I would rather to be a teacher than a salesman,
although a salesman makes a lot of money than I do,
I would not change places with him.
For he sells washing machines, fountain pens, and
and other materials, but I sells ideas.
I would rather be a teacher than a stenographer,
even though a stenographer may have a mahogany desk in
the magnificent office of a great chief of industry.
For she helps write letters, but I help write careers.
She touches keys, but I touch lives.
I would rather be a teacher than an architect,
satisfactory as the program of a large construction might be.
For an archhitect helps build edifices, but I build character.
Edifices endure for a time, but character endures through eternity.
I would rather be a teacher than an artist,
fascinating as that profession might be in its wealth of beauty,
color, and symmetry. For an artist paints pictures on canvas,
but I paint pictures on the memories of little children.
An artist makes
impressions on
tablets of clay, but I make impressions on tablets
of the souls.
I would rather be a teacher than a great business executive.
For he works with facts and figures and lifeless coins, but I work with
minds that open, and future that unfold, and principles that grow.
I would rather be a teacher than an accomplished musician, for a
musician plays on violin strings, and piano strings, but I play on the heart strings.
I would rather be a teacher than an orator. For an orator stirs
adult to applause and admiration, but I stir little children to right
choosing and nobler thinking.
I would rather be a teacher than a decorator. For he deals with
perspective and harmony and lines in buildings and rooms. But
I deal with perspective and harmony and lines in temples not made
by human hands.
I would rather be a teacher than an interpreter. For he interprets
words, but I interpret motives and purposes and endeavors.
I would rather be a teacher than a potter, for he shapes vessels of clay,
but I shape life.
I would rather be a teacher than an explorer. For he explores
unchartered seas,
but I explore unchartered minds, and discover treasure islands
and continents of untold possibilities.
And now, after readingn this article, waht can you say? too idealistic?
If education should serve as a foundation for all those and aspirations,
shouldn''t one expect teachers to fully measure up?
More summaries about the THE FILIPINO EDUCATOR, 1973