Functions of Dynamic Teachers

          It is a threatening phenomenon that some of the country's teachers are being pirated to mentor foreign youth. The reason is very obvious. The remuneration of teachers, either in public or private schools, is far below the monthly wages of domestic helpers in foreign countries. Material incentives, too, are scarce and unattractive. The waning commitment of some teachers to serve and guide the youth is a sad picture in our educational system. We cannot condemn, however, those who fly abroad to serve foreign children.

         Thanks God, the number of teachers who go abroad are only fragment of the majority who remain true and loyal to their God given challenge to serve the youth of the motherland. As a write this article, I see images of men and women who stand before their classes and impart knowledge outlined to develop the youth's intellect, behavior, and values.

         Through their sacrifices and devotion to their profession, teachers built the foundation of successful citizens occupying the limelight in the world of politics, economics, medicine, engineering, and other fields of human adventure. The roles and functions of teachers have been enumerated  in our Philippine Constitution.

• They inculcate patriotism and nationalism. Children obey their teacher's word rather than their parents' .Nationalism and patriotism are expressed in the languages spoken, anthem sung, dresses worn, food eaten, tradition celebrated, and customs practiced. Being proud of our heritage is one aspect wherein mentors excel in the promotion of nationalistic ideals.
• They foster love for humanity. Loving people is a divine mandate.Teachers share with parents the responsibility of deeply inculcating in the minds of the youth the value of accepting people and understanding different personalities. To love humanity is to treat one another as friends in the context of trust.
• They foster respect human right. Human rights are inherent to all people. Equality is the rule in the educational system. A mentor who fails to teach this virtue falls short of his personal accountability to his profession.
• They foster appreciation of the role of national heroes in the historical development of the country. Mentors serve as bridges that link the young minds to our corporate past as a free nation. Heroes are ordinary men and women who do extraordinary  commitment and sacrifice for the good of majority. Mentors open the eyes of the youth to see the sublime meaning of national unity and solidarity.
• They teach the right and duties of citizenship. Education makes people assertive of their rights and responsibility to their duties as citizens of the republic. These include paying taxes and participating in the election process.A teacher must never teach students to doubt the integrity  of law and order.

A Rich Lesson

        One day the father of a very wealthy family  took his son on a trip to the country; he wanted to show his son how poor some people can be. They spent  a couple days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family. As they were returning home, the father asked the boy, "How was the trip?"
        "It was great, Dad"
        "Did you see how poor people can be?"
        "Oh, yeah!"
        "So what did you learn from the trip?"
        The boy said, "I saw that we have one dog, and they have four. We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our yard, and they have a creek that has no end. At night we have imported lanterns, and they have the stars.
        "Our patio reaches to the front yard, and they have the whole horizon. We have a small piece of land to live on, and they have fields that go beyond our sight. We have servants who serve us, but they serve others.
        "We buy our foods, but they grows theirs. We have walls around our property to protect us. They have friends to protect them"
        Then the boy added, "Thanks, Dad, for showing me how poor we are!"


Reference:
                 Health and Home, vol.46 no.3 May-June, 2005 p.21

Short Story

Two Brothers and the Carpenters

(from the Internet)

          Once upon a time, two brothers who lived on adjoining farms fell into conflict. It was the first serious rift in 40 years of farming side by side, sharing machinery, and trading labor and goods as needed without hitch. Then the long collaboration fell apart.It began with a small misunderstanding, and grew into a major difference until finally, it exploded words followed by weeks of silence.

          One morning there was a knock on john door. He opened it to find a man with a carpenter's toolbox. "I'm looking for a few days' work" he said."perhaps you would have a few small jobs here and there. Could I help you?"

          "Yes,"  said the old brother."I do have a job for you. Look across the creek at the farm. That's my neighbor. In fact, it's my younger brother! last week there was a meadow between us. He took his bulldozer to the river levee and now there is a creek between us.

          Well, he may have done this to spite me, but I'll do him one better. See that pile of lumber by the barn? I want you to build me a fence, an eight-foot fence-so I won't need to see his place or his face anymore."

           The carpenters said, "I think I understand the situation,Show me  the nails and the post-hole digger and I'll be able to do a job that please you."

             The older brother had to go to town, so he helped the carpenter get the materials ready and then he was off for the day. The carpenter worked hard all that day - measuring, sawing, and nailing. About sunset when the farmer returned, the carpenter had just finished his job.

              The farmer's eye opened wide, his jaw dropped. The carpenter had not built a fence, he had built a bridge - a bridge stretching from one side of the creek to the other! A fine piece of work, hard nails and all- and the neighbor, the farmer's  younger brother, was coming across, his hand outstretched.

               "You are quite a fellow to build this bridge after all I've said and done" the two brothers met in the middle, taking each other's hand. They turned to see the carpenter hoist his toolbox on his shoulder.

                "No, wait! stay a few days. I've a lot of other projects for you," said the older brother.

                 "I love to stay on," the carpenter said, but I have many more bridges to build."

Story: Two Brothers and the Carpenters

Time Wasted

So many times we hurry

and don't take the time to care,

When others feel so lonely,

and just need a simple prayer,

It's easy to say "I LOVE YOU"

and hope you have a nice day.

is there something I can do for you,

I'll be glad to stop and pray"

Love of Heart

The greatest treasure on this earth

That God has willed to be

Is just the gift of love of heart

He gave to you and me

For, in this gift, He sowed the seeds

To harvest goals in Life

That will fulfill us with content

And give us strength, in strife.

It is a treasure, meant to be

A bond of sacred tie

To bless upon us joys of life

Until the day we die

And by his Grace to light the way

To peace of heart and mind

That is the goal of every soul,

Above all other kind.

                                               Michael Dubina

A Smile and Prayer

A Smile and Prayer

Like the brightness of the flowers

At the opening of day,

Let a smile erase the showers

That at times may come our way.

Like the nodding of the flowers

When the twilight shadows fall,

Let prayer touch evening hours,

Bringing perfect peace to all.

                                              Loise Pinkerton Fritz