RETURN ON INVESTMENT

(The Nerdy Geek)

 

|By Kevin Barrera

 

“Masaya ang matuto. Masayang mag-aral. At kahit sabihin mo sa ‘kin na ayaw mo na, na nahihirapan ka, na hindi mo na kaya, may kinang pa rin sa iyong mga mata nung pinag-aralan natin ang ganda ng solar system. Nung tinanong mo sa ‘kin kung paano nagkakaroon ng bagyo. Nung nalaman mo kung paano kumakain ang halaman. At hindi ako naniniwala na hindi mo na kaya. Na ayaw mo na. Dahil sa kinang sa iyong mga mata, nakita ko na natutuwa kang matuto.”

--Sabrina Ongkiko, TEDx ADMU --->

 

I remember the day when I was still wondering what course was I going to pursue when I step up in college. I recall putting Engineering or Communication Arts in my must-enroll list because I was really craving to be an engineer or a magazine writer in the future. Unfortunately, I hadn’t taken the college admission test in my choice of school because I was already late. Yes, it was frustrating that I could not take it anymore because I wanted to take it in that school. That’s why, I found my way here in LCBA.

 

Peeking through the list of courses being offered here, I found nothing that was interesting to myself. Accountancy? No, I had enough of Math. Business Administration? Double no, I am not good in handling a business. Computer engineering? Pwede, something near to my dream course but still, no. I still wanted civil engineering. And thus, I decided on the Education course choosing to teach high school students, especially in Social Studies. That time, I kept asking myself “Are you kidding yourself? You, a teacher? Shut up!” Something like that because I could not see myself as a teacher; I couldn’t even tutor my younger sibs.

 

I am aware that teachers have a meager salary from an all-day overload of works with lots of students in a not-so-good school. All I need to survive in this situation is my love, patience, commitment and compassion to teach these students who are depending on me for their future. I, as a teacher am the one who will help my students to build their foundation of attaining success, of being a professional. A very challenging task indeed! I hope I would not wreck my students’ building blocks for their own future. Now, I am in my final year of training as a full-pledged teacher and I could say that my views regarding teaching have changed with the passing of time. I could say that I have started to love and commit myself to this very noble job. Far from being my dreamt engineer or magazine publication worker.

 

My parents are struggling to work hard so I can be educated in a private school and take an Education course which could not possibly sustain my family when I begin to work. But money is not the most important thing that will return to me after I invest so much money, time, and effort to earn this degree. There is one thing that will return to me that no one could ever buy and that one thing will be the product of my lifelong commitment to my students.

 

Supporting Sabrina’s statement in her touching story that we can be anything—a doctor, engineer, lawyer, astronaut or even a hero. Because as teachers, we will help you attain your dreams as long as you also help yourself. You have your dreams and we want you to make that dreams come true. Just work hard for it! You will not wake up one morning and you’re already a doctor. No, start the first step into becoming a doctor. Work hard now and we will support you.

 

Seeing our students beginning their path towards their future is already a return on investment. Seeing them interested in what the teachers discussed, studying hard for their exams, gaining a nice mark in their report cards, walking down the graduation hall aisle with parents, receiving their diplomas, and ten years from now, they would be products of what we inculcated to you. That’s our return on investment. It is nothing compared to money because it is a treasure we teachers help to build with our students.

 

I am aware that I will not become rich as a teacher because the salary is incomparable to those like bank accountants, company CEOs, five-star chefs, etc. But somehow, I can be rich with overwhelming love from my students who firmly believe in my knowledge as a teacher that I can guide them and help them towards the path of someone they wanted to be.

 

Who wants to become a millionaire or even a billionaire? Moreover, who wants a gazillion of love from thousands of students you have taught after decades of teaching?

 

I am a TEACHER, yes! And seeing you a successful person is my ROI. Are you able to take the challenge of being an architect for others’ future? I do.