Written by: Fran Andrew Espedilla | The Josephinian
It was a sunny morning on the fourth of October. Students gathered at the Saint Joseph garden as they lined up for the checking of attendance minutes after the Holy Mass ended. Backpacks on, umbrellas out, and an indistinct chatter filled the quadrangle as the students prepared for a celebration of the month-long event ending on that day — Teachers’ Day Celebration.
Minutes after the clock ticked 9:30 in the morning, the program immediately began. Clad in their Josephinian polo shirts, the teachers and non-teaching staff gathered at the center, while the students surrounded the quadrangle, finding the perfect view and angle. The program hosts hyped up the crowd as the programme went by. There were songs and dance presentations showcasing the Josephinians’ various talents, and the college department governors offered their heartfelt messages of gratitude to their respective department faculty.
An hour passed, the crowd started to get busy — bouquets of flowers on their hands, boxes of cake, handful of cards, and gift bags, ready to be given to the teachers. On the count of three, different colors of confetti were dropped from the fourth floor down to the garden, filling the quadrangle with not just colors but also smiles, and the banner was raised “Happy Teachers’ Day.” Crowd cheering, smiles beaming, confetti falling, and colors glistening as the tribute song started playing. Students were singing along to Yeng Constantino’s “Salamat”, as a way of expressing their gratitude to the teachers on their day.
Not all heroes wear capes, sometimes, they bring a box of chalk, a class record, and donning their uniform, getting ready to face the classroom for eight hours, bringing light to the students’ lives. It is not the cape that they wear, but the confidence and determination to instill in young minds the things they need to learn about life. It is not superpowers that they bring with them, but a handful of inspiration that touches not only the minds but also the hearts of the dear students.
They are our heroes, and they are more than just a teacher. They can sometimes be a friend, a confidant, a parent, and most of all, an inspiration.
Happy World Teachers’ Day, Josephinian teachers and all teachers across the globe!
