First, I think I am a little burnt out with my thesis that I became less motivated to finish it as I was before hehehe. Before, I was very impulsive and hasty to finish my graduate school so that I could apply in a higher education institution. But sometimes, things just don't go as planned. As much as I wanted to finish in respect to my time table, I couldn't because of the external factors that were beyond my control. What were these factors? You know...conflicting schedules, thesis advisers, resource persons, etc...Honestly(and bragging aside),without these constraints, I could finish my thesis in less than a month. Second, I am now happy and fulfilled as an elementary school teacher, and so I have little changes with my priorities. Before I started teaching, all I want for myself is to be an academic, a scholar, an expert of my field. But then as I went along being a teacher, I realized that the best teachers aren't necessarily the most intelligent. I think there is an "X-factor" for one to become a good teacher; one that can inspire and can motivate students to learn. I know some teachers who are eloquent yet failed to win the hearts of the pupils. Some have excellent teaching skills yet students feel coerced. While there are teachers who do not necessarily have exemplary background yet are well-loved and appreciated by the students. I don't know what this "X-factor" is, and honestly, I am still on the process of developing myself to have this X-factor and become a good teacher. Perhaps this might be one of my unconscious reasons why I am less motivated to finish my thesis (hehehe). I feel that God has given me a lot of blessings (which include a considerable amount of intelligence), but I think that as a teacher my priority now is to educate my pupils and not just me. I know that some might say that I could make myself and my pupils educated at the same time, but what does priority mean in the first place? "A thing that is regarded as more important than another." according to Google. And my priority.again, educate my students and make them self-reflecting individuals. Inspire them and motivate them to learn so that in the end they will become persons with character and values. Lastly, in my state of being a teacher at this moment, my achievement for me is no longer about the medals or the awards that I receive just like when I was a student,nor a master's or doctorate degree. I think I had enough of that. My achievement is knowing that my students learn something that they never knew before; seeing the spark and happiness in their eyes when I tell them inspiring stories; to be trusted and be able to hear their stories and most precious secrets; and soon if I get invited in significant moments of their lives like wedding or baptismal. hehehe. I don't know if I sound too sentimental but this is what I think and want to share to my readers, and to present and soon-to-be teachers. Some established teachers may have different beliefs and philosophy. But for me, teaching is never just teaching per se. It is never just discussing the lesson or solving grades. Teaching is more than that. You can never say these unless you become a true teacher yourself.
By the way, here are my harvest for the school year 2012-2013. I am very proud of them.
P.S. (Don't worry..I still will finish my thesis..hehehe).
