By: Jocelyn C. Dellosa

“Would you rather go left where there is nothing right, or go right where there is nothing left?“. This question is quite puzzling in terms of its content and depending on the way of thinking of the person being asked. Teachers, in connection, would oftentimes encounter baffling questions like these. It is a given fact that teachers oftentimes encounter complicated questions with life-based answers.

In all its context, I would rather answer the question with going left where there is nothing right, rather than go right where there is nothing left. This, primarily, is because if everything is not going right, we can always find ways to change things to favor what is morally correct, while if we go right where there is nothing left, it would definitely mean that everything in that area has gone to waste, and that everyone just gave up and it all fell apart.

In the world of education, teachers are always given the chance to choose. Sometimes, we tend to cling to decisions that are against our will for we now that it will bring more goodness to everyone. This leads us to do sacrifices in order to come up with the best solutions for the benefit of our learners. These reasons make teaching the noblest profession.

Self-sacrifice is part of an educator’s life for he/she manifests characteristics that are mirrored and anchored on the teachings of God. This maybe is because Jesus Christ is also a teacher. He taught us lessons that are valuable to life and made us love every student like our own child and accept everyone around us for who they are. These values and principles are the guiding force for us to become effective and endearing disciples of education.

One more ethical standard that all teachers must possess is the ability to stand for what is morally and politically correct. We pledge to serve and adhere to the norms and rules of both the Divine and the mandates of man. We should be able to understand the importance of living a life worthy of emulation from the people around us. After all, the essence of our living is based on the lives we have touched and the legacies we have left behind.

To top it all, whenever we make decisions, we should weigh all the effects it will make for everyone. Will it be for the betterment of the world or contribute to its downfall? We should make a lot of considerations when we make decisions.

Who knows, maybe next time we are asked, we will be left to choose between going left where everything is right or go right where everything is left for everyone to choose to be right again.