What a Teacher Is

It’s fine to be a forgotten existence

Maybe I left something behind for the children

Maybe I gave something to the children

Maybe the children felt something

 

It’s good to be ashamed of the immaturity of teaching

Did I seriously engage with the children?

Did I experience the joy of learning with the children?

Did the children help and support me?

 

It’s good that I have pursued the growth of the children

Did I draw out the potential of the children?

Did I nurture the children's emotions sincerely?

Did I guide the children towards their goals and aspirations?

Did the children strengthen their self-esteem?

 

It’s fine to laugh and cry with the children

Did I respond to the children's bubbling curiosity?

Was I able to satisfy the children's curiosity?

Did I not hesitate to sweat with the children?

Was there trust between me and the children?

 

I don't deny that I was a lazy teacher

I will never forget the challenging days with the children

I do not deny the many regrets I still have

Even when criticized, I used my failures as fuel to keep going

I don't deny breaking through the wall of the school's common sense

The feeling of strangeness and unforgiveness led to the path of reform

I don't deny that I learned how to be a better person

The learning of welfare and volunteering was not wrong

 

I cannot deny how attractive a profession teaching is

I want to pursue what makes people humane

I still falter on the abyss of the education world without reaching that solution

Even as a forgotten existence, I want to live without shame to the children.