A Blessing Called St. John Vianney

Three years ago, I got a call  from St. John Vianney's Primary School and was asked if I was available to do casual work the next day. I was and so, this chapter of my journey begins.

One day led to a few more days, a few more days led to a few short blocks, and a few short blocks led to a temporary full-time position, the last one being an instrument of blessings and a big blessing in itself. 

How do I even begin? 

SJV has allowed me to re-ignite the passion I have for teaching and share it with people who also do not see it as a job but a vocation. A chance to make a difference in the lives of our students. An opportunity to teach them not only about letters or numbers, but about life itself. To mold them to be men and women of faith and of character. After all, at the end of the day, it is all about our students and not us, teachers. And I would like to believe that everyone in the teaching profession share the same principle.

SJV has allowed me to meet and work with amazing people who did not think twice of sharing their talents, skills, and expertise. Ready to lend a helping hand and answer my never ending questions so I can get things done. I will never forget the first day I did my casual work when one angel, disguised as a colleague have given me reminders before we went to church and celebrated mass with the students that morning. That was just the beginning! From opening their doors so I can attend their Staff Development Days to meet my requirements with BOSTES, to helping me photocopy materials, to laminating visual aids, to even sharing their passwords so I can access shared files, to watching over the class when I needed to go toilet, to swap duties so I cannot miss out on my kids' after-school activities, to letting me use their computers so I can print to the coloured printer, to giving tips when I had my first Parent-Teacher Interviews, and to those who offered help when I needed to write the reports. To those who believed in me and saw the real me. To my colleagues who stopped what they were doing to listen to my stories. And yes, even to those who even shared valuable parenting and holiday tips! It's endless! Everyday was an opportunity to meet angels in disguise.

On a personal note, SJV has given me and my husband the opportunity to go out of our comfort zones so we can both make things work at home, at work, with our studies and with our service -- which I thought was impossible at the beginning. It was an instrument for the two of us to grow together and work together and for that I am forever grateful. 

SJV has given me the opportunity to meet 30 beautiful angels who have taught me more than what I have taught them. The times they taught me the value of patience when I was almost at my wits end. The times they taught me to celebrate life, to be tough, to learn lessons from the wrong choices we've made...the list goes on. 

This year has been truly special. More than the opportunity to teach them to become better readers, writers, artists, mathematicians or athletes, I am happy to know that I was able to touch the lives of my students in the best way I can. The times when they needed someone to listen to them and share their joys, achievements, fears and disappointments -- when they had an argument with Mum, when Dad didn't show up as promised during an assembly, of how the family is faring as Dad tries to battle an illness, of how they went up their swimming class level, of how they fared during their karate class assessment, and of how they showcased their dancing and singing talents within the community. The times when they needed someone to believe in them when everyone else has given up on them. The opportunity to push them because you know they can do it. The times when you needed to be more of a parent, than a teacher. The opportunity to remind myself why I said yes to this calling 15 years ago. All of these, would not have been possible without SJV.

Today, another chapter of my journey ends and I will be bringing along with me all the happy memories I have shared with colleagues, all the lessons I've learned as I tried to become better at this vocation, the new friendships (and hopefully, lasting friendships) I have made. I will forever be grateful and thankful for this blessing, a blessing which is called St. John Vianney.

"1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

 2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

 3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

 4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

 5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

 6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

 7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

 8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace."

Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8

Lastly,  a time to let go and a time to move on.

Back to School

As the saying goes, you're never too old to learn new tricks!

Australia as they say is the land of opportunities (kung hindi ka maarte, okay?) and I am taking advantage of what is available for me, hoping that it in the future it will be of use to me and my family.

Even back in Manila, I have always dreamed of putting up my own pre-school. That was the reason why I actually took Educational Administration for my Master's degree. But destiny intervened and we migrated here and that plan was put aside.

I was blessed to have been able to still practice the same profession as I had in Manila and it was also an opportunity for me to study the ropes of the trade. In our almost five years of stay here I have learned that they are stricter when it comes to your training and the work you're after. Unlike in Manila, where you can teach even if your course is not related to teaching, here you can't. Much more when you deal with smaller kids.

Sa atin, kahit ang layo ng kurso mo, kung gusto mo mag-teacher, go! Kung gusto mo magtayo ng pre-school (syempre dapat may pera ka) kahit kulang ang qualifications mo o wala kang ni isang kurso sa early childhood, go pa rin! Dito hindi. BAWAL.

