By: Antonio Pérez Esclarín ([email protected])
To save education that is dying today and to turn it into an essential means for human, economic and social development, we need educators with a vocationwho enjoy what they do, who come with enthusiasm, “with their hearts made up of joy”, to the difficult but exciting task of educating. Educators who understand and assume the transcendence of their mission of building people and humanizing humanity. Educators who They passionately love their work and they provoke in students the desire to be and to learn because they are passionate about lifelong learning, they have an insatiable hunger to grow as people and to learn permanently, because each new learning, instead of satisfying their hunger, stimulates it. . Of course, this will only be possible if educators are respected, valued, and paid appropriately, according to the importance and significance of their work. Paying poverty wages to educators means ignoring the importance of their work and choosing the path of underdevelopment, marginality and violence.
In his posthumous novel “The First Man” Albert Camus, French philosopher and writer, Nobel Prize winner in literature, remembers with special affection and gratitude one of his teachers, Mr. Germain: “Then came class. With Mr. Germain it was always interesting for the simple reason that he passionately loved his job… In Mr. Germain’s class. Germain, the school fed in them a hunger even more essential for the child than for the man, which is the hunger to discover. In the other classes they were undoubtedly taught many things, but a little like baiting a goose. They presented them with ready-made food, asking them to swallow it. In Mr. Germain’s classes they felt for the first time that they existed and that they were objects of the highest consideration: they were judged worthy of discovering the world.
It is not easy to be a passionate teacher in Venezuela today, given the difficult situation they have to live in, but there is no doubt that there are those who enthusiastically take on their work, do not give up in the face of difficulties and even continue to subsidize with their effort and sacrificed the education of their students. They do not wear medals on their chests, they are not recognized or awarded, but they are true heroes, who feed the heart of the country with their lives. His classes are an adventurous journey through unknown terrain, and learning is always the discovery of a new treasure that feeds self-esteem and fills with joy.
All of them show great love for their profession and great love for their students. That’s why they want them to live happily, they leave problems at home and make sure classes are fun and enjoyable. They never offend or humiliate anyone, they privilege students with greater difficulties and conceive errors as obstacles to be overcome along the way, as challenges to be faced together. For this reason, they are not punished.
Passionate teachers believe in the possibilities of improvement of each student, They are happy with their successes, even if they are partial, and are always willing to give them another chance. They also care about how and what they teach and want to learn more about both in order to become better and better, in order to be able to more effectively help their students, especially the most disadvantaged and needy. Because they have an insatiable hunger to learn, they provoke the desire to learn in others. For these educators, teaching is a creative and daring profession and passion is not a mere possibility, but a tangible reality.
Ultimately, passionate teachers are those who absolutely love what they do. They teach how to learn and teach to be, live and coexist, Because the true objective of education, and consequently the main task of educators, is to teach how to live authentically, to be owners of one’s own life, to turn it into a gift and service to others.
@antonioperezesclarin
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**Interview with Antonio Pérez Esclarín: The Heart and Soul of Education**
**Interviewer:** Good morning, Antonio. Thank you for joining us today. You’ve written passionately about the state of education and the role of passionate educators. Can you elaborate on what you mean by “educators with a vocation”?
**Antonio Pérez Esclarín:** Good morning, and thank you for having me. When I refer to “educators with a vocation,” I mean teachers who not only possess the knowledge necessary to teach but do so with enthusiasm and a genuine love for their work. They approach education as a calling, seeing it as a profound mission to shape lives and contribute to the human experience. These educators engage students with joy, creating an environment where learning is a rewarding journey rather than a mere obligation.
**Interviewer:** You mention the importance of respect and appropriate compensation for educators. Can you explain why this is crucial?
**Antonio Pérez Esclarín:** Absolutely. When we pay educators inadequate wages, we undermine the significance of their work. Teaching is not just about delivering content; it’s about mentoring, nurturing, and inspiring future generations. Low compensation leads to disillusionment, and if we do not value educators, we risk perpetuating a cycle of underdevelopment and marginalization in society. They deserve recognition and support for their vital role in shaping the future.
**Interviewer:** You reference Albert Camus’ experiences with a teacher who inspired him. Can you share why this kind of educator is essential in today’s context, especially given the challenges in Venezuela?
**Antonio Pérez Esclarín:** In challenging environments like Venezuela, passionate teachers are more crucial than ever. They not only impart knowledge but also ignite a love for learning, encouraging students to explore and discover the world around them. Despite the hardships, these teachers persevere, often at great personal sacrifice, because they believe in their students’ potential. They create spaces that foster curiosity and self-worth. Such environments can make a significant difference in the lives of young people, especially when external conditions are bleak.
**Interviewer:** What do you see as the ultimate goal of education and the role of passionate teachers in achieving this?
**Antonio Pérez Esclarín:** The ultimate goal of education should be to teach students how to live authentically, to understand their own value, and to serve the community. Passionate teachers are critical in facilitating this. They don’t just teach academic content; they instill values, resilience, and a sense of belonging. Their goal is to cultivate well-rounded individuals who know how to engage with the world meaningfully.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Antonio. Your insights on the significance of passionate educators are enlightening. What message would you like to leave our audience with?
**Antonio Pérez Esclarín:** I would like to emphasize the need for society to recognize and uplift educators. We must support them in every possible way—financially, emotionally, and socially. The future of our communities depends on their ability to inspire and transform the lives of students. Let us celebrate these unsung heroes who embody the heart and soul of education.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Antonio. Your passion for education is truly inspiring.
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