Charmed
Life
Gretheline
Genciana Ramos-Bolandrina
Teachers
"An understanding heart is
everything in a teacher, and cannot be esteemed highly enough. One looks
back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to those
who touched our human feeling. The curriculum is so much necessary raw material,
but warmth is the vital element for the growing plant and for the soul of
the child."—Carl Jung (1875 - 1961)
My earliest recollection of realizing my mother's
profession was when I was about five. En route to a store, we were stopped
by a woman who recognized my mother and couldn't say enough of how much of
an inspiration she was to her. The woman was one of my mother's former students
and was at that point a very successful professional. Dressed very impressively
to boot. In my young mind, it clicked, "Aha, Mama is a teacher!"
I am extremely blessed that my mother chose
the teaching profession. I have my "Inno," (grandmother) to thank for that.
My Inno's brood of 8 produced 4 Bachelors of Science in Education, 2 Bachelors
of Science in Engineering, one Bachelor of Science in Commerce and one Bachelor
of Science in Nursing. Quite a feat for a couple who were mutual elementary
school graduates, who made a living in Agriculture. Yes, my maternal grandparents
were farmers, their main crops being corn, peanuts, tobacco and of course,
rice. On the side, my Inno did own a "Sari-sari" store (tiny neighborhood,
convenience variety-micro-mini-retail store). The store that became my mother's
first classroom. At three, she was taught the Alphabet, in English, Spanish
and Japanese. In writing and pronunciation. She read all the labels of the
products being sold. My Inno perused all the old newspapers and magazines
being used for wrapping and packaging. This bore in all of us, a love for
the written work, stories or poetry. As children, we spent summers in the
same setting playing classroom, learning measurements and even currency.
My Mom once mentioned that out of her brood
of 7, she was hoping someone would be interested in following in her footsteps,
being a teacher. She had majored in Home Economics then eventually obtained
her Masters in Special Education. My Ate (eldest sister) got her Bachelors
in Tourism, mine and my sister Con's in Nursing, Dolly in Customs Administration,
Jing in Computer Science, and Chiqui completed Medicine. My only brother,
Jun, took prelaw. No teachers, none that is til April of this year when I
was offered a position as Clinical Instructor at Massachusetts Bay Community
College.
For my first "rotation" of seven weeks at
University Commons, a UMass Worcester affiliate, it's sub-acute/rehab. My
line, so to speak. Six Practical Nursing students were under my tutelage.
It was a mix of adventure, excitement, discovery, rediscovery, setting limits,
resetting limits, a glamorous gala, sharing and caring. The weeks flew by,
next thing I know, it's second rotation. My current group is a mix of the
same with more challenges as my now more advanced future nurses thread into
nursing duties such as medicine administration. I cannot stress often enough
the need for safety, dealing with patients. It is human life that we are
most responsible for. For my next rotation, I have been signed up for the
morning fall session. Same facility, same scope but I'm quite certain never
the same educational opportunities.
 Being a teacher,
I've figured out, didn't require me to know everything. As my students learned
from me, I equally learned from them. We celebrate cultural diversity and
are accepting of our differences. For last day of clinicals, we had an evening
potluck meal of Spanish, Brazilian, Indian and Filipino dishes. Cooperation
at its best, teamwork highlighted. We joked about being sort of UN (United
Nations). I respect my students' dedication as most of them balance full
time work and family with school. They're warriors and survivors. I allow
for individual expression within the parameters set forth in their course
syllabus. I am hoping to motivate their quest for their own expertise. I
had planned to be the teacher who earns respect by being just, not by being
feared. I had hoped against hope that I do not come across as intimidating
since I know first hand how much of a barrier that is to learning. Checking
paperwork at home is a challenging task, what with my 3 year old and 18 month
old running around. I do enjoy sharing my experiences as a nurse with my
students and also doing the contrast between Nursing academically, in an
ideal world versus actual practice in the real world. Opportunities abound
for learning, but one has to be open and receptive to it. There's an opportunity
opening for me to become proficient as a Clinical Instructor and family schedule
permitting, I might just grab it. I am very new at this game of "Teacher/student"
but with the heart of a nurse, I hope to touch my students in the same way
my esteemed teachers have touched me.
I am very new at this game but my mother seems
rather pleased. My three year old Lilly has gotten the hang of things, as
I prepare to leave for work, she'd state, "Mama, you're going to work 'coz
your students are waiting for you?" I smile, knowing that when my Mom hears
this it would sound like music to her ears.
Feel free to e-mail me reactions, comments
and or suggestions for ideas to ponder. Contact me at
Gretheline@aol.com or through Carousel
Productions. |
