Finding a job nowadays seems to be so difficult despite one’s good qualities and eligibilities that is why when I was hired at my current school as a public teacher, I told myself I will do everything to do my responsibility as an efficient and effective teacher. But the question is, “Am I ready?” Are we teachers ready to go into the field of millennial learners? Do we have the ability to engage our student’s needs? Are we aware of their changing attitudes and behaviors towards learning and school? Of course, my answer is a BIG YES. Most of the teachers now are really updated with the modernities in teaching and I strongly believe that they are competent enough to practice their duty in the field of reality. But what is the real dilemma?
Sometimes we say that our job has become a ball and chain because there is too much paper work. We tend to focus on our duty outside the four corners of the room (SF1, SF2, SF3, SF4, SF5, SF6, SF8, Form 137, Form 138, Project Proposal, Action Research and the bloodiest, IPCRF). I am afraid that we are missing the real essence of a teacher – “to teach.” I believe that God wants us to bring out our best for our students to learn and to reach their goals and dreams beyond their capacity. The key is to know our learners and what they need as a 21st century learners. We are in a world with a modern generation of learners in need of teachers knowledgeable not only in their subject matter but also updated educational technology and learning strategies for them to develop their learners’ knowledge and transform these into useful practice.
But how can we really do these if we are always bombarded with the works outside the classroom? Can we honestly say that we are giving our full attention towards our learners’ learning and needs? In the other countries, government teachers have their own teacher aids. They do all the visual aids, recordings, and paper works. In short, teachers are only focused on teaching strategy and their lessons and how to impart the lessons to the students, plus, they have a high compensation, but that is another issue.
I have faith that teachers here in the Philippines have more than enough skills to mold our future leaders and educators. But did you see the real problem?
By Julieann Martin
