The Gifts of Education

Throughout my years in school, I've had the privilege of learning from some awe-inspiring teachers, but two of them really left a mark on my heart and mind. They are like my second parents — teachers who not only teach, but guide and show care like real parents. With their care and dedication, I learned not only book lessons but also important life lessons and skills that strengthened me as a student and shaped me as a future educator.

From the moment I stepped foot into the university, I immediately felt nervous because I'm sure there are many terror teachers here. But I met this teacher of ours who was known as strict by most but for me, he was wonderful. He is not just a teacher, he is like a father guiding us students to reach our full potential.

I realized that being a good teacher is not just about kindness; sometimes, it is necessary to be strict and firm to push the learners to reach their ultimate and full potential. He showed that a teacher's greatest achievement is seeing their learners grow and succeed, even if it means surpassing their own knowledge. One of the things I will never forget he did for me was helping me regain my self-confidence. In my first year of college, I was very shy because of my past experiences of bullying. But with his teaching, I learned to step out of my comfort zone. Apart from the lectures, he also broadened our outlook on life.

One unforgettable activity that we had in his subject was the Ethnographic Research, where I learned to talk and listen to locals in the community. One of the locals I interviewed, let's just call him by the name "Kuya Eddie," a motorcycle driver in a highly-urbanized area. He shared the story of changes in his area, how green spaces were lost due to urbanization. This experience not only improved my communication skills but also deepened my understanding of contemporary problems faced by communities.

I will also never forget our museum tour in Cebu City with of course our teacher that became part of my core memory. Because of this, I was able to better understand the rich history and culture of Cebu. Through seeing various artifacts firsthand, it made me appreciate my roots even more and deepened my love for the subject of Social Studies.

My other favorite teacher is like a second mother. She is strict, but we feel that it's because she cared deeply about our development. One of the things I admire about her is her way of teaching, she had this ability to simplify complex topics in our History subject. Also, I admire her forward-looking mindset. She not only taught us about the past happenings but also emphasized the importance of being prepared for the future.

One of my memorable experiences was when she had us use Virtual Reality (VR) to see historical sites like Machu Picchu in Peru. Because of this, my interest in history was deeper, especially in the Inca civilization.

All in all, my two teachers were more than just teachers to me— they were my inspirations. Through their example, I learned to be more confident, caring, and mindful.

As I dream of becoming a Social Studies teacher in the future, I will take everything I learned from them to inspire future generations of students as well.

I truly realized that teachers like them are the gifts of education, they serve as my light and guide in my journey as a student towards achieving my goals in life.