To Teach and To Learn

As I draw nearer to the end of my academic journey in college, I gradually feel uncertainty and pressure in the course I chose. Like most of my classmates, this course isn't my first choice, nor the second or third. I never imagined that I would end up choosing Elementary Education, however it seems that this course had chosen me. I already have experience teaching children, however, that was something out of whim, and I don't intend to make a living out of it. I can't say I fully enjoy teaching young people because there's really that pressure I feel whenever I'm doing it.

I'm a natural overthinker, so most of the time I overthink if I can teach my future students well. But I'm aware I can't back out—especially now that I'm near to the real field of teaching. Of 'course teaching has been my surest option since then and I know it's the most stable career I could take so that I can somehow improve our way of living. It's definitely not a career that would make me rich, but I guess it's the thought of contributing to the future of the next generation that makes it a satisfying career for me.

But teaching doesn't only entails you to teach what you've learned, but as well learn along the way. I have no problem with learning because I'm quite fond of it, however, the problem comes with how I will share those learnings. I'm not exactly confident in how I teach because I'm kind of a lecturer type of instructor. I'm more of a sharer than a receiver, so when I've done my first teaching demonstration I've really struggled on how to make my discussion more student-centered. Before, I was the kind of student who liked lectures more than activities, because activities meant interacting with my classmates and I was definitely not the socializing type back then.

That's why I became used to lectures and discussions, but when I entered higher education, socializing became a must. It's been a shocker for me, but anyway, I need to adapt to move further. Even though it's not my forte, it has become a thing that I constantly try to improve. And along with that, I intend to hone my teaching skills because I know I'm still lacking in them. I know there's no perfect teacher because, at the end of the day, there'll be always room for improvement. As one of my professional education instructors had said to us, we must always empty our cups whenever we went inside our classroom because he believes that we also need to constantly learn not only from the current curriculum and textbook but also from our interactions with our students.

It's of 'course nice to have a lot of knowledge to share, but sometimes it's that knowledge that becomes the walls that obstruct us to further our learning. Teaching and learning are something that has always been together, and even after I finish my college journey that won't be the reason to stop studying and learning stuff. I want to become effective so I wanted to learn how to be a good one. And hopefully, my future experiences will teach me so. I don't know if the tutorial offer that came this morning will be pushed through this night and if it won't be, then I guess that opportunity is not really for me... but hopefully, there will be mine next time.