Photo credits here.

I received a sad news this previous week from a colleague of mine: some of our former teachers have been ill lately. Like for example, my former high school science teacher has been diagnosed with breast cancer. She had mastectomy (surgical removal of breasts) already and unfortunately, the cancer has already metastasized to her ovaries and bone. Surprisingly, when I asked my former biology teacher (of whom I crossed paths last Friday), I found out that this particular science teacher of mine, despite of her illness, she still continues to teach in my former high school.

I am touched by her dedication in her teaching vocation. Not all people have the strength to continue teaching despite the complications of their disease. Not all people can have the heart to selflessly offer their knowledge to the next generation of citizens in this country. That is why, of all professions, the teachers are considered as the nationbuilders.

Few may think the greatness of the responsibility that teachers have in their shoulders. Their responsibilities and impact to the youth does not end in the four walls of the classroom. Their impact transcend beyond that and embeds itself deeply into the youth’s consciousness. We may not reach our current state today if not for our dear teachers. Whatever they have thought us, small or big, all of that are cherished treasures. Immeasurable and priceless.

When I heard about her condition as well as the upcoming benefit concert in our former alma mater, I did not hesitate in blocking my schedule for that particular date. It has been 9 years since I have last seen my old high school. It has been 9 years since my last communication with my former teachers. It has been 9 years since I trooped in that school, carrying my usual load of books and listening to their lectures. If not for them, I may not have reached my current state today. And I now appreciate the value and responsibility of their vocation, now that I belong among their ranks. Its not easy to teach the younger generations, given the fact that the attitudes of the generation today is much different than the generation before them.  Its not easy to gather all the strength and will to motivate your students because not all of them will listen intently to your lesson or at least pay a little bit of their attention in what you are saying.

Teachers are indeed nationbuilders. They have in their hands, the metaphorical spades that plant the seeds of knowledge and awareness into the consciousness of their students. And as that seed take root inside those young minds, the youth will develop into the future citizens of our country. Eventually, in 5 to 10 years time, the youth will be able to sow the fruits of nationbuilding that their teachers planted during their student years.

I am wondering about the condition of my former teacher. Sure is, that same scenario can also happen in other teachers out there. If the teachers are taking care of the next generation of citizens in this country, are they being taken care of our government? These selfless public servants are already going extinct, given the fact that some of them have flown to greener pastures. But some of them remained here in our country, still doing their responsibilities despite the hardships. I really do wonder. How about the other teachers in the Barrio who just conduct their class under the trees or perhaps, having a hard time delivering their class because of the lack of chairs, classrooms and lecture materials? I hope our government would be able to take care of these public servants. Because without them, there will no be citizens in this country and the sacred act of nationbuilding would probably dissolved into a mythical act.

I just wanted to tell the world how indebted I am to my teachers. Hindi ko mararating ang kinaroroonan ko and quite possibly the next horizons that I will fearlessly traverse, kung di dahil sa mga tinuro nila sa akin. To all of my former teachers: my sincere thanks to your dedication and patience in inculcating the seeds of knowledge and awareness. Salamat po, Ma’am and Sir!

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silver is the blogger behind Dare to Speak Out, a personal and commentary blog.She graduated with a degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology. She posts blogs that ranges in different topics – from trivial to the political. She currently works as a freelance writer.