REDEFINING AN EDUCATOR’S BLAZING PASSION

Under extreme conditions of stress, teachers’ performance levels get adversely affected, leading to the loss of motivation to help students learn. This is also called burnout, a state of chronic distress characterized by exhaustion, cynicism, and inefficacy. All teachers experience it at some point in their careers. When these become too much, giving up and shifting careers may even be inevitable, much like any other professional would consider.

Experiencing burnout is nothing new. But this pandemic complicates the situation for teachers. Social interactions are at a bare minimum, which means no more office conversations with colleagues, pep talks from bosses, and priceless classroom moments with students. Moreover, teachers are the first ones plunged into a new scheme of working, shifting from traditional methods to newer and more foreign ones. This must have taken a lot of toll on them. In a recent survey by the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), respondents felt that the online setup had a detrimental impact on their physical and mental health. They further mentioned that they were already experiencing illnesses caused by the problems in schooling during the pandemic. But back then, teachers were already victims of burnout. In 2018, the Teachers' Dignity Coalition called for a change in the policies regarding the workload given to teachers. They pointed out that teachers having an excessive amount of work deprived them of performing their main role as their attention was divided between teaching and other tasks.

Yearly, everyone commemorates in different parts of the year the teachers’ efforts, sacrifices, and legacies. The Chinese devote September to honor their teachers in line with Confucius’ birthday. UNESCO has declared October 5 as World Teacher’s Day. Philippine Cultural College - Main Campus still looks forward to its celebration, like the Golden Apple Awards, and its own World Teacher's Day program that follows next month.

But in this commemoration, perhaps it’s high time to look at teachers as humans too--prone to immense pressure and stress, hence even burnout. But on the other side, imagining teachers as efficient agents of education is definitely possible. For one, work-life balance is a good starting point. They can answer emails and messages within a reasonable timeframe, but still be able to relax, destress, and even recover from a long day’s work. Aside from this, teachers can also pursue their passions and enthusiasms amid the huge tides of professional responsibilities. Ultimately, they can take care of their families, be with their friends, and even spend time with a significant other. After all, one cannot give what he or she does not have: a comfortable and meaningful life.

Education is a collaborative effort among students, teachers, administrators, and parents. Hence, forgetting anyone’s mental well-being can never be afforded. This way, teachers won’t experience the impact of burnout, or at the very least, should not feel that they are alone. A teacher with no blazing flames of desire to teach can never be capable of producing wonders, for they would be reduced to a dying ember.