To be called a teacher is easy. You just have to take an education course and pass the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET). After that, you can be called a licensed professional teacher already. However, BEING a teacher is far beyond than that. It doesn’t just end up with passing the LET. It is a lifelong process which requires you to have skills and competencies. Being a teacher means being flexible, adaptable, knowledgeable, inventive, innovative, creative, caring, resourceful, sociable, and many other traits that would help in the teaching-learning process. It means providing quality education to learners and helping them in achieving holistic learning, growth, and development.
My observation periods in the real classroom at Bunga National High School opened my eyes to the daily reality of education. I have seen that the “ideal” classroom may not always be the case in conducting real classes due to several affecting factors like the learners’ diversity, the teachers’ teaching strategies and methods, the school administration’s level of support, the government’s budget for school facilities, and the school-community relationships. As mentioned above, being a teacher means possessing skills and competencies in order to appropriately address the needs of the learners. When I examine myself as to whether I am ready to take on the challenge of being a teacher, I could say that half of me is ready while the other is quite hesitant. I am ready because I was once a student and have experienced learning from teachers. I know how it feels to be in their shoes. Being able to experience the students’ perspectives is a strength that I can use in teaching. I also think that I am capable of teaching students with Mathematics due to the training and experiences that I have gained from studying this four-year degree program. Moreover, this field study course has even opened up new strengths for me by letting me experience how the teaching-learning process has become after the event of distance learning due to the pandemic. In relation to the learning transition, I am also well-acquainted with the 21st century educational technology tools. However, despite the strengths that I have as mentioned above, I am still hesitant if I could really teach ideally. I am not good at communicating with other people, especially when we talk about school-community partnership. I tend to stutter a lot when talking to people outside my circle of acquaintances. I am easily tensed and nervous. Aside from that, I am also afraid to reprimand students for misbehavior, thinking that it might affect their self-esteem in the class. Being able to see how students badly behave in a face-to-face classroom made me doubt my capabilities if I could really do it. I think this is the part that I must improve first. I must believe in myself that I can do it. When you believe you can do it, you start to do things that would help you in achieving your goal. I know being a teacher is really tiring. But, putting the first reason why I pursued an education course, that is – to teach students with knowledge, equip them with skills, and prepare them for the real world – gives me a sense of purpose.
Having mentioned my strengths and weaknesses, I have learned that one needs motivation to continue. Our field study instructor somewhat gave us motivation through his diligence in meeting us weekly to discuss the things that we must accomplish. Besides, he also inserted words of wisdom in a funny way but literally makes sense. Moreover, he also expressed affirmative feedbacks on each submitted output which allows me to assess my performance and improve my works. It has been a meaningful field study journey and I wouldn’t have done it without the help of my field study supervisor. The activities given were also appropriate to the learning modules and has let me think out of the box to comply accordingly. Our opinions on certain matters regarding the lesson were also acknowledged. In the future, I want my students to experience the same thing. I want them to have meaningful learning sessions where their opinions are acknowledged and where affirmation is valued.
These realizations that I have learned through my Field Study journey would help me in my future endeavor. The firsthand experiences inside a real classroom would definitely prepare me for my teaching internship next semester. It has opened more opportunities for me to learn how students behave, to be acquainted with school programs and partnerships with the community, to device teaching strategies and methods that would support holistic learning, to improve my character and upbringing especially in lengthening my patience, and to do my best in whatever challenge that may come. Remembering Ms. Pierson’s words in TED talk, “We are born to make a difference,” inspires me to always look at the brighter side of teaching. That even when there are several factors that could bring me down, I know I always have that one reason to continue what I do. Thus, to fully equip myself with knowledge and skills as a teacher, I must take every challenge along the way. After all, I wouldn’t be here if teaching wasn’t my call. And, I want to teach. I want to share my knowledge and expertise to students. I want to see them succeed. I want to create a difference. Every progress that I have achieved is done to uphold the values of a good teacher. As of now, though I may not yet be an ideal teacher, I know that I still did a good job for always giving my best in everything.