Teacher's teacher

Early this morning of May 13, 2013, Teacher'teacher used her right to vote. It was a nice sight to behold that the proceedings were relatively peaceful. Very prominent is the way the voters went about their right to choose their leaders. In fact as Teacher'steacher took time to look around, she could not help but wish for the best of this blooming country, beloved Philippines. Imagine if you were a candidate and the majority would put you up there as their representative. It would realay be a great privilege and an honor to serve.  

Teacher'steacher hopes the politicians knew exactly why they ran. There should be no place for vote buying  because the citizens deserve only the best. So goes the day and we pray there are no more of the violence which had been announced. Imagine  52,014,648 registered voters who went about the  344,522 precincts. PCOS machines may work or not and definitely there would many discussions as to why we had to use these machines if there was budget for better ones. However, Filipinos have learned to make do with things.

If there is a breed of people who is famous for its patience and understanding, these are my co-Filipinos.

So Teachers, be proud of the voters this 2013 election time, we have educated voters. This coming school year, 2013-2014, we can proudly say we have more of them who will take care of this country who is fast becoming more aware that the country is the citizen's responsibility. 

Life has ways of giving each person a place in the sun. For teachers who are also mothers, they are given a rare opportunity to rear and form the children given to them by God following the right path of life.

To all the Teachers and at the same time Mothers all over the world, Happy Mother's Day on this special day, May 12, 2013, one day before 2013 election time in the Philippines.

More than ever before, teachers tell the world their unique vocation to mold the children and offer them chances to develop themselves according to their capabilities.

May this day last a lifetime to remind the teachers they have become co-creators with the Makers by virtue of their patience and humility to be there for the child no matter what.

Teachers and Mothers, HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Call it external influence but Teacher'steacher has been fortunate enough to meet a lot of young bloggers and what a heart warming experience it was. Are there more teachers out there who are also interested to remain teachers but are also bloggers like Teacher'steacher? 

Today, May 11, Saturday, was another external opportunity where this teacher was just awed at how the young bloggers congregated in Rey's Grill and without much fun fare, brought out their tools and went through Blogging 101. Do contact Mindanaoan.com if you are interested so your group can have the same experience this group just had, all FREE.

So fellow teachers, leave a comment and see you in future informal gathering like the one we just had with Mindanaoan.

There are many things to do now that it is summer. Sad to say however, teachers do not have many opportunities to see a movie or two. This is understandable because by now most of them are preparing for the opening of classes School Year 2013-2014. 

Take it from a fellow mentor while the aforementioned is understandable, come what may, you deserve a movie or two. So the question goes, have you seen a movie lately teacher?

The ones this teacher saw were Identity Theft and Iron Man 3 which really made her laugh, cry and laugh again and again. Indeed, movies do take you away from the everyday monotony of living the ordinary way.

So let us loosen ourselves fellow mentors and go see a movie! You deserve it!!

It is already April 26, 2013 so four days more and it is goodbye April. This means May is before us and when 13 comes it is election time. Teachers, parents, sectoral leaders, concerned citizens, have we inculcated in our voters the power they have come election time?  It is this empowerment that should be the key in deciding according to a well-informed choice. Gone are the days when voters are given their rightful place by buying their votes.

Other countries are also holding their elections so the Philippines is not alone in telling the world that democracy is very much alive in our place. Election is a very vital sign that democracy is here to stay.

Since our homes are where we are as our real selves, teaching one's capacity to choose according to one's conscience should begin there. Thus there is no more time to lose then. Let us focus our attention on our loved ones who are now adults. Let them vote accordingly.

See you then in election centers. Let democracy take its course.

Bukidnon Council of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines hopes to revive the hope that deep down in the hearts of all lady teachers, they are really Girl Scouts in thought, word and deed.Why not? After all the Girl Scouting Movement hopes to mold the young girls to become well-rounded talents and useful citizens of society.

