" You are not the kind of teacher, who only teaches the things on written pages...but how we should behave as a child to be a good person...."

that was given to me today by my first grader.. who is quiet most of the time, but has his moments as a child. i was touch with his message in the card. today at dominican catholic school, we celebrated the day for teachers. students filled my table with simple tokens of appreciation. i was surprise to see that children do know how to appreciate...from cards, to hugs and kisses, and some with gifts.i was also struck with a sudden thought when i read the message, it was like a sense of fulfillment that even with a short period of time being together i was able to make impact with them. i was able to win their hearts and everyday is a new experience.

i know that we still have 8 months to go, before my "little flowers" bloom to become second graders... my "little pencils" are being sharpen in the way the they are suppose to be.to be honest i always scold them, for they are so noisy, very rowdy and that at times they are not listening to the teacher... there are more talking than learning for the first two weeks of classes. i call those days "our Adjusting period"... it was tough for me and for the kids, (after a year out of college and for the kids from kinder to first grade) it was really hard to meet half way. we had to learn the hard way....to the point where the assistant principal have to talk to them and for the first time a child got into an accident....yes those were the days.....

but after that 2 weeks, we've learned how to give and take....the kids know that no matter what happen I "own" the classroom and i have the rights to send them to the office for time out...... and after their work they know that they will get a reward from me. so for the past weeks now, we all go home happy.... so it was a win-win for all of us.

what i have learned is that children will always be children, no matter how much you scold them, they dont know the meaning of hatred. after being told they will still hug you and love you by the end of a long day....so for me my first graders are my "lil pencils" that are being sharpen not only through textbooks but as a whole individual. i believe in the saying "its not the quantity of knowledge that is important, but the quality of knowledge that stays in their heart and mind." that includes their attitudes and their whole being, for this is their critical times. they are like sponges that absorbs knowledge quickly, so we need to be careful and sure of what we are teaching them.let us not only appreciate teachers today but everyday, of all the profession, i should say that the teachers are the hard working one, because they deal with young minds to make them the person they are to be....

happy teacher's day to all my co-teachers, my teachers, and my friends who are also teachers