Teachers as friends

As an only child, I really did not understand how it was to relate with other children my age or younger at least. My formative years were tough, especially when I came out of a house that spoke straight English --no buts, no ifs. The individuals who were kind enough to understand my situation were my teachers. Until today I still treat them as friends, others have become more like family.

So when the Department of Education issued an order to refrain teachers from engaging with students on social media and to create relationships with them outside the classroom, I felt torn. I couldn't imagine completing my education without fostering casual conversations with my educators. There was this one time where our school held a contest for our teachers' baby photos. The one who would guess them correctly, gets a chance to join a raffle where a date with the teachers is at stake. Everyone wanted to join and opt in. It was great, I won. The time spent was golden in every way.

What makes this timing imperfect, is that the department is still in hot water for its issue on the overpriced and obsolete laptops. Add to that the push in the implementation of full face-to-face classes when some schools are not even ready for the return of all of its students. Most, if not all, are grappling with classroom shortage and the ratio of student to teacher. This timing now seemingly makes it a cover to all the issues this department is facing.

But let's give them the benefit of the doubt. Let's say this is really pressing for them to implement. I'd say, I'm also not a fan of using social media as means to communicate with students. What we own on different platforms are personal and should not be used for work. In fact, there is no control over conversations that happen on online platforms unless they are owned by the department such as an online workspace attached to the government.

Whatever the reason behind this mysterious order, I still stand my ground that teachers make great friends. One can always maintain the discourse within the classroom and change it later on after the dismissal of classes. The question of maintaining professionalism lies within the elders. As teachers, they should know how to act with students even if they are outside the walls of the classroom.

Good relationships with the faculty is also beneficial at times to the school itself. It fosters alumni relations and could bring in opportunities for students. I was once like that too. I visit my alma mater, not because I would like to meet my classmates or go down a trip to memory lane. My visits was for my teachers who have honed me into the person that I am today. If it weren't for them and the good ties that we fostered, I'm not so sure if I'd be writing this here too. DepEd should know better what issues to prioritize.