LIFE LESSONS 101

Alxen A. Navarette-Cuñado

     There are a handful of things that captured my fascination since I came back to the classroom, as a learner this time. Time has come and has gone... Content and Process orchestrated... Minute details flickered... left and right brain knocked off... whole brain explored. I literally missed being in the classroom.

       As far as I can remember, the experience has awakened memories of the past. Twenty two years ago, I and my wonderful classmates immersed into the world of concepts, theories, ideas or pedagogy and history and blended it with the real life situation during our pastoral year of practicum. It was great and has left a mark on my being, an imprint on my soul; best years of my life, I reckon.

       Listening and pondering on the gems of thoughts and wisdom from my mentors and (tor)mentors ):, from my classmates, and my friends. As I kept on recounting their famous lines in my notes, in my system, conversations with my classmates echoed the best points in the lectures and learning activities we did. I don't know where my teachers got their powerful presence. They simply had such an enigmatic effect that terrified me each time I run out of words to express my insights. Learning went beyond the pursuit for correct answers and for better grades.

       Indeed, education is a matter of investment. Inputs came from different factors: the learning environment, my teachers, the curriculum, my classmates, my interests, my experiences and aspirations. Points of inquiry became essential in the daily doze of my lessons. These should go through an INTEGRATION to come up with the desired outcome: a meaningful learning making me a better person ready to serve the young people. 

           I thought that learning takes place in the classroom alone. I was wrong; it is the entire world we live in and it will take a lifetime to learn its lesson to mastery level.