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THE MEASURE OF A GREAT TEACHER

“Never underestimate the power of the teacher
to make a difference in the lives of others.”

By Joseph V. Landy
Author, LETTER TO A YOUNG TEACHER


I can’t deny that the most noble job in this world is still TEACHING. Of course, not everybody will agree with this statement but remember what the movie THE DA VINCI CODE emphasized: WHAT MATTERS IS WHAT YOU BELIEVE.

A teacher can touch the heart, the mind and the soul of a person. In fact, teachers can make or break this country. Without teachers, who will force primary students to read and write well? Without teachers, who will instill discipline among teenagers whose parents have no time for them? Without teachers, who will challenge young people’s mind and soul? Without teachers, how can doctors be doctors, or nurses be nurses? If all nurses, for example, will leave the country to earn dollars abroad, then, who else will teach future nurses? I bet you know the answer: NO ONE.

Indeed, being a teacher is a way of doing things for the others. The others, I suppose, are the students who are willing to learn from teachers.
In the end, the teachers’ fulfillment also lies on the students’ achievements. The students’ success is more of a “fruit of the labor” for the teachers. This was what I felt when the two groups from my documentary production class last semester won in the national film-making contest sponsored by Pro-Life Phils., Inc. Upon knowing that they won, I told myself:
I AM TRULY HAPPY FOR THEM FOR THIS IS ONE CHANCE I NEVER HAD IN COLLEGE.


I think, I must be happier than the students for I know that my unconscious effort in encouraging them to join and to produce quality documentary films finally had a fruit—that is in the form of a national award for my students’ creative effort. Finally, my students are able to do things I never had an opportunity to do --- winning in national competitions. Let me tell you this: THERE IS NOTHING SWEETER THAN SEEING YOUR STUDENTS SURPASS WHAT YOU HAVE DONE. Believe me.

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