Hi Mama, one of your co-teacher actually e-mailed me and asked me
if I can prepare something for you for their tribute to retirees.
I know this is long overdue since I was not able to prepare
something for your 60th. Anyway, I tried to read it myself but
it's just too long and the file will be too big for me to send it
thru e-mail. So I asked if it's possible that one of your
co-teachers to just read my message on my behalf.
When I was taking up my Masters at the Ateneo, one of my
professors, Fr. James O' Donnel, S.J. said that teaching is not a
profession. It is a vocation. And in this vocation, many are
called, but only few are chosen.
I have only been teaching for ten years and yet sometimes, I have
seen myself at a point were I wanted to quit, not because I lack
the love for teaching, but because of the challenges that goes
with this vocation.
Being a teacher for more than thirty years is
one great big achievement and you should be very proud of
yourself. You have been teaching longer than I can remember and
althroughout those years of teaching, I can say that you have
proven in your own way, that you are one of the chosen few. You
really did not pursue to earn a Master's degree or a PhD and put
your career at the back seat in favor of us, your family. Through
your ways, you have shown us that we are your top priority and for
that we are forever grateful. Even if your colleagues were already
advancing in their careers, you did not show any sign of
insecurity because you know that we your children are your
trophies. We, your children, probably would not have excelled and
became successful if you made your career your number 1 priority.
But not pursuing these degrees does not make you a poor teacher. I
believe that being an excellent teacher does not only imply having
several degrees under your belt, having numerous teaching awards,
handling the top sections or even being the head of the
department. Ang sabi nga nila, ang sukatan ng isang magaling na
guro ay hindi ang mga plake o tropeo, kung hindi, kung naging
matagumpay ba ang mga estudyante mo sa buhay nila. Success here is
not defined as having a 5 to 6 digit salary per month, but the
kind of individuals or persons your students became after you
becoming their teacher.
Mama you didn't only teach your students World History or
Economics. I am sure, that just like with us, she you have taught
all your students more valuable lessons in life, than knowing the
life Napoleon Bonaparte or the World War 2 or the Law of Supply
and Demand. You taught your students to have faith. When things
are starting to get tough, cling on to Him, and He will surely
take care of you. You taught your students to have hope. That
even the sad and trying days will have an end. You taught your
students, through your examples, that you can reach out to others
and help even in a very small way. You might have even broken some
rules just as so you can help your students. And I believe this is
what makes you different from the rest. You are a person with a
big heart. You are not only a teacher to your students, but you
were also a mother to most of them. I know, that one way or
another, you have inspired them and you have touched their hearts.
You have made them better individuals.
To my Mama, I would like to thank you for choosing to respond to
this vocation. You have been an inspiration. I know that your
former students, wherever they maybe, will always remember you in
their hearts with glee!
I know that your former and present co-teachers can atest too as
to how big your heart is! I bet that your presence will surely be
missed in the department.
Now that you are retired, we continue to pray for good health and
long life for you. I know that even if you have stopped working as
a teacher, you will always be a teacher at heart and you will
continue to touch the hearts and lives of other people, in any way
you can. We look forward to seeing you soon here in Sydney.
I love you Mama!
Love,
Your Jeana Pot
