Why do you want to be a teacher? A common response you will hear from a child is: “because I want to be like my teacher, teaching children like me to learn.” I’m sure most of us share the same answer. I also believe that most of us who have achieved this academic goal are still guided by the noble ambition of teaching children.

Teaching does not begin or end with just the basics. Teachers must be competitive and innovative. And becoming one requires a necessary constant updating, because we perform such Herculean tasks from school to extensions of work at home. And with these, we have to fulfill certain expectations from being the nurturers and shapers of young minds to the shapers and builders of the earth. All this is in our hands. The children depend on us as much as the future servants of the nation depend on us.

But why would one want to become a teacher? Opportunity to access work, can be re-answered. The children are increasing. Schools are also growing. The need for teachers is even increasing. Hiring may be from time to time.

But beyond teaching children to learn, it is another call for us teachers and a great challenge to take on. Some would sign up for master’s study, others for a Ph.D., while there are still those who would only focus on attending trainings and seminars. Whether we admit it or not, it is a duty for us teachers to continue seeking professional growth and development because teaching is continuous learning.

However, in our recent days, many of us view earning a graduate degree as more of a springboard for promotion and less of an advancement of professional skills. In fact, I am afraid that one day if I ask my students the same question “Why do you want to be a teacher?” they will answer me “because the chance of getting a job is high if you are a teacher”.

We understand the practicality of life, but let’s not stop being inspired to put dedication as our top priority. After all, it is to these children that we owe our existence as teachers. May our love reign for them, a commitment to fulfill. May it not cease since then, when it was said that we were and will live to be called “My Master, My Hero”.