Creative Nonfiction:
Teachers in the New
Normal
A Reflective Essay
By
Nelson G. Versoza, LPT,
MAEd, DHum, DLitt, Ph.D.(units)
"No one should teach who is
not in love with teaching."
Teaching is both a talent and a
passion. Ideally, it is not that plum job, but teachers are the magnificent
reservoir of learning knights from God, and we are grateful for them. The
people who construct a great country are the ones who make the earth better
off. Even for Doctor Jose Rizal, teachers have the mission of elevating the
nation thru developing the people's perspective. A teacher teaches us that
using an ordinary pen of potentials is more valuable than a massive fiery
lightning sword of indolence. These individuals are highly treasured because
they enhance the lives of others, especially the youth. In many ways, they are
like the sublime high-end pedestals of society, helping to shape people into
better citizens. Knowledge and education are the pillars upon which everything
worthwhile in life is built. Teachers empower today's youth by providing them
with the indispensable instruments for success in the future. Teachers help
learners understand complex concepts by simplifying them. They incorporate online
and offline self-learning modules into their lessons, and the Department of
Education has established, deconstructed, and unpacked learning competencies.
A pandemic teacher is a dedicated
educator who stays 6 feet apart yet teaches from the heart, all while smiling
and smiling at a mask while continuing to multi-task.
In today's state, we have been
severely afflicted by a corruptible virus that has resulted in a pandemic. Even
face-to-face classes are desolated at the moment. This is not simply a quandary
for students; it is also for teachers. As a teacher, I should feel raptured
about teaching despite having on the rack with the new setup. I would also try
every method I could think of to keep my students engaged in the online
classroom or in the comfort of their learning spaces at home. I am driving from
barrio to barrio, barangay to barangay, town to town to deliver self-learning modules
and activity sheets. I would travel any length to fulfill my vocation as a
teacher, even if the routes to neighboring barrios were rough. Books are
somewhat of a flight of fancy, but I never give up on education. I prepare the
bulk of the modules, learning plans, answer sheets, innovations, and
interventions if needed.
For the time being, as a supplement
to the modular activities, we are using alternative strategies and online platforms.
Most of my learners often whined about how slow their internet was, while
others did not. Hearing of students eager to study but unable to because they
are burning their fingers hurts my heart. If anything like this happened to a
student, I would provide remedial lessons. Having to repeat my class discussion
for students who could not attend because of unanticipated circumstances does
not bother me in the least. I am an educator who emphasizes the learning
experience rather than the test results. Even with this form of learning, the
emphasis should be on interaction and feedback rather than exercises and
assessments since real learning happens thru first-hand experiences; it is not
flogging a dead horse.
I constantly take on the role of an
educator who periodically checks in on them like a watchful pilot to see how
they are doing - the path of progression. Since it is difficult for students to
adjust to this new situation, and since I do not want them to get overwhelmed
by the amount of material they have to master, I am not offering them many
exercises, but instead will monitor their progress daily to see how they are
doing. Furthermore, weekly home visits with my students are included in my
errands to determine whether or not their parents are susceptible to providing
adequate care for their children in real-time. Since I think that parents are
equally accountable for their children's education because they become their
teachers at home, I would build rapport with their parents in order for us to
make things work.
I believe that we have moved yonder
the point of just informing and educating. It is also not the time for
blamestorming to stop the rot. We are at the novel chapter of the educational fruition.
This is an important test for us, too. If you are ready to have a go at the big picture, here is how to do it. This means drawing the line, taking risks, and
trying innovative things for many teachers. However, even in the middle of such
a catastrophe, I would not allow myself to get complacent at my desk, for I am
deeply in love with my teaching.
“To teach
is to reach students;
to align
their mindset into new perspectives.”