They take your training seriously. Ako nga, Educ graduate na, hindi pa rin pwede magturo sa elementary unless mag-aaral ulit ako ng Teaching in Primary School (nakakturo ako kasi tinignan nila yung seven years teaching experience ko sa grade school).

Back to my blog. To make the long story short, I have reignited that dream of mine to hopefully put up my own pre-school (and childcare) in the future. You always have a guaranteed clientele for childcare here as nanny or yayas are not really part of the culture. In Sam's childcare alone, there are already 5 unborn kids who are on the wait list! Yes, unborn kids! With the standard of living getting higher every year many parents have no other choice but to work and that is when childcare centres goes into the picture. There is really a need in chidcare especially in our area where there is a boom in real estate!

Thankfully, both my undergrad and Masters' degree were validated and were accredited as to being comparable to Australian degrees. Now I only need to work on my early childhood qualifications. This is the reason why I decided to pursue a Diploma on Early Childhood Education and Care.

It took me a couple of years to muster enough strength to actually do it. It took a lot of emails and researches, comparisons, and inquiries to different schools and providers. I am not just sure if my timing is right as now my plate is already full because as I start with this, we are also very busy with the home project.

I chose to do the course through online study. It will be my first to do online studies and after 3 weeks, I can say that I still have to establish a routine or a style that will be most effective for me. I have three years to finish the course. I am hoping that I could finish that before the deadline.

Thankfully, I didn't have to shell out a single centavo as I am qualified with the government aid, being an Australian citizen. I can study now and pay later, as soon as my annual salary reaches their cap. At this point, I am still not worried because if I continue to work as a casual, I am safe of having to start the repayments to the government. So even if we have started with the mortgage payments, I can safely say that it will still not add to our expenses.

Finishing it in three years' time does not mean I will already leave the teaching force in the big schools. Putting up a childcare here is costly, no make that very costly! I plan to make baby steps. But as for now, I'll just take it one subject at a time.

You might ask, why study again when I can already teach here? Well, as I've said, when I'm much older, I wouldn't want to still be inside the classroom. I want to see myself and my career evolve. I hope to have moved on from teaching to doing the admin work, more of the person behind the curtains.

Big dreams? Yes. I see nothing wrong with it. It's worth a try, right? Libre mangarap. At least when I'm there, I can confidently say that I am ready to cross the bridge.

Keeping the faith!

Everything Fell Into Place

Last week, my journey's focus was on prayer.

During the staff prayer session, the daily readings and up until the Gospel last Sunday, it all focused on prayer. The struggles to pray, how to pray, what to pray for.

God is really a generous God.

I realized through my reflections that yes, I have asked and I received. I sought and I found it.

To make the long story short, one of the my biggest prayer concerns was answered. Everything fell into place.

I am just humbled and amazed.

Thankful and grateful.

In Full Bloom

This is how I can describe the status of my career at present.

Another unexpected blessing came my way this afternoon. I accidentally cancelled the call because I was busy browsing my mobile. It was an unregistered number but I still decided to ring back as a courtesy to the caller.

To make the long conversation short I was given another opportunity to handle a class for two and a half weeks! I'll blog more on this later.

But aside from these opportunities, the comments and praises I have been receiving are just heart warming and inspiring.

Teachers who have planned absences actually request for me to handle their class! There was even one teacher who had an unplanned absence but still mentioned to the coordinator that she requested for me. Di ba nakakataba ng puso? I must be doing something right, right?

It is in times like these that I am affirmed that I chose to respond to the right vocation. That yes, I may not still be very well versed with the conversational language as an everyday thing, but inside the classroom I know I'm good. I know I'm good at what I do. I know that I teach well because of the talents and skills He has equipped me with. I know that this indeed is my calling. True enough, when you love what you do, it will reflect on the quality of your work.

I can only be thankful and grateful.

Keeping Up With The Times

I've been very busy the past few months and just last week, I realized, sobrang advanced na talaga ng mga bata at ng mga eskwelahan dito!

Ang daming bagay na akong nakikita dito at naikukumpara ko ito sa sistema sa Pinas. Malaki nga ang pagkakaiba.

