Is This Inflation I Am Feeling?

This is the first time that I pondered on the (one) peso increase in our subdivision's tricycle fare.  For the many times that fares have gone up, it is only now that I have to pause and take a second look at my money, how much change I'd be getting, and how much more (or less) will remain in my daily expense budget.

Flashback 1992, I recall the first ever tricycle fare that we usually pay when we were new to our place: P3.50 per head on an ordinary trip, P9.00 for a special trip. Going back to terminal is even cheaper at P2.50 per head. Now, more than two decades, the special trip cost then is currently the ordinary minimum fare. For individual special trip fare, you will now pay P22.00. P24.00 if you ride beyond 10PM and P30.00 for a special trip beyond midnight.

Things do change and it is during these times that flashbacks are too pleasant to recall. Then you tell yourself that lifestyle is better back then than the current high cost of living.

20 Reasons Why You Must Not Forget Your Teacher and Should Be Thankful To Them

After school, we step into a new phase in our life and take on the challenge of joining the corporate world, if not having your own business. The many years that prepared us in our current status in life is something we may not forget for as long as we live. And aside from our parents, who is the greatest factor in our life who taught us how to face the “real world” beyond the four corners of the classroom? Our teachers!
For this year’s celebration of National Teachers Month, September 5 to October 5, I am jotting down 20 things that I consider thanking our teachers for. You may have more on your list but I invite you to read on mine and go back to the time when our problems were just our home works, surprise quizzes, and projects submission. Oh, and did I already say thesis defense?

Grade 2 class of 1983, Trinity College of Quezon City (now Trinity University of Asia)

1. Alphabetical name calling during graded recitations. Are you one of those thankful whose surnames start with the latter part of the alphabet? Or are you the first one to tremble when your teacher gets hold of that class record to do a roll call for graded recitation since your surname is either Alvarez, Atienza, or Aquino? I became thankful to this style of my teacher not because my surname starts with the letter “M” but because my alphabetizing skills improved. I always tend to count the number of students to be called before my teacher calls me--- in alphabetical order! But seriously, these graded recitations helped me to come to school prepared by reviewing our lessons regularly. So, thank you, teacher!

2. Surprise quizzes. “Get one half sheet of paper, lengthwise!” oopss… the quiz may be in the form of identification, multiple choice or true or false! “Get one half sheet of paper, crosswise!” uh-oh… does this mean that the surprise quiz will contain essay questions? Teachers who give surprise quizzes helped me to remember the lessons taught the previous day, or even do advance reading for the lesson to be taught next. And yes, it opened my eyes to always bring my own paper--- it’s better to be the giver than the beggar (of paper!) So, thank you, teacher!

3. Your only parent in school. Used to hear that saying that your teachers are your second parents? Actually, they are your ONLY parents when you are in school. When you and your mom or dad experienced that “sepanx” when you first attended school, it was your teacher who instantly welcomed you together with all other kids in the classroom. They let you feel comfortable. And not to mention, remember who washed your behind when your stomach ached and you needed to go? Yes, it’s beyond their duty but they gladly did it for us, anyway. So, thank you, teacher!

4. Ma’am, your secret buddy. Teachers play many roles in school. While many of us just see them standing in front of the blackboard most of the time, holding that chalk and eraser, some of us were able to unravel the other personality of our teacher--- being our confidant! Yes, especially when you are having trouble at home, your teacher becomes your instant spring board. And the best thing about it, he or she gives you sound advise
too. This personality of your teacher makes you feel still valuable during your growing up years when identity crisis is most often. So, thank you teacher!

5. Debate nemesis. Ever encountered having to stress a point with your teacher and nobody between you two ever wanted to give up their ideas? For constantly debating against my point, I learned to reason out professionally, yes, that is arguing with you without disregarding that you are still my senior and mentor, and learned to carefully think well about my ideas before saying it out in public. Also, mutual respect was born. So, thank you teacher!

6. That expert with his/her own craft. In school we have different subjects. Most of the time we identify our teachers by the subject they teach. “Yung math teacher sa grade 5, natuto ako sa kanya!” It is indeed a blessing if you became a student of a teacher who knows his/her craft too well. My speech teacher really had that accent, my Noli Me Tangere professor really took us to the Spanish colony times, and my grade 6 music teacher has taught me to really appreciate Kapampangan folk songs. And some teachers seriously know if you are cheating on your project or not. For being masters of your own craft, and if not, still you strove to perfect the subject you are teaching us, so, thank you teacher!

