A new teacher is faced with daunting tasks. One, is the personalities of his/her students. Varied and all, he/she needs to put him/her-self on the shoes of students in order to understand them well, and quickly get a feel of their hang-ups, etc. in life. In fact, it takes a good teacher to give his/her listening ears-- heart as well-- to his/her students.

But not all teachers are that good when it comes to listening to students' woes. Only chosen few are gifted to really understand a student's problem, situations, and the like.

How many students are now facing confusions about their values, principles and the like if they were not being helped by mature adults who are always there on beck and call? Yes, young ones are in need of adult guide to tread the long and winding journey to education, maturity and all.

Lucky are those who have been blessed with mature guide that they could lean on every time they are in trouble. With the complexities of today's living, others are just existing. Nobody is around to guide them, inspire them, make them feel humans and all.

Teachers--only chosen few, yet few and far between-- are hard to find; who really care and all, for their students' advancement in life and career. Yes, students need guidance--and it should come from a caring, well-meaning gestures by the teachers.

One best example of a caring teacher is Erin Gruwel, the best teacher of Wilson High, Long Beach California, who has done the extra mile of helping her students overcome their insecurities in life, face their demons and conquer prejudice and all in order to become changed persons. You can see this in the movie Freedom Writers starring Hilary Swank, or you can read the book, The Freedom Writer's Diary and get a glimpse on how a dedicated teacher can effect change on his/her students' lives.

The City of San Jose del Monte teachers were given a chance to view this great movie last May 6, 2009 upon the sponsorship of ex-Gov. Josefina dela Cruz of Bulacan, Gov. Jonjon Mendoza and Pastor Jonel, the prime movers of PTCA, which educates parents and teachers alike, to become responsible people for youth's future.

Also, the City Division Superintendent, Dr. Amancio S. Villamejor was there to inspire teachers as preparation for the coming school opening. What with a new frame of mind and all, a teacher now knows better when it comes to facing the herculean tasks of guiding, inspiring students towards self-actualization.

The author is a mentor of teachers in elementary grades in the Philippines. Aside from being a grade school teacher, he is also contributing articles to magazines just to make good use of his spare time. He has joined writing contest in the past, but until now, he is dreaming of bagging an award! This is why, he is now trying his luck in this endeavor--blogging-- to find his niche and somewhere, somehow find a way of publishing a book.