Why We Have to Further Our Education?

        It is indeed true that education is a continuous process. Everyone should not stop learning.

        As a teacher, I am obliged to further my education, not only because of promotion purposes, but in order to adapt the fast changing teaching trends in the Philippines. I have to nurture what I have acquired from my collegiate studies and applied it later in my educational institution.

        When I enrolled at City University of Pasay, I never thought that I would just sit there, report and listen. I did not know the perks of master’s degree, until I experience the fun of it and at the same time the lessons learned from sitting there, reporting and listening. New and fresh ideas from my professors and classmates fill my brain. I become more adept with current educational systems and issues. Unlimited knowledge penetrates my mind and I could apply it immediately in our school.

        One of the courses that I like is Educational Leadership. It is simply because I am not a born leader. It gives me interest so much. I knew from the start that I would learn from this. And, it doesn’t fail me. I have gained a lot. I could not actually recall every topic and discussion which made me very active, but I could not forget every time of our period.

        Another thing that I love in furthering my education is reporting. Every student is required to report a topic in a semester. I love this thing! I love sharing my ideas and experiences. I also want to know about them. Thus, I enjoy every reporting I do.

         In this subject, I have drawn the topic, “Charismatic Leadership Theory”. At first, I thought it is about Catholicism. But, when I started to research about it, I found out that it is a very nice topic. I thanked God for having it, actually.

        When I began making my powerpoint presentation of my report, it’s so happened that Pope Francis was in the Philippines. He is known as charismatic leader in the world. His smiles and simple gestures are his great assets and sources of charisma. I became his fan. Thus, an idea popped in my mind. He would be included in my report.

        Because of him, I was forced to look for other charismatic leaders. Hence, I have learned that John F. Kennedy, Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi, Winston Churchill, Steve Jobs, Marilyn Monroe, Napoleon Bonaparte, Theodore Roosevelt, Bo Sanchez and Hitler are charismatic leaders and persons, in their own ways. I haven’t just learned the meaning of charisma and charismatic leadership, I also have studied their lives that contribute to the world history.

         As a matter of fact, I become engrossed with Adolf Hitler. His life story fascinated me. If only I could focus on him during my report, but I couldn’t. I merely cited him as an example of charismatic leader.

         When I got home, I started knowing him deeply. I read his biographies written by different writers until I ended up writing a short story, entitled ‘Salimuot’, which I will submit as an entry in a literary writing contest.

          My report benefited me and I know, my classmates, as well because I have made it fun and educative. I also pointed out that we, as teachers need to be charismatic. I told them my best practices why I consider myself charismatic teacher. They are as follow: I talk less, I listen, I open my life, I cry, I laugh, I stop, I garden, I love, I collect, I write, I create and innovate and  I inspire.

          This further education is definitely helpful to me as a teacher, writer and leader. It gives me abundant opportunities to learn, to express, to share, to listen, to communicate, to grow, to write and to lead.