Educators Are Changing Lives

             By Vic Odarve 

 Although parents shape their children's lives more significantly than teachers do, teachers nevertheless have an impact on children's lives while they are in school. Their future employment are frequently prepared for by the knowledge they gain from the lectures in the classroom. Students are subjected to disciplinary acts and their related procedures in order to shape them into better citizens. The moral and spiritual significance learned in the classroom has an impact on how they develop as a person as a whole. Teachers mold students' futures, therefore they have an impact on and influence their lives, whether it be for a short or lengthy amount of time.

Madonna University, Africa

The world inside the classroom is their second home. The teacher acts as a parent. It is in school that they learn the importance of advanced education to achieving their desired field of interest or discipline. Students acquire the necessary skills they need in the hope of landing a better and more decent job in the future. Recently, while inside the shopping mall, I ran into my former student, whom I did not recognize. "Sir, you don’t remember me?" he asked. "No, I don’t. What’s your name? " I asked. He gave me his name and explained that he was my former student in mathematics. After a few minutes of conversation before we parted, he said seriously, with a gratifying gesture, "I learned a lot of things in mathematics under your lectures, and most of them are used in our petrochemical plant operation. I want to say, "Thank you, Sir." Then he walked away and bid bye.

In the classroom, discipline is always in the making. It is like a nucleus, the center of an atomic structure. It is always a component in a teacher’s teaching strategy to promote peace and orderly management. Well-disciplined students mirror the personality of the teacher as well as the academic institution. Cheating, ranging from old-fashioned writing on the hands to high-tech spy cameras, is not tolerated. Penalties are well defined in the student’s handbook. Imposing good discipline will mold students to become better citizens.

African University

Students are taught how to share their knowledge and assist others in classroom discussions in order to prepare them to be responsible individuals. The topics assigned, classroom group activities such as laboratories and the like, build trust and camaraderie among the peers as well as develop their personalities. At one of the international conventions, one of the presenters was my previous student. He presented a paper titled "How to Learn Math Quickly." I could not believe it! After a short conversation, he confided that it was in my class that he was challenged and learned much about how to learn and love mathematics. In return, he wanted to share his experience of overcoming the fear of taking engineering mathematics at this university. That was it. He wanted to share and touch more lives among our students taking engineering courses; expound on his experiences, ups and downs; and show them how he conquered and shifted to a new paradigm. In my little way, I have touched their lives.

To my surprise, this petrochemical engineer and presenter at an international convention were not even on my list of the top classroom performers.

Today, while in the classroom, we cannot see the impact of our teaching on shaping their future. On several occasions, I was moved and touched. I was dumbfounded and could not say anything. Students expressing their success and gratitude is evidence that teachers are part of their future. It was a feeling of joy and fulfillment! I did not expect that I would touch their lives. Jesus once said,

" What you have done to the least of your brothers, you have done to me." Matthew 25:40.

Touching lives brings us to greater heights with the One who is sitting on the great and splendid throne, with a river of life, clear as crystal, gushing from the throne, and his kingdom will reign forever. Rev 20:11, 22; 1, 22:6.

Indeed, teachers touch and transform the lives of their students, and they have done it to the glory of our God the Father!

MCM-Mapua University