By: Ronan C. Relova

                                No childhood memories could ever be complete without the influence of fairy tales, especially for the pre-social media millennials. They were generally the recipients of the life lessons shown in the morals and values exemplified by the characters and virtues revealed in the stories.

                                Fairy tales captivate the imagination of its viewers and readers with all its fancy and out-of-this-world story telling; but, discreetly, these animated films and storybooks develop the sense of reasoning and enhance the critical and creative thinking of a young mind. On this line, it also opens the cognizance of the youth on how to deal with life’s problems and complexities using practical and humorous approaches. Just like teachers, the heroes and antagonists in the stories instill many wisdom that everyone can relate to. And just like teachers, the central characters and their enemies have qualities that linger in our memories forever.

                                On a lighter note, allow me to highlight these similarities between your favorite gurus and fairy tale characters that molded our personalities and holistic beings.

                                Teachers are like Cinderella, they observe time-on-task. They know the value of lost time, that’s why they make the best out of every moment given to them. When Cinderella was told to go home before the clock hits midnight, she made sure that she spends each second in the ball frolicking with the love of her life. Just like a teacher, when she is given a deadline, she goes beyond what is expected of her in order to beat the deadline and deliver the goods needed.

                                Similarly, a teacher knows the value of inclusivity and diversity. She makes sure that each student is able to learn and accepted for whoever he/she is. It is in the same way that Snow White attended to the seven dwarfs. Their mantra is a thundering, “Different strokes for different folks” in order to cater to multifaceted individuals around them. Both know that when one needs special attention and care, they have to take into consideration the diversity of characteristics of each person.

                                Just like King Triton, Ariel’s father from “The Little Mermaid”, a teacher is oftentimes misinterpreted for being strict with her rules and regulations. She sets norms and instructions in order to develop the sense of responsibility to the youth. She sends a clear message that because rules are given, each person can be held accountable if disobedience and hard headedness come first.

                                A teacher can also be like Elsa, who puts others first before her own. She tends to isolate herself from the rest of the world whenever her patience reaches the end of the rope. She may be misconstrued as frigid and snob, but her heart beats genuine love for the people around her. And in the end, she becomes one of those individuals who are dearly loved and cared for.

                                Just like Geppetto from Pinocchio, educators also teach the value of being child-like. He lets a child live like a child. He does not rush the development of someone’s maturity in order to let that person enjoy every moment of life. He believes that holistic learning should start from the basics. He also gives emphasis on the value of honesty in order to build credibility and integrity as one grows older.

                                In her classroom, a responsible instructor teaches a youngster to be independent and brave. Just like in the case of Merida and Moana who proved that princes are not required to be called a princess. Aside from fighting their individual foes, they never forgot to appreciate the love of family. That no matter what happens, family members should never be taken for granted for they are the source of the most unconditional endearment there is.

                                In connection, a teacher also opens the mind of her students that family does not have to be blood-related. The moment she receives her learners at the beginning of the school year, she unlocks her heart in order to let the children in. She shows love and compassion to her students as if they were her own offspring, the way Timon and Pumba raised Simba to become the Lion King that he was.

                                On a deeper note, when man lacks education, he tends to live like animals just like in the situation of Tarzan and Mowgli who innocently believed that their biological parents were either apes or felines. Metaphorically and literally, they were both stripped off the world’s protection because of their naiveness and gullibility. The naked truth about illiteracy, so to speak.

                                This only goes to show that as a teacher, one has to know how to instill knowledge and life-based learning to students in whatever manner he can, in order to eventually realize the DepEd vision and mission and fight off idiocy in the modern society.

                               As a whole, fairy tales and reality can be similar in many ways. Both can be gateways and spectrums for learning. It is up to us to make innovations in the real world in order to apply the magic and grandeur of the land from far, far away in order for every one of us to live happily ever after.