How I Become a Teacher

    My journey of becoming a teacher is not as typical as anybody. It was not a dream come true, not a plan fulfilled, nor a decision-made-because-there-is-nothing-else-better resolution. I had no one who inspired me to become one. I'd even got no one who discouraged me not to pursue this profession. My story of becoming a teacher is something unusual. 

    My journey to becoming one had started one lazy afternoon when my parents asked me to take another College Entrance Test. I decided to choose just one for some valid reasons. I didn't choose ACET because I would turn it down sooner due to high tuition, same with USTET and DCAT. We were not financially stable then. My parents were struggling to finance our studies, and kept on juggling jobs here and there just to make both ends meet. I didn't choose PUPCET because I was too lazy to endure the distressing process of applying for it. I had chosen PNUAT because, according to what my cousin told me, it would only take some minutes to apply and process the test permit. It was true.

    I'd taken PNUAT months later. The results of PNUAT were released earlier than the UPCAT. Since my parents wanted to secure my slot, we have processed the requirements to be accepted in PNU, with BSEd as my major. However, just weeks later, UPCAT results were out. Before I knew it, my colleagues told me I'd passed. All the plans of continuing my study in PNU were scrapped. I was advised to choose a program that would accept my UPG because I only have passed the cutoff for UP Diliman, but not with my previously chosen programs. My mom went with me to a computer shop to apply for a program online (we had no computer nor internet connection that time). I had needed to choose three programs among the available choices. I remembered I had chosen BS IE, and BS Econ. I was stuck with the third one. She said, "Di ba gusto mong mag-educ? Ayan piliin mo na yung B SE." 

    Let God lead me the way was my life dictum. All I was praying was to align me to whatever He calls me for. I dreamed of becoming an accountant because my relatives told me to. However, on a personal level, I had planned nothing nor had set a goal when I was a child. All I was just dreaming was to make my parents proud of whatever achievements I would accomplish; to feel I am loved with whatever I had to offer, no matter how simple it may seem. I just let God be my guide. I just let Him be the wind that takes me to my destination. 

    When the results came out, I was accepted in B Secondary Education program. During my stay in UP College of Education, I still was questioning myself whether I was in the right course. I planned to shift to other colleges, but then again, my lazy self prompted me not to. I graduated after so may INCs, 5.0s, LOA status, and Residence. 

    I had no plans in applying in a school right after graduation, but the principal of a small school called me and told me they needed a Math teacher. I was hesitant to take the position, though it was just a part time job. Sooner, I accepted it. I took the LET a year after graduation. I was surprised to get a high score despite not reviewing for it. Maybe it was another confirmation, I thought. I also had resigned from my job and applied in another school. Well that is what a teacher has supposed to do, right?

    Four years after graduation, three years after I became a licensed professional teacher, I braved myself to apply in a public school. Once again, I let Him lead me. I was accepted and been teaching in the same school for five years now. I may not be the most decorated nor the most dedicated teacher, I am certain that I am in the right profession I was called for. Although I still am thinking whether the decision I made 15 years ago was right, I know for sure that there are more beautiful things in life than meets the eye.

    All I am just hoping is my students would learn that in life, whatever path they will take, let God lead their way. Also, if there is one certain thing I could share, that is no matter where you go, you cannot just run from your destiny.

    That is how I become a teacher. I just do not know yet the adjectives to put in before the word "teacher".