He starts the day performing one of his primary roles in society that is to be a role-model for his immediate family and also to his immediate community. Mr. C has to wake up early to make sure that he can do his preparations early so as not to be late. He must not only smell good but he must also appear good. In doing so, he effectively puts in the mind of everyone who witnesses his daily rituals that a person must be dedicated, disciplined and well prepared in any type of work. Such is the responsibility of a true teacher. It doesn’t begin nor end within the confines of a classroom. He knows that his students are not only composed of the elements within the classroom but also those outside the school and even those inside his own domicile. So he must behave in such a way as to bring dignity to his profession. Because he knows that people are watching his every behavior and are not only concerned with what’s inside his mind. He knows that his conduct, his temperament and even his mannerisms are being watched by his students and society itself and thus learning is already happening as soon as he steps outside his bedroom.
He boards the tricycle at the same time each day because he knows that for every minute that he is late becomes a missed opportunity for his students to discover the world. He recognizes that he acts as a window to the world and society to his dear students. And often times they see the world the way he sees it. How he describes it to them lays the framework which these young minds will build on and hopefully improve on. And since the betterment of society is at stake, Mr. C just cannot be late, even for a minute. Not even for a second. Mr. C measures time in terms of information passed. Less time means less enlightenment. Less enlightenment means more darkness. More darkness means more CHAOS. So he needs to be in class, in time, to bring ORDER.
He sprints the hallway as if the life of a loved one was depending on it, unmindful of what is going on around him. Only one thing is going through the mind of Mr. C. “I AM A TEACHER. THEREFORE I MUST TEACH.” He steps inside the classroom and expects the class to greet him with a salutation that can be heard across the hallways and sometimes reaching even the kitchen of the cafeteria. “GOOD MORNING TEACHER!” is what usually kicks off his day. “GOOD MORNING TEACHER!” is what usually starts his adrenalin going. “GOOD MORNING TEACHER!” is what reminds him that his pupils are ready for another enjoyable learning day. And this greeting he would almost automatically reply to with “Are you ready to discover the world?” which in turn will get a response of “YES TEACHER WE ARE!” But instead of a synchronized shout all he heard was the faint lone voice of the security guard telling him that “Sir December 25 po ngayon.” Such is the dedication of a true teacher. Not even holidays can keep him from being one.
Becoming A High School Sensei 