I taught neither to earn nor to get credits. I didn’t I do it for glory and definitely not because I had no choice. I taught because I genuinely wanted to help students achieve their dreams.

When I started teaching last year, I vowed that I would try my hardest to help my students avoid having failing marks. I know that if they fail, it is a reflection of how I was as a professor. Like I said, I became one because I wanted to help students achieve their dreams, not to be an instrument to shatter them. I swear, I will never find joy in failing students.

And so I was very much committed in helping them understand the subject matter. I would go to lengths in considering different methods of teaching just to make sure they grasp the lesson. I gave as much opportunities for them to make up and provided them with a supportive tap each time. I did this because then I would be at peace knowing that I was being a good professor and so when they still fail, it is of their own doing.

After two semesters, I am proud to see how my students evolved to be more diligent, confident and brave. I am hoping that I helped prepared them not only for the next semesters in college but also in life. And I would be very thrilled to see how they end up to be.

Indeed, the happiness and excitement that I felt in my 1st year as a professor was incomparable. I have never felt so fulfilled. I was the happiest when I am inside the four corners of the classroom. I knew, without a doubt, that I found my favorite playground.

But today, I have finally made a decision – I am not teaching next semester, and probably even after that. And like any kid, I am certain that I will feel a sense of longingness this coming year. Sadly, just when I finally found time to feed my heart’s earnest desires, circumstances made me cut the tube – albeit temporarily.

I say, with all sincerity, that taking a leave from teaching was no easy decision to make. Despite the growing pressure at work and the incessant increase of responsibilities, I wasn’t ready to give it up. Even when my Saturdays started to get filled with work, I was willing to make time. I was even keen on being strategic with wedding duties just so I can continue teaching.

But I figured, am no superwoman. Somehow, I realized that I have to choose my priorities. This is not to say that teaching is not a priority, it is. But I am only getting married once and we have a big fight to prepare for next year. So yes, teaching can take a back seat because I have the rest of my life to do it anyway.

For the mean time, I will miss preparing every Friday night for my class the next day. It was my principle to never go to class unprepared. Heck I even prepared better and was more diligent as a professor than I did as a student. I wanted to always give my best, because my students deserve nothing less. I believe this, as I expected the same from my professors back when I was still in school.

I will surely miss challenging my students to rise above adversities and strive to be better. I will miss exchanging occasional chats with them during breaks. I will miss calling them out when they become negligent or disrespectful.

I will miss being a professor, a mentor. Really, this past year was such a sweet ride I cannot wait to go through it all over again by 2016.