May 11, 2020

Dear ___________,

In my almost 34 years of service in the teaching profession, when learning instructions evolve
and learners vary over time, there is but one thing that is constant – learning never stops – even for a
teacher like me. Year after year, batches of student teachers, oozing with passion and driven by
excellence, go under my care and supervision. And I bet not every one of them knew that, I, too, got to
learn from them.

I hope your months of practical teaching gave you a preview of what lies ahead in your career,
or vocation, I must say. Providing classroom instruction is one thing. Evaluating and assessing students’
performance is another. They say that while this profession is the noblest profession there is, this, too, is
the most daring one. We are at the frontlines. We are the ones who hone the future lawyers, engineers,
accountants, and policemen. We, in our own ways, influence the way they perceive the real world. Our
actions and words are oftentimes taken by them as gospel truths. We forge thinking individuals who
may or may not agree with us, and that is the beauty of learning and teaching. So, it is befitting that we
take responsibility of such influence. We shape generations, one after the other. We dare and challenge
an unforgiving world with our passion and compassion. Brace yourself.

In your journey as a future educator, keep that inner “little child” in you, the child that
celebrates even the littlest of victories, be it your advisory class having a perfect attendance for a given
day or simply, the joy of a peaceful classroom discussion. Such youthful disposition will also bode you
well when dealing with up and coming learners who, I must profess, love building trust and rapport with
teachers. That “little child” will fare with you in these changing times and will ultimately remind you that
it is in loving what you do that you attain a sense of purpose. And our purpose as educators is to teach
minds and touch lives, more than the objective ways of teaching. Our subjective touch to certain things
like morals and work ethics matter at the end of the day.

Always put to mind that teaching and learning are mutually exclusive. We learn from our
students in the same way that we inculcate in them lessons from books and life. Meeting students from
all walks of life, with different principles, and levels of aptitude will certainly exhilarate and scare you at
the same time. Our job is a make-or-break situation. It can spell out the difference between producing
globally competitive individuals or less productive ones. However, I believe that there are different
strokes for different folks. What applies to John may not work for Ben. Therefore, it is best that you find
your rhythm as you work your way through this profession.

This pandemic poses even bigger challenges for us in the teaching profession. But what have we
not surmounted before? Our adaptability and zeal in the changing times of yesterday will speak for all of
us. More than ever, we are challenged to develop strategic methods, feasible teaching styles, and
effective modes of teaching. I hope you are already well-equipped because I am one of the people who
believe in you and the greatness that is in you.
 Finally, the uncharted waters await you. Explore them and do wonders. Congratulations and be
well.