching jobs. If you really want to stay close to your family (likd I do) why not consider a job in online teaching? I'm sure you will one day get your teaching groove back or maybe find your true calling.

    Anyway, while contemplating why not drop by Special Education Philippines website, http://www.specialeducationphilippines.com/ and maybe you can find your drive in serving children with special needs.

    TumugonBurahin