The way you value your parents will change once you become a parent yourself. Same goes with how we perceive other people. We tend to give others a higher level of respect, once we experienced how it is to be in their shoes. This was exactly happened to me when I ventured to teaching. 

For those who have been reading my blog, you are more or less familiar on how I landed in this field.  I began to develop my interest in teaching during my third year in college. Graduation came and I wanted to pursue a teaching career in the university that honed me for four years. To my biggest surprise, I received my first taste of job rejection. I was advised to pursue a masteral degree and reapply when I finally have that diploma in my resume. The rejection affected me the most because it felt like part of my dream was taken away and among all organizations, it came from my alma mater.

I decided to let go of my dream to teach. I ventured to another career that interests me the most. I wanted to write. Being a major in Economics and Statistics, I told myself that I’m fitted for research. I was hired as an Academic Researcher and my first assignments required me to conduct and write studies for the upper management. While I was already enjoying my writing job, I forgot everything about teaching. I also started to pursue my MBA and the dream to become an educator was not anymore thriving in me. 

Years later, a teaching opportunity came. My employer who happens to be a school offered me a teaching stint in the collegiate department. Four years and counting, I never stopped teaching.

In the span of five years, I gained my own share of happiness and heartaches in this profession. Harsh words, disrespectful kids, bottomless paper works, name it all. Such experiences are so priceless. No amount of money or material wealth could ever equate.

And why I am suddenly blogging about my teaching profession? My Twitter timeline has been bombarded with retweets and words of gratitude for teachers. Hence, I was encouraged to make my own appreciation  to all my teachers and to the few who left me with traces of inspiration. Allow me to mention some of my well cherished teachers here

Teacher Lolly Tiamzon - I struggled a lot in my early years of schooling. I was almost in the brink of repeating first grade, if Teacher Lolly didn't come to our lives. As much as my mother wanted to tutor me, she has to attend to the needs of my special brother. Teacher Lolly was our life saver. She tutored me from grades 1 to 3. More than assisting me in my assignments, Teacher Lolly taught me to become independent and responsible. She also opened my eyes to the wonderful world of reading. She encouraged me to regularly visit the library and borrow any reading material that would interest me. Unfortunately, Teacher Lolly already passed away before I graduated from Elementary. Wherever Teacher Lolly is, I'm grateful for all her patience and encouragement.  

Teacher Elvira "Elvie" Austero - I survived my remaining years in Elementary without a tutor. I was able to graduate and reach the required grade to enter High School. Since then, my parents never thought that they have to incur additional expenditure for a tutor in Algebra. I failed my Algebra subject in two quarters. I used to have another tutor whom I never got adjusted with his teaching styles. I confided the situation to my Mom and she exhausted all means to search for the best Math tutor. I don't know how my Nanay found Teacher Elvie. All I know is that Teacher Elvie would remain as one of the few and talented teachers who removed by phobia in Math subjects.

Ms. Alma Regaspi - Gorospe - How could I forget Miss Regaspi's pretty face and great command of the English language. She is the best English and Literature teacher I ever had.  My greatest memory with Miss Regaspi was when she recommended me to become a possible representative for an essay writing contest. Despite getting C's in my papers to her class, she trusted in my ability. She made me realize that I can write. 

Sir Abet Guillo - I hated him the most, but remembered him the most after graduation. I hated him for those lectures and examinations in Economic Statistics and Econometrics. My lowest grades in my majors came from his subjects and I hated him for messing my records. haha When I started working in the field of research I unfortunately ate my words. I found all his lectures useful to my career.
 
Sir Zosimo Villa - Sir Villa is my professor in those deadly major subjects in college. He was my professor in Microeconomics, Macroeconomics and Mathematical Economics. The subjects he handled are difficult but I was able to learn a lot from him. In fact, I'm still using my notes from his subjects to my classes. He is the only professor who can teach Economics with just a whiteboard marker and eraser. He only brings himself to the class and could last more than 3 hours of lecture. I often tell myself that if only I could be half as good as Sir Villa, I would be more than fulfilled as an educator.

The profession taught me to respect and appreciate my own teachers better. Now that I'm in their shoes, I realized that teaching is one of life's greatest blessings to me. 

Happy Teacher's Day!