On July 6, the "Teacher's Day" has been commemorated in Peru. This date agrees with the foundation in 1822 of the first Normal School for Boys (currently the "Enrique Guzmán y Valle" National University of Education) by the "Protector of Peru", José de San Martín. During the government of Manuel A. Odría (1948 - 1956) this festival was made official by means of a supreme decree of 1953.
Coinciding with this anniversary, I wish to formulate several considerations and evoke my personal testimony. The teacher plays a significant role in the integral formation of the student. He establishes a daily relationship and -at certain times- determining in the life of his disciples, collaborates in the definition of his personal vocation and guides his future. The teacher who transcends has a level of preponderance that is only recognized over time and imperceptibly. But, there is present the "seal" of his ancestry in the evolution of the student.
At the school stage, my educators had an explicit effect on my adherence to national problems and, finally, on the definition of my political ideas. I must not be just another Peruvian who lives with his back to his social environment. They cultivated in me solidarity and identification with the reality of the country and made it easier for me to appreciate the existing inequalities and injustices. From the classroom I was able to get to know Peru -perceived distant and distant- thanks to the sensitivity and preparation that differentiated them.
I really enjoyed the Literature teacher, the brilliant Cusco poet William Hurtado de Mendoza Santander. One of the first books that I was assigned to read was "The Deep Rivers", by a notable indigenous writer, José María Arguedas. Through this publication I maintained my initial encounter with the wonderful and complex Andean world that is reflected in all his documented intellectual work. Then other volumes and authors would come, such as Vallejo, Mariátegui, Haya de la Torre, González Prada and Alegría, which made my vision of Peru spread. I acquired my best notions of Peruvian literature in his entertaining classes, which he awaited with concern and which were also characterized by the intense debates, discussions and talks he encouraged.
I will always be grateful to my parents for having put in the transit of my existence those who strengthened the principles coming from my family environment and contributed in finding my true professional inclination. The chair makes it possible to provide up-to-date insights and, at the same time, helps to raise concerns, affirm ideals, summon enthusiasms, improve individual perception, discover abilities, forge a critical conscience and, especially, preach with the archetype of behavior that must also exalt the good citizen.
In this sense, I share what is expressed in my article "On Teacher's Day: Decalogue of the 'good' teacher", when I say: "… The development of pedagogy essentially demands moral standards that are observed by the student as a reference that inspires faith, enthusiasm and credibility for your future. Our task is not to transmit knowledge, figures and data: our mission is to constitute ourselves as a personal example and to demonstrate to them, with the consequence of our conduct, that life is much more than an academic degree and a cumulative number of hours of practice. That is the reason that should inspire us to dedicate ourselves to this noble mission. Will it ever be understood that way? ”
"… The training of students must also include the exercise of thought, a critical attitude and reflective questioning. All this will facilitate the formation of a society of free professionals capable of defending their rights and raising their brave voice of protest against injustice and abuse. That is a central objective of teaching in a submissive, invertebrate and unsupportive society like ours. It is not only necessary to give them information, but essential elements to open their eyes to the deception, arbitrariness and vicissitudes of tomorrow ”.
In the text "Ethics and politics: The art of living and living" by Mónica Jacobs, Eliana Mory and Odette Vélez, I find coincidences. Luis Bustamante Belaunde in his prologue says: “… Teaching is instructing, showing or transmitting knowledge, indicating and guiding paths. Educating is developing and perfecting the faculties and strength of the people or 'bringing out their powers of growth from the inside out'. Teaching is usually a group or collective act. Education is always individual. Those who teach are teachers. Those who educate are teachers ”.
Teaching is a space to “cast” seeds of hopes, dreams and other values that we need to promote in a generation that is largely resigned, indifferent and reluctant to the culture that, in my opinion, has blocked the development of their intellectual and introspection abilities. This form of subsistence favors those who lead the destinies of society, who consider lucid beings "dangerous", dissatisfied and willing to confront the environment and not allow themselves to be manipulated.
Let us remember an extract from the magnanimous poem of the great Spanish Antonio Machado y Ruiz: “… Walker, your footprints are the path and nothing else; Walker, there is no path, the path is made by walking. Walking makes way and looking back you see the path that will never be trodden again. ” Despite adversities, misunderstandings and mediocrities -inherent to the civic, ethical and cultural backwardness of our environment- we continue to lead the way in the future of students. They are an endless source of inspiration.
(*) Teacher, consultant in event organization, protocol, professional image and social etiquette.
