“Wherever I go, I am a teacher.”

I was in Kindergarten when I first dreamed of becoming a teacher. I loved the way my preschool teacher teaches, and she was one of the people who inspired me to be a teacher . She was fountain of knowledge and model of good will. No matter what my parents would tell me that being a teacher is a tiresome job, and that nobody ever got rich because of it, this dream never faded. I was not moved by their persuasive speeches during family meetings after dinner. I really wanted to become a teacher – I want to mold lives of young children, and I want to touch the future. And so that’s it. I took up education, and I’m very happy about it.

            This year is my fourth year of exposure to the teaching profession. We are now allowed to wear the on-the-job training uniform, which, I thought, makes us look more like a teacher. Wearning the OJT uniform is quite uncomfortable for me, because I am innately childish. As a matter of fact, I still play hide-and-seek with elementary children, and run with them in our galas. My grandmother looks exasperated every time she sees me playing with the kids, and she would always tell me before I go to school, “You must not act as if you’re still in elementary, because you are now one step of becoming a teacher.” I just and ignored her words because I know that I am still young, and I still have the freedom to play with kids. However, I was mistaken.

            While I was waiting for the jeep that would take me to school, high school students from the nearby public school said “Good morning, Sir!” to me. Also, when they unload themselves from the jeep, they said “Good bye, Sir!” I just smiled at them because I was shocked and I don’t know what to do. It’s really my first time to be greeted politely and called “sir” inside the jeep. They even don’t know me, but I think because of my uniform they thought that I am a teacher already.

            On that same day, when I arrived at Davao City National High School, I have decided to buy a bottled water at their canteen. As I was about to say my order, the lady who looks after the canteen greeted me “Good morning, Sir! Unsa ma’y ato?” I politely greeted her in return, and finally said my orders. Do I really look old with my uniform? Or is this is one of the perks of being a teacher?

            I felt very much respected on that day. First the students from the nearby public school in our town and now the lady from the canteen. I realized that my grandmother is right. I must act decently now, and it’s time for me to stop playing with children. I am now 19 years old, and a pre-service teacher. Therefore, I must maintain the invisible line that separates the teacher from his/her students. I must look simple yet dignified at all times for wherever I go, I am a teacher.