By: Rose Ann N. Oliva
Administrative Assistant II

Our teachers are humans and humans tend to have a lot going on in their lives. We celebrated World Teachers Day Last October 5, 2022. We celebrated their existence and their contribution to the society but more than celebrating our teachers, we should know their struggles. Frustration, negativity, mental health crisis, tons of reports and heavy workloads are now part of the teaching profession. These are the few struggles that they have to deal with as teachers. Many days in their teaching careers, could be brought to the edges of themselves. In those moments the struggle is real.

In the midst of the COVID-19 global pandemic, the struggles are plentiful and painful. Teachers are being stretched in ways they never imagined. Teachers wrestled with gadget and internet connectivity issues, learning curves with virtual platforms, and school-life balance, while trying to stay sane during lockdown. Now, face-to-face classes are back, many teachers are overwhelmed with the challenges under the new setup. There are also those who refuse to give in. Instead, they try to embrace the challenges of the so-called “new normal” to help ensure that learning will continue despite the anxiety that they are experiencing because of the deadly virus. They need to be vigorous for the learners so that they can fill the gaps that the children are looking for. The gaps that no profession could fill in but only the teachers.

Teachers are arguably the most important members of our society. They give children purpose, set them up for success as citizens of our world, and inspire in them a drive to do well and succeed in life. The children of today are the leaders of tomorrow and teachers are that crucial point that makes a child ready for their future. As what SDS Fatima D. Buen said during the celebration of World Teacher’s Day of SDO Masbate City “teachers are like a candle, it consumes itself to light the way for others”.

One of the teachers’ abilities is to adapt in the face of adversity. There are no easy answers to battles that the teachers are facing but finding your way to what feels right for you as an individual is the key to winning them.

Which means we have to deal with these moments of struggle so we can learn what they have to teach us and ultimately be transformed. So struggle on, our dear teachers. I know the struggle is real – but it’s also what transforms us to our most wholehearted selves.