Remembering My Stint as a Teacher

My wife found this story in a book today...

A student in a biology class was given the assignment to learn about birds. He was instructed to learn the classification, the scientific name, the common name, and characteristics of all the birds. The professor said, "Learn everything about them."

At the day of the exam, the student was horrified when he looked at the test. The birds were pictured from their knees down. He knew the birds well but he couldn't identify any of them from their knees down. He tossed his paper onto the pile of exams on the instructor's table and explained his frustration.

The unsympathetic professor said, "Well, you'll just have to take a zero. I told you to learn everything about them. What's your name, son?"

The boy reached down and pulled up his pants to his knees and said, "You tell me!"

I taught senior high school students for six years from 2008 to 2014. I had my fair share of ups and down, excitements and worries, successes and failures. I "might" have given some ridiculous quizzes and assignments, but thank God I did not have a student like that in the story!

I love most of the aspects of teaching, sans the checking of papers and quizzes. I like interacting with students and helping them answer questions from and about the Bible. The most precious times, I say, are not the times when I'm doing the lectures. I cherish the most are the times when the students ask questions, discuss issues and ideas, and help the students understand the teachings of the Scriptures deeper.

I just hope and pray that the students did not take for granted their opportunity to learn Bible lessons before going into the world. As what I've been hearing year after year, students have difficulty adjusting and struggling when they go to college. Some eventually succeeded and overcame the hurdles of college life. But some did not, gave in, and compromised just to gratify the urges to fit in and be accepted.

I'm glad that some of them continue to consult and ask me questions from time to time. But my concern goes to those who go out there without proper guidance, going their own way without a shepherd. May the Lord keep watch over them and lead them to the right path.


----------------
It's been more than three months since I last taught. Thank God I'll be teaching once again, albeit not in formal classroom setting and just on Fridays for the whole month of August.