I haven’t climbed the breath-taking Mt Everest or seen the golden blocks of Grand canyon. Nor have I back-packed round the enchanted Mt. Makiling or trekked the lands of La Mesa Dam. The Antarctica is not a place that I have ventured to because I get sea sick and just hopped on a boat for the first time recently. I haven’t flown to the moon with Neil Armstrong at that time because, aside from it was expensive, I wasn’t born yet…

I’m not a mighty skydiver or a canyon-climbing queen. I’m not an adrenaline junkie who does bungee jumping off a bridge because I am really afraid of heights. I haven’t donated millions of money to the people who suffered from the Mt. Mayon eruption or gave used clothing and food to the deadly landslide victims. These are some of the great things that a person can do. Yet you see, I haven’t done any of these, but If God would ask me, I can tell him one.

I’m not an adventurer, I’m not rich and I can’t do all of these. As what George Bernard Shaw said, “He who can, does. He who cannot, teaches. I am a teacher. And teaching is the great thing I’ve ever done.

When I was a child, I never thought of becoming a teacher. I wanted to become a flight stewardess. I remember Mr. Saavedra, ICNHS principal and his panel of interviewers asked me during an interview. He asked “Are you applying for a teacher or a flight stewardess?” I replied with a grin “Can I apply both?”

Then there was a burst of laughter that escaped. I ranked 1st but I wasn’t hired, there was no available slot. Year 2000, I applied in ICC and conspicuously got accepted.

When our big school yard basked in pale sunlight, I was waiting for my first school day to begin. I was curious and enthusiastic about this new world, which I would already have wanted to enter. I have many good memories of my teaching years. My students made a deep impression on me about what a good teacher I was.

They said I was creative and talented in a versatile way. Indeed, I was!

Teaching is an art form. So I promote the individual and let create juices flow. I’ve taught different kinds of students, met different groups of youngsters. I’ve taught ‘The-class-from-hell’ - and just survived the task! At least I feel they are more human now.

So it’s not exploring, discovering or adventuring that I love most. I’ve been a clerk and secretary but teaching really fits me like a glove Even if it was so stressful sometimes, there was programming, reporting, assessing and late night’s marking written work - but for me teaching’s such a blessing, for children, they were trusted to my care -40 hours a week! And I’d like to teach them more that the Capital of Zimbabwe.

To make a difference in their lives was my real goal and passion. Guiding them to contemplate- cooperate and be compassionate. Education’s not just a giant knowledge bank of facts but it’s a lifelong skill to ensure that students won’t be tempted to drugs and to the wrong track. As their teacher, I became a judge, a mentor or a friend. I had an influence of a monumental kind. I had made a difference, I had changed mankind! But it wasn’t really to create the ‘super race’. I wanted teaching them the power of who they are, to build their self-esteem. To let them know they are a star and can be what they like! To teach them right from wrong so they’ll not be meeting police officers. To stop frustration and annoyance. And work for future peace. Along the way they’ve learned the academic skills that they have needed. This to follow the path to a successful life. An innate satisfaction.

So I haven’t gone to sports' extremes to get my kicks and thrills instead I have equipped myself with skills of behavior modification. And thrown myself into a class with vigor, zest, and zeal for it’s in the classroom that I can make a difference. Especially in the modern class with more oppositional defiant kids who are always keeping scores. There are children with language disorders who need that special attention and we’re always staying in at lunchtime to supervise detention. But these make teaching such a buzz, they’re just the unusual perks.

My achievements may not appeal to some - but for me it really worked. It’s what produces my adrenaline rush - and makes me feel worthwhile. I’m a heroine to the kids I’ve taught. The Greatest thing I’ve ever done? I hear you asking me. I guess it was going to University at the age of 17 and then following a career that to me - none can beat it- is really quite a feat.

Ref: Aussie Teacher