Finished or Not Finished, Pass Your Paper

As "I shall return" is to MacArthur, our topic for today is to .... our beloved mentors, of course.

It has been said over and over how we will not be where we are now if not for the nurturing patience of our teachers, professors, instructors, mentors, educators. Whatever way we wish to call them, there is one constant - they are here to guide us as we fill our minds with knowledge.

It is on this context that I can't help but wonder why, in my opinion, is this guidance seems to be misguided?

To fellow former students out there, please raise your hand if you have come across a teacher who, for some reason, seem jubilant if you sweat blood taking an exam, let alone an ordinary day-to-day quiz? How about an instructor who, in spite of your excellent performance on all your other subjects, gives you an ALMOST passing grade?

I honestly don't understand why some professors believe they are excellent teachers if their students give them a blank face as they do lectures. That they are too good at what they do that their students simply just can't catch up.

Here is my stand. Excellent teachers are those whose pupils get excellent test results at the end of the day. They are good educators if their audience leaves the room with beaming faces, confident that they learned something. They qualify as exceptional if, instead of their learners awaiting the bell signaling end of class, they stay put even after it chimed because they enjoy the learning experience.

To those remarkable mentors who seem to be facing extinction, stay steadfast. May your love for nurturing minds radiate to those who share the room with you.