Have you ever dreamed of becoming one of those heroic and extraordinary teachers you have watched in the movies? Think Michelle Pfeiffer as Louanne Johnson in Dangerous Minds, who inspired teens from a poor area in her city to love reading by connecting her lessons to Bob Dylan. Or Hillary Swank as Erin Gruwell in Freedom Writers, who opened the eyes of her students to stay away from violence and practice tolerance by exposing them to literature about the Jewish holocaust. And then there’s Jaime Escalante in Stand and Deliver, who taught poor Hispanic students to learn not just High School Math, but also Calculus so as to secure a good future for his students. These are just some of the heartwarming stories that have inspired many people to pursue a career in education despite the meager pay and the low regard society has for the profession.
While a lot of teachers have become living legends in the prominent private schools scattered throughout our country, quite a few have achieved what Ms. Gruwell or Mr. Escalante has done in the United States, that is to succesfully teach impoverished students to dream and believe that they have a fighting chance to succeed in our society.
The primary reason why we lack young volunteers to educate our poor students is because of the absence of any credible educational institution or program that encourages fresh graduates to teach and serve in a poor community. In the movies, it was as easy as choosing the nearest public school. This is not an option, however, in our country as there are many horror stories about the bureaucracy in Philippine public education that will supposedly lead only to disillusionment and career suicide.
In the United States, however, there is an organization that has been widely successful in encouraging America’s youth to volunteer as teachers for public schools in the poorest communities. Since 1990, Teach for America has sent volunteers, mostly fresh graduates and young professionals, to America’s struggling schools, especially those that suffer from a high turnover rate of teachers. What sets the organization apart is its commitment to results and excellence. Teachers are not just sent to schools and left to fend for themselves. They are given a five-week orientation about teaching, and continuous consultation and training about how to inculcate the desire for learning in their students. The organization resonates with the belief that learning gaps due to inequality can be overcome and that intelligence can be taught through hard work and discipline. Volunteering for Teach for America is also a commitment, as it requires its volunteers to be in the program for two years. Having had enough experience and training, some volunteers are encouraged to continue on with their teaching career. Some pursue their college degrees but most have not forgotten their experience and continue to help the program, and America’s system of education to succeed.
In a span of 20 years, the organization has documented studies showing how their teacher-volunteers have become at par with their fellow educators who underwent the usual training. Some even surpass seasoned teachers, as reflected by the students’ performance. The most important things, however, are the intangibles, such as the motivation they impart in their students and the commitment they inculcate in themselves to do something concrete for their country.
Teach for America’s applicability to the Philippine setting may be a good study. Graduates from public schools and state universities may be invited to lead the program and trail blaze the path of volunteerism in public education. What is important for the youth to see is that they are part of a credible and vibrant organization that could serve as their source of training and support once they battle the problems of Philippine education. What is important to achieve is for teaching to become a viable option for the country’s best and brightest minds and, in the process, alleviate the state of Philippine education.
One noted columnist stated that President Noynoy Aquino’s victory in last year’s elections was people power in disguise. The Aquino government should take advantage of the prevailing spirit of volunteerism nowadays and set up structures and programs in specific sectors of society, such as education, that would utilize active citizen participation. Doing such would prove that people power is not just about toppling corrupt regimes but moreover, it’s about establishing a vibrant democratic government of empowered Filipinos.