This week, Teacher'steacher has been appointed as Officer-in-Charge of the office in the absence of the Council President who is presently with the girl campers in Quezon for the National Encampment.  Many will transpire in the succeeding days and if every event happens, this blogger-girl scout will update you, beloved readers. In the meantime, please help out in encouraging the parents to register their girls to join the Girl Scouting Movement. This is one decision they will not regret.

We can expect more girls to become girl scouts if all lady teachers are deep in their hearts, Girl Scouts in thought, word and deed. Welcome to the fold!

It is not very difficult to understand why we have to celebrate birthdays but what do birthdays teach us may not come by easily.

We must celebrate birthdays because as the word implies you are still alive on a day that heralds your existence. What does this special occasion teach us? It teaches us that days are not always the same. There are days and there are days. Birthdays are no ordinary days for of all the days, your birthday stands out as the day that is special for the heavens chose it for you to come to this world and join mankind.

Birthdays are days of rejoicing and celebrating. No wonder the term is no longer birthday celebrant but birthday celebrator.  The celebrant is a celebrator of the day when life is greater than death. What does this celebration teach us? It teaches us us how to be a celebrator of humility and gratitude that life is worth all the pain no matter how low it can get. We have to ask questions but there are moments when questions need not be asked just accepted.

So birthday celebrators, we join you in your love feasts. To Emilita, to Lucita, to Irene and to all the April birthday celebrators, let your birthdays teach you joy and joy and joy on your most significant time.

Our world today is very demanding and its technological advances cannot promise to offer the gadgets how to make it through marital blues and blows.

In fact, years of marital bliss teach every married couple the reason why they manage to embrace life through thick and thin. While the number of years being married does not become a guarantee, it can hold on to the promise that another day will be another teaching moment to improve for the better. 

Let us then pat the shoulders of our colleagues who pursue the paths of righteousness and hold on to the commitment of remaining faithful no matter the odds. Why not? Every marriage is not just an affair between the husband the wife. My twenty-year marriage taught me, for example, that the bitter pill of tensions and outbursts become necessary ingredients of true love. Hold on even if left to our devices, it is unbearable. That's why there is a third party in this relationship - the Supreme Being who blesses the relationship which became a commitment blessed in God's name. 

It is therefore without hesitation this teacher blogger attests that years of marital bliss teach us why every married couple embraces life through and thin.

Some think that to travel is to go abroad. We should know by now this is not the case. Already, life is a lifelong travel, a journey. Along the way as one poem states we reach a junction and decide whether to choose a road less traveled or follow the usual easy route. 

What are some of the learning insights travels bestow on us? Many and some are: One, the mere fact of going out of our comfort zone and doing so realize that there is much more to where I am situated. Two, the temptations and decisions to be made along the way. Three, development of a grateful heart that there are more good people than bad ones. Four, the capacity to learn the ways of other people and in so doing, work with their differences and feel relieved for knowing our similarities. Five, a confirmation that life has so much more to offer and therefore there is always more to learn.

Do share your own learning insights  and together learn from each other. Anyone?

It is unfortunate but it is a reality, anywhere in the world, respect for the older ones particularly their aunts, is fast fading. Even in the Philippines which is famous for its Filipino Values, respect for the elderly as one of the most basic values, is on its down trend. This prods us to ask how do you teach your children how to respect their aunts and ask forgiveness if there is need?

Teacher'steacher considers this a fundamental problem and needs fundamental response. For one, teaching should not be seen as something that is just told to the children there and then. Teaching starts at home and is followed up in schools and in the bigger community. It goes back to the values practiced by parents and their children as they live as a family. The need to follow this up when the children go astray is constant for once the children make friends or go to school the children's need for guidance and clarification might be in order.

Sometimes when the younger people talk as though they do not have respect for the elderly, the reaction of the elders borders on desperation. Some just leave this on Karma and let life make the disrespectful ones learn the hard way. Since the elderly wants the younger ones to ask forgiveness and it is not forthcoming, the elderly can again only look up to the heavens for vindication.

No wonder we always say we are not yet in heaven and however good this earth may be, it will always fall short of what awaits us in Heaven with God. There, there is no need for respect and to ask forgiveness for there is no need. May we all see each other there fellow teachers.