a lesson from kahlil

My father has been trying to convince me to give up teaching so I could concentrate in my law school. Believe me, it’s a very tempting offer. I mean I’d be provided with everything I need without a sweat; no checking of papers, no lesson plans, no deadlines, no meetings!!!!

I could just imagine a life without having to wake up at 530 a.m. I would not have to put up with spoiled brats and toxic parents. Man, that’s paradise!

Just this morning, I was dragging myself to school because I felt so tired. But since it was our last class day I had to come to work.

First class - Time: freakin’730a.m.!!!!

Subject: World History

Section: III-Sales (heterogeneous/ general section) known to be a dead class

I got in. did our morning prayer. Had them seated. Then I wrote this on the board:What have you learned in my subject? Write your answer in a one whole sheet of paper.

After 15mins, Kahlil came forward to hand in his paper. This was what he wrote:

”All throughout this year I have learned a lot of things about the history of the world. One year is a short amount of time and we have not fully taken up all parts of the world.

Since the beginning of time humanity has continuously evolved. From simple nomads to ambitious emperors. I have learned about the rise and the fall of many great civilizations. Truly, ambition is the enemy of success. To note, empires have descended from their glory and have become merely a footnote in history.

It would be wise to take a look back in our past and contemplate on our present society. If we keep on making the same mistakes over and over again, then we are nothing more than a mere replica of a dog chasing its tail. We would always be going around in circles without any progress in our social responsibilities and awareness. Over time, our ancestors made a lot of mistakes, but as time progressed the world has slowly made advancements. However, these are merely advancements in science, technology and religion. What needs to be improved is our mentality and sense of maturity. If we look closer, all of us are like crying babies. We keep on complaining but we are not actually doing anything to solve our problems.

Actions speak louder than words and I think that the world needs to change for the better. I can only do so much as a student but as the saying goes ‘a bird must learn to walk before it can fly.’”

I tell you,I had goose bumps while I was reading this paper. It was like a slap on my face. I was about to give up that which matters most over an ambition?! and it takes a 14 year old kid to teach me that. This kid is precisely the reason why I teach. And I’m handling 250 students like Kahlil every year. How’s that for an opportunity to change the world, one essay paperat a time, one step each day….
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