Habang tumatagal, mas nakikita ko at naiitindihan ko kung bakit ganito ang sistema dito. Oo nga naman, may mga bagay na komplikado ituro, pero kung gagawin mo pang mas komplikado ang paraan ng pagtuturo mo, mahihirapan talaga ang mga bata.

Natuto ako. Tulad na lamang ng konsepto ng Area sa Math. Sa Pinas, hirap na hirap ang mga bata. Pero dito, as early as Kindy, nasisimulan na nila itong ituro ng hindi nalalaman ng mga bata na "Area" na pala ang pinag-aaralan nila! Galing!

Dito, hindi kailangang nakatayo ang mga guro habang nagtuturo. Very informal nga. Para sa akin, nababawasan ang pagiging takot ng mga bata sa guro nila na relaxed, malumanay ang boses, na parang nagkwekwento lang habang tinuturuan sila.

Isa sa mga napansin ko rin ay ang paggamit ng teknolohiya sa loob ng classroom. Sa loob ng classroon may mga iPad, Mac sa bawat bata, smartboards at iba pa. Nanood kami ng Youtube sa loob ng klase, we hve on-line apps and programme that the kids log on to, sa madaling sabi, ginagamit namin ang teknolohiya dito as a means to teach the kids. Sa tingin ko effective, kasi sumasabay na ang mga eskkwelahan dito sa kung ano ang klaseng mga estudyante meron sila. ngayon ay mga touch screen generation na. Ano naman ang papel ng mga guro? Parang facilitator of learning kami.

Naisip ko sa Pilipinas, sobrang late na ng mga bata dun. Oo may ipad,  mac at smartphones din siguro sila, pero ito ay para sa personal use naman, chalk at blackboard pa rin (manila paper sa state schools siguro at OHP projectors sa mas may mga kayang eskwelahan) malamang ang nakakarami. Naisip ko nga ang AGS. Ang mga klase ba doon ay gumagamit na ng smartboard or OHP projector pa rin? Do they use these gadgets to help them teach? Kung talk and chalk pa rin ang sistema sa Pinas, nakakalungkot, pero magpagiiwanan na talaga sila.

Sana maisip nila na sumabay na sa development ng technology and use it to their advantage, and not see it as a threa.

Surprise!

Yesterday and today, my students surprised me by giving me cards and hand picked flowers.

As my friends said, these acts are an affirmation.

For me these acts were the boost I needed after losing a bit of my self confidence, when it came to teaching, in different schools and in another country.

Here are some of the things they gave.

For My Mama's Retirement

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

Bring It On!

Am I destined to be one? To always be a student, that is.

I don't know if it's part of my destiny and part of God's plan that I always end being a student.

Remember the plans of me pursuing a Certificate Course on Children's Services? Well, there has been a slight change in our plans. My academic qualifications at present hinder me from practicing teaching in the State schools. I also believe that me not having enough Primary schooling courses back in the University, even with 7 years of teaching experience, hinder me from being shortlisted whenever I apply for a permanent position in the Catholic schools (where I am allowed to teach).

It was hubby who actually suggested that since I am up for another round of schooling, why not take the course that will allow me to meet the academic requirements set by DET and make my chances of getting a permanent teaching position in the Catholic schools, higher.Hitting two birds with one stone.

He has a point.

Knowing me and after everything I've experienced in my first Master's degree, I would have aborted that suggestion as soon as hubby mentioned it. But that is being selfish.

Thinking about it now, if studying again will be my part in ensuring a secure and better future for our family, then i I'd gladly do it. Let's face it, at present, in Sydney or elsewhere, you are not really sure when you'll get fired or when an unpleasant event happens in the company you work for. The past days I have been seeing news reports where companies are closing down, leaving their poor employees at a dead end. So even if you are on a permanent position today, you can never can tell what will happen tomorrow. Hubby and I need a back-up plan, just in case(touchwood) somethimg happens with hubby's work (or worse) something happens to hubby (touchwood).

We have actually wanted that after I graduated from my Graduate Certificate course in Religious Education, hubby will then take up a course to also build up his portfolio. But we have to be realistic. His present workload and travel time hinder him from pursuing a course, even if it's offered online. So hubby, will again give way for me. I am actually inpired to start and pursue this study because hubby inspires me. Just looking at all his hardwork now, which allows us to live comfortably, makes me realize that I also have to do my share. Afterall, we are partners. We should held out each other. Hindi pwedeng ako lang ang puro pasarap, tