11162021

Bumping into my highschool teacher last saturday reminded me of the sad thing about being a teacher. I find it sad for the teacher's part when his students would finally complete a course and graduate. I mean, more or less, a teacher spends four years with the same set of students. During these four long years, a lot can happen. There would be a lot of activities that the teacher and the students would be participating in and there would be lot of days that they can count to be together.

Seeing the same faces all day,five times a week would spark friendship. If not friendship, I'm sure there would be a connection or a relationship that will eventually sprout and will keep on budding and growing as the years go by.

A teacher could be goofy and strict but it is certain that they think of their students' common good. When we are still holding classes in brick and mortar classrooms, the teachers and students can easily build relationship and close gaps within each other. No matter how strict or reserve a teacher is, he/she will still be friends with her/his students in the long run. It is not mandatory but it just unconciously unfolds.

Everyday, when a teacher conducts classes and spearheads activities, the bond will be slowly formed. Respect will be given and earned and trust with each other will be visible. It is essential because at school, the teacher is the parent. He/she acts as the parent. Some teachers don't act. It comes out naturally. They care genuinely. That's when the students will love them most.

Back when we were in highschool, we are close with our teachers especially during the fourth year. All of us had establish a good relationship with our teachers and we were all in good terms with them. They come in different characteristics but all of them showed concern and love towards us. That is why they have a special place in our hearts.

The most difficult time for a teacher may be the last days of the students in school. While they might be happy of their students' achievements, it is inevitable that they can also feel sadness as the same set of students that stayed with them for yours will be moving on to the next chapter.

At least for me that is the most difficult time. I'm not being selfish and possessive but when I imagine that my students will now move on from the four walls of classroom and explore life, I would think of that time as bittersweet. I would be happy for their achievements but sadness will also fills the atmosphere with their absence.

A teacher will be left in the same classroom for years while the students would learn from her/him and eventually move on to the next chapter of life. It is so sad that the students will now have all of their time to explore the world and life at their heart's content while the teacher does the same thing every year, confined in the four walls. The worst part is when you bumped into your students and they wouldn't be able to greet you or even notice you at all.

Imagine the pain of teaching a student for years and then years later when he/she will cross paths with yours, she will never be able to recognize you like before. That is what I fear the most.

I don't want to feel those in the future. I don't want to feel stuck in the classroom. I would give time for myself to explore and do different things that would break monotony. I would be happy when my students would learn from me and eventually spread their wings and fly. I would not take it personally if they wouldn't be able to recognize me in the long run but I will settle myself in the idea that I have shared some parts of me with them in one way or another.

Happy Tuesday read-fam! Just another senti realization and imagination just because I bumped into my old high school teacher. She still looks the same and it has been seven years or six? Haha. Goodnight and thank you for reading! Until then.

P.S. Thank you to my new sponsor @foryoubtc09 . Thanks you for your generosity and for believing in me. God will bless you a thousand folds.

*Lead Image is from Unsplash.com