MAKE YOURSELF LOVABLE

Marcial Bonnie Salac

In the discussions of the Dos and Donts #13 caught my attention. It
states:
To teach by precepts and example in terms of excellence
and personal integrity.

In my years of teaching it is really difficult to set an example to my

students. My master then told me what is knowledge if you do not have
values? Whenever I feel proud of myself it always struck me and contemplate
did I make an impact to my students (although sometimes I call them
STUPIDENTS). But who am I? Who are we (teachers)? What should we do?

Many times we would ask ourselves, "How can I make my class

understand my lessons? Will they able to pass this exam? or Are they going
to be participative in class? The effectiveness of our teaching strategy boils
down to our own way of relating to our students.

In one of my classes I asked my students to write an essay about their

ideal teacher. The students gave countless characteristics like good looking,

funny, artistic, and many more. Some of these characteristics are unrealistic.
They might be asking for ideal teachers but what we can offer are REAL and
HUMAN teachers. Nevertheless, it made more realize that students, in general,
are looking for a teacher who can understand and love them. At that point I was
able to understand that students are craving for love and attention.

Majority of us cannot deny that sometimes we complain our students'

behavior and we get affected by the situation. Why? Because the mere fact that
we cannot understand the real situation of the students, that only tells us that we
don't know our students well. Ignorance of our students' situation won't give us
a clear judgment. Yes, it is very human to become angry but that would not
solve the problem, it will just make the situation worst.

The great father and teacher of the young, Don Bosco said, "education is
a matter of the heart." This beautiful philosophy would require a lot of effort to
acquire. Nevertheless the following points would help us achieve teaching
through our heart.

Touch the heart of the child before injecting any lesson. In this way
students will be studying out of love and not because of obligation. As a

result it wouldn't be difficult for us to teach, whether it is about the lesson

or about life.
The biggest question now is 'HOW?' very simple yet difficult. Lovingkindness is the answer. It is the only key that would open the hearts of the
students. It promotes genuine mutual love between teacher and student. It
is not just mere love but genuine love that is shown to each student
equally. A few insignificant number of students can blatantly oppose the
teacher who gives authentic love toward the students.
"Teacher saloob, kaibigan sa labas."This is a step toward connecting to
our students. A teacher, inside the classroom, that facilitates in
intellectual pursuit and a friend that can be laughed with. However, we
should always remember that there are limitations and should clearly
define the boundaries because it might result in over familiarity.
Love for everyone. A problem that might arise would be particular
friendship. This has been a problem ever since schools were invented.
We will not be able to achieve loving-kindness if it is only applicable to a
person or to a group of people. Prudence is a key factor in showing your
love to everyone.
Convincing students that we have confidence in their ability to improve.
If we always encourage our students to do what is appropriate and right

the students will be able to grow in their own field. If we always give
positive reinforcement to the actions of the students they will be able to
know that someone is appreciating their work. A simple tap at their backs
would be enough for them to know that they did a great job.
No need for motivation your presence would be enough. Students tend to
seek motivation. It is very human that we would look for stimulus to get
in to the action. However, even though we give motivational activities to
our students, it seems not enough. To solve this problem, make yourself
as the major motivation of the students to learn, not because you are good
looking but the values that you impart to the students.
Love entails suffering. Being an educator would require a lot of love and
innumerable sufferings. We know that these exhortations are next to
impossible but then loving is not impossible. A teacher of mine in college
gave this quotation:

something to suffer something to offer;

nothing to suffer, nothing to offer;
many things to suffer, many things to offer.