What Teaching Has Taught Me

Back in 2004, I submitted an article to the Philippine Daily Inquirer's Youngblood column. I had always dreamed of getting published in a national broadsheet and so I spent time thinking about what I would write about. I finally decided I would write about what was closest to my heart --- and that was "teaching" and what it has taught me about myself. It is wonderful the way that God has used my work to teach me more about myself and my walk with Him. He still does to this day.

Below is an excerpt from the article. (Taken from http://archive.inquirer.net/view.php?db=0&story_id=21547)


Story of grace

First posted 01:31:20 (Mla time) December 18, 2004
Grace M. Flores

Inquirer News Service

FOR 28 years, I have celebrated my birthday on the same special day when we commemorate the birth of the Christ Child. Though it is a thrill to celebrate it on a day when people all over the world are in a joyous mood, I have often wondered what it is like to have it on another day.

As if it were not enough to share this momentous day with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, I have learned that I share my birthday with other notable people. There is Danish supermodel Helen Christensen, whose flawless and slender figure I can only dream of having. There is Humphrey Bogart, the legendary American actor whose acting was marvelous.

Evangeline Cory Booth was born on Christmas Day in 1865. She was the youngest child of William Booth, the founder of the Salvation Army, and she followed her father into the ministry and later became its fourth general and world leader.

On Christmas Day in 1821, Clara Barton was born in Massachusetts, USA. This fearless woman was hailed as the personification of mercy when she courageously served the wounded during the American Civil War. This "Angel of the Battlefield" almost single-handedly established the American Red Cross.

And who doesn't know Sir Isaac Newton? This famous scientist was born on Christmas Day in 1642.

Then there is me. I have not achieved celebrity status. I have not established any worthwhile organization. I cannot claim to have made any great scientific discovery nor am I known for great acts of charity. And most definitely I can lay no claim to washing away the sins of the world. Though God has richly blessed my life with a loving and supportive family and guided me to a profession I love, my life has seen so many ups and downs, with the downs predominating. Whatever I have accomplished thus far are the results of having great parents, lots of of hard work and His help.

God has often revealed Himself to me as the Divine Special Education Teacher of my life. He has an IEP for me, but it is no ordinary Individualized Educational Plan. It is the Immanuel's Eternal Plan, broken down into short- and long-term goals with a terminal goal only He can see. Just like in Special Ed, the short-term goals appear too elementary and pointless at times, but God keeps reminding me that everything I am going through leads to a goal I may not see. In His wisdom, He has written this plan and every day He is carrying it out. There is nothing I have to do but trust Him completely and submit to His divine intervention.

And being the special child that I am, I am badly in need of His intervention. Like a disabled child, I struggle to learn my lessons. I am slow in comprehending what God is teaching me. And though I go through the same lessons over and over again, I can't seem to remember what I'm supposed to learn. God has equipped me with skills to use when facing problems, but I often forget how to use them and end up dealing with them in my own inexperienced way.

Spiritually I am afflicted with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. I don't pay attention to what God is saying but instead focus on the trivial and mundane. I live a hyperactive life and use it as a diversion to keep myself from doing things that really matter. I act impulsively without first considering what God wants me to do.

Like a deaf child, I do not hear what God tells me, especially if it is something I do not want to do. Instead I choose to listen to the voices I want to follow.

I am sometimes blind to the helping hand He offers. And I am blind to the people around me who need help, especially the people who need God.

My spiritual life is also much delayed in its progress and development.

And yet despite all these handicaps, my Divine Special Ed Teacher has lovingly and graciously guided me. Countless times, He has picked me up and assured me that there was nothing wrong with falling as long as I got up and moved on. Repeatedly, He has held my hand and walked with me though oftentimes I have stubbornly insisted on acting independently. Like the great Special Ed Teacher that He is, He has allowed me to fail, knowing that I would eventually learn from my mistakes.

My omniscient Teacher has never given up and has never been discouraged by how I am turning out. My dismal performance and slow rate of progress have not driven Him away from me. When everyone else has given up on me, my Divine Sped Teacher has held me in His arms and assured me He has a plan and He would never leave my side until I reach the terminal goal He has set for my life.

I take so much comfort from knowing that even though my IEP might take years to complete, I am blessed a thousandfold to be under the tutelage of such a great Teacher. One who cheers my every little success. One who does not care what other people think about me. One who believes that someday I can and I will reach my maximum potential.

Although I have not achieved the same prominence as others with whom I share my birthday, I am not the least bit worried. My Divine Special Ed Teacher has given me far more than what I deserve. To live in His grace is far more important than winning an Oscar or a Nobel prize. It is truly wonderful to be His student, His intern and His special child. I ask for nothing more than that His name be glorified in this continuing story of grace.

Grace M. Flores, 28, works as a special education teacher in three private institutions in Quezon City.


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Guro Ako (I Am A Teacher)

Aside from being a wife and mother, I am also a professional teacher. I have been a teacher for 12 years. It hardly seems that long ago when I graduated from the university. But, yes, it's been twelve years --- and it's been a great experience so far.

As a 12 year old, I already knew that what I wanted to do was to work with children. Having done it as a career for more than a decade now has truly been a wonderful learning experience. Perhaps that is what is so wonderful about teaching --- you never cease being a student yourself. The learning just keeps on going.

12 years. 7 schools. Homeroom teacher. English teacher. Social Studies teacher. Special education teacher. Preschool teacher. Elementary school teacher. Highschool teacher. College sub. Post-graduate course instructor. Advocate for LD and ADHD.

Yes, I am a teacher. :-)