7. Selling teachers. Who haven’t encountered a teacher who sells in your classroom? Yes, we all know this is prohibited but we just simply admire teachers who find other means to support the income they need for their family. They don’t force you to buy, anyway. These teachers taught me a lot of things, actually. First, being industrious is essential to keep you going day by day. Second, “diskarte.” They find ways to support the needs of their family or loved ones when we all know that their salary as teachers is insufficient. Third, it made me realize that our teachers are selfless. Since being a teacher alone already requires a lot of time and dedication, they still find ways to support their needs in some other ways. So, thank you teacher!

8. Multiple personality. Our teachers are very good at this. If they have 40 students in a classroom, their personality counts to 41. For understanding each and everyone of us, our different attitudes and the way we see things, so, thank you teacher!

9. Keeping us competitive. One of the things I will not forget in my grade school years is that math flash card competition wherein two students race in front then wins a point for the group. For every correct answer, one step forward. These kinds of competition encouraged us to master our lessons, and be competitive socially. So, thank you teacher!

10. Keeping us inspired to excel. When our teacher grouped us to dramatize a chapter in Iliad & Odyssey, or a kabanata in Florante at Laura, we strove very hard to perform our best--- from costumes to props, and of course the over-all performance. Then we always take a glance of our teacher’s facial expression if she is happy with our presentation. And we double our efforts when the teacher invites fellow mentors to judge us. It made us creative and it lessened our stage fright. So, thank you teacher!

11. Best coach ever. Have you been a representative of your school to a certain inter-school competition? Or perhaps an internal litmus program where you will represent your grade level? Yes, our teachers are not only supportive of us but also take time to coach us for
us to be able to give our best performance on stage ever. She teaches, reviews, and judge you personally before you get involved in that big thing. So, thank you teacher!

12. Knowing you by heart. Maybe for some, this isn’t a big deal, but when your teacher knows your nickname and calls you by it, it is something! Not only that. Some teachers know your personal life, knows who your parents are, siblings and relatives. This makes your relationship more personal and you become more comfortable with that kind of a mentor. So, thank you teacher!

13. Believing in us. That session between you and your teacher when you seem to fail on a certain subject. She doesn’t scold you, instead, she encourages you to give more of what you have, telling you that she believes in you. And she even offers to tutor you until you do well with that subject. Heart-warming, yes? So, thank you teacher!

14. Knowledge outside the classroom. During my time when Values Education isn’t a prerequisite to the school curriculum, my teacher has long been imparting lessons in life that enrich your personal values. She gives us situations and let us decide which path to take, then explain the pros and cons of our decision. When we reach our college years, lessons taught extend to our life-would-be after school--- that choosing carefully your career will shape our future and success in life. She gives us options, then guides us what is best to choose. So, thank you teacher!

Our dear mentor, Nanay Fe (rightmost), who taught us a lot about
life values which we were able to apply after college.

15. Learning is fun. I am fortunate to have a teacher who allots time for “brain teasers” or those problem-solving situations that keep your mind thinking. These not only make learning fun, but it helps us to enhance our critical thinking as well. So, thank you teacher!

16. Scolding us for something. Most of us, no, ALL OF US have actually experienced a time when we are not paying attention to the lecture of our teacher for any reasons. When teacher caught us not being interested with the lesson, an instant recitation featuring yourself will come in a snap. Beyond shaming you in front of the whole class, this actually teaches you to enhance presence of mind, and become more resourceful when you grasp for that correct answer which she threw at you. So, thank you teacher!

17. Little things mean a lot. Sometimes, we are so engaged with the daily routine in the classroom, we suddenly realize something when our teacher tells us a comment about our classroom performances. A simple commendation opens up the idea that “hey, I have done that, really? I must be good with it!” For opening up this big idea through small words, thank you teacher!

18. Strictness that we later on realized why. They say high school is the age of rebellion. When teachers become too strict, its either we tend to complain or simply go against the rules. Kudos to our teachers who patiently explain the need to be strict--- after all, everything is for our own good. So, thank you teacher!

19. Fairness counts. Who doesn’t believe that teachers play favorites? While we are not generalizing, it is common that they like students who excel in their academics and are active in extra-curricular activities. But when it comes to students’ concern, your teachers exercise fairness and are mindful of their judgement. So, thank you teacher!

20. For choosing to be a teacher. I’ve heard many times that being a teacher is not a profession but is a vocation. With the little monetary compensation they are getting (at least here in our country), we would like to heartily thank you for sticking it out being a teacher. It isn’t an easy task but we do know it also isn’t easy to give up just like that. Since you have come to love what you are doing, and for the priceless contribution that you give our society--- to produce good, educated citizens that will build our community and our country in the future. So, thank you teacher!