Good morning to our School Head, sir Asher Pasco, fellow teachers, and students.
I would like to share a passage from the Bible in Matthew 20:26 which says: “But among you it
is quite different. Anyone wanting to be a leader among you must be your servant.” (The Living
Bible)
“Hindi ganyan ang dapat mangyari sa inyo. Kundi ang sinuman sa inyo na naghahangad na
maging dakila ay dapat maging lingkod ninyo.” (Ang Bagong Tipan FSV)
Pondering over this Bible text and the theme of World Teachers’ Day 2020: “Teachers:
Leading in crisis, reimagining the future,” the concept of Servant Leadership comes into
mind.
Servant-Leadership is about maximizing the potential of individuals, both those who are served
and those who lead. It emphasizes a leader who has the desire to serve others so that they can
then develop themselves, and eventually develop others. When a teacher helps a learner
develop, these students can then think for themselves, take care of themselves, and then help
take care of others.
Bilang mga guro, sa mga panahong ito, makabubuting suriin natin ang ating mga sarili: Ang atin
bang mga mag-aaral ay talagang sumusulong sa pagkamaygulang? Are we really helping them
develop to maturity in all aspects as responsible human beings (emotional, social, ethical, and
mental aspects)? Especially now as teachers, we have a part in providing mental and
psychosocial support services to our learners. To continue: Do they, become wiser, freer, more
autonomous, and more likely themselves to become servants? Ang atin bang mga mag-aaral ay
dumudunong, nagiging malaya, at nakakayang tumayo sa ganang sarili upang maglingkod din
sa iba? Do they, become wiser, freer, more autonomous, and more likely themselves to become
servants?”
The concept of Servant Leadership is not new. True leadership is to be like Jesus Christ; “just
as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for
many” – according to Matthew 20:28. In our context, as teachers let’s focus on our students’
advancement and not our own.
The pandemic brought new challenges to our education system together with the world’s
academic community.
Now more than ever, the issue of teacher leadership is timely and critical in terms of the roles of
teachers to provide remote learning, mental and psychosocial support services, and ensure that
learning gaps have been mitigated, among others.
May God bless our efforts as Servant Leaders in these challenging times.
Maraming salamat po.