I know this is long overdue but
if I am to start my open letter series, it would only be right to begin with
one addressed to my first batch of students.
To my little monsters:
I feel like I haven’t given you
the sem-ender speech you deserved. Here’s my attempt at making it up to you.
Chem 15.1 24L
I’ve had the Monday blues for as
long as I can remember. It is my least favorite day of the week… until I got
assigned to section 24L. Truth be told, I wasn’t jumping up and down when I
found out that I have a Monday class but you really turned things around for
me. Teaching you has been a great source of joy and fulfilment. I love how some of
you would be on the edge of your seats and some would even huddle up in front
during our discussions. Your sparkling eyes and breaths of amazement are enough
to fuel me throughout the rest of the week. Perhaps this is the reason why I’ve
told my other class that you are my favorite section.
Chem 15.1 6L
I know I didn’t grow close to you
as much as I did with my other classes but I believe that it is that relationship
that allows me to be a better teacher to you. I’m sorry if I’ve been
particularly hard on you. I just wanted you to care more about the class. But
for the record, I really don’t allow my students to give up. I keep returning
drills not to torture you but to give you another shot at getting it right. Btw,
your “I love the way you lie” letters are eye-openers. I’m glad something stuck
even if those were just my taglines and catch phrases.
Chem 16.1 1L
I thoroughly enjoyed teaching you
though I must admit it was a wee bit challenging at first. But you really did
redeem yourselves when a lot of you started showing up for consultation. Your
consistent effort to get better grades is such a tremendous fulfilment for me.
It kinda makes me think that I did something right. ;) I want you to know that
every lunch I missed to accommodate you is more than worth it. I’m not one to
brag because I’ve been told not to carry my own chair but I feel like you
should know. You are my first and only class to have a 100% passing rate. (And
for that, I have forgiven you for not being able to top exams. :P)
Chem 16.1 27L
You have no idea how many times
you have gotten me in trouble. You are noisy and unruly and just out of control.
You keep prying on my personal life and you even crack knock-knock jokes at very
inappropriate times. I keep trying to explain to myself why I've grown closest
to you. Maybe it’s because you have consistently done well in exams. Or because
I secretly buy your jokes. Or because you always buy my jokes. Or because you
don’t mind if I burn you. Or because you let me carry my own sofa bed. Or
because I love that we have our inside jokes and an entire language only we can
understand. Or because we operate on the same wavelength (sometimes). Or
because I see a lot of myself in you. To this day I’m still not certain but I
wish to find out as I continue to be involved in your lives.
xxoo
I can’t say I didn’t have my shortcomings
and misgivings but I really did try the best I could to push you to do better,
to be better. Every quiz, believe it or not, was designed to get you ready for
exams. I can’t think of any one student whom I’ve failed to give his/her best
chance at passing the course. Your best chance. This is what I promised and I
believe this is what I gave. Still I have things to apologize for.
I’m sorry for all those times I’ve
purposely masked my mind-boggling quizzes with creativity. It's deceiving, I know. Most
importantly, I’m sorry for the times my face read disappointment. I want
you to know that I mean well. Contrary to popular belief, I don’t care about my
passing rate. I care about you. And what really disappoints me is that you
sometimes don’t care enough.
Also, I’m sorry if my heels are
so noisy especially when I’m going around during exams. I’m sorry if I leave a
lot of things at your discretion. I’m sorry if my constant washing of hands
during discussions is disturbing you. Lastly, I’m sorry for referring to you as
my little monsters. It’s a term of endearment really… but I understand that is
subject to misinterpretation.
Before I end this, allow me to
thank you for speaking highly of me. I've heard nice things said about me and I
could only guess where they came from. But more than that, I thank you for a
memorable first semester!
Remember, you have everything you
need for your next Chemistry courses. If that doesn’t seem to be the case, you
can always count on me to be there for whatever you need.
I look forward to owing you a
pen.
All the best,
GJSMercado
Next in the series:
Percent Yield: An Open Letter to
my Students
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