MANILA, Philippines - One never stops learning. Take it from these ten teachers, all of them chosen as this year?s outstanding batch by the Metrobank Foundation. While the teaching profession may be a hardship post in this country, these teachers reveal that the rewards of the job may be intangible but life-changing.

Here are 10 things that these mentors learned from their students which, they declare, have made them more effective and even more committed to the job:

1. Aside from admiring tutors who are smart and competent, students want to see teachers who look good and are well-groomed.?Ms. Jesusa Antiquiera, 2008 Outstanding Teacher (Elementary Level)

2. Dealing with students who come from broken families, I have learned to value my family more and cherish every moment I have with them. I have also learned that not all students can be molded to what I want them to be because of individual differences and other factors. Rather, what I can do is inspire them to be the best that they can be and provide them with opportunities to develop their talents and skills. Teaching in a public school and dealing with pupils who come from marginalized sectors has definitely made me a better person and a better teacher.?Mrs. Lynn Z. Padillo, 2008 Outstanding Teacher (Elementary Level)

3. Teachers are not the only source of wisdom in the classroom. In this modern time and age, teachers act as facilitators of knowledge and pupils are the actors and actresses. From these amazing people I?ve learned that life is beautiful and teachers should not waste it through endless tirades in the classroom. I?ve learned that every pupil is unique and that you really have to listen to each of them and respect their individual differences.?Maydelyn Antioquia, 2008 Outstanding Teacher (Elementary Level)

4. Every learner needs respect and given that, they will always give back the same respect. Each child is unique; thus learning is only achieved when every student is taught according to his or her abilities.?O Marie Therese Bagas, 2008 Outstanding Teacher (Elementary Level)

5. My students have taught me the beauty, power and idealism of youth, and that there is still room for all these in a world of chaos and turmoil. I have embraced these wholeheartedly and used them extensively in my classes. I have learned to be more open-minded, patient and resourceful. I have learned that people have their ups and downs, strengths and weaknesses so I need to respect their opinions, beliefs and aspirations.?Jeanette G. Dials, 2008 Outstanding Teacher (Secondary Level)

6. From my students, I?ve learned the following lessons:

? Get real. It?s always better to tell the truth. It?s okay to tell students that sometimes even teachers don?t know the answer.

? Walk the talk, literally and figuratively. Simply lecturing behind your desk may be easier, but walking will get you a little farther. You get their attention by moving around.

? Think outside the box. Be creative. You can either walk across the street directly or go all the way around the world; it all depends on what route you decide to take. There are 1000 and one ways to teach a subject matter. Make the learning process more interesting.

? Count to 100 before you get angry. Before you know it, it?s time for the next class. Sometimes it?s better to just listen because students don?t want people to lecture them.

? Get personal. Students feel more secure, happier, and willing to learn when they are called by their first names. The notes you write on the margins of their papers make students feel that they are important to you.

? Life goes on. So laugh! A good joke can ease the tension in class; learning to laugh at oneself is also good medicine for the soul.

? Pray and believe. There are more things accomplished through prayer and faith than anyone can fathom. ?Mrs. Rowena R. Hibanada, 2008 Outstanding Teacher (Secondary Level)

7. I have learned from my students that they are human beings, and as a teacher I need to touch not only their minds but also their hearts. Listening with the eyes, ears and heart will help teachers understand the students better. I realized that I have a tremendous power to change their lives. I have to play a crucial role both inside and outside the classroom, and create a good climate through a warm personal approach. At the same time, students should be involved in the development and management of classroom learning, and the enforcement of school rules. ?Mrs. Ermie R. Rabara, 2008 Outstanding Teacher (Secondary Level)

8. My students have taught me:

? Patience and perseverance to understand personality differences;

? That happiness is a state of mind and not a result of external factors;

? Things that are ?in? among the youth such as: Friendster, e-mail, surfing the Net;

? The latest dance craze and hip songs. ?Mrs. Noemi Obcena, 2008 Outstanding Teacher (Secondary Level)

9. Students are creative and multi-talented and teachers should provide avenues for them to express their talents and creativity. Students serve as inspiration and motivation for teachers to try new teaching strategies and innovations. They are also the sources of new jokes, new terms and lingo and make teachers feel young. Lastly, students are like boats tossed in a stormy sea and therefore, should be guided accordingly.?Dr. Virginia G. Cuevas, 2008 Outstanding Teacher (Tertiary Level)

10. From my former fellows in toxicology who are now well established in their own right, I learned the art and value of being a mentor. Mentoring means caring enough to see students through as they strengthen their wings and soar. From my students at the UP College of Medicine, I learned that they appreciate a faculty member who can teach a technical subject matter without the benefit of technology-driven presentations. I also learned from them the value of humility to admit what you do not know especially in the field of toxicology where there are so many poisons, chemicals and drugs so that a false statement can mean losing a life. From my students in workshops held in Mongolia, Cambodia and Vietnam, I learned that the language barrier is no hindrance to the learning process.

On the lighter side of things, I learned from my students at the University of the Philippines how to enjoy and appreciate even more the simple things in life: to laugh heartily, to sing together, to eat with gusto and more importantly to be reminded to live life to the fullest.?Dr. Irma Makalinao, 2008 Outstanding Teacher (Tertiary Level) ?

Today, Oct. 5 is World Teachers? Day. Metrobank Foundation has partnered with the De La Salle University, the Philippine Business for Education, Campaigns Social Response and the Department of Education to celebrate this special occasion. As part of the campaign to create awareness on this event, we are encouraging students to say thank you to their teachers who have made a difference in their lives by writing a letter or sending a card or gift, or logging on to www.teachersday.ph where they can post their thank-you notes and share specific projects to commemorate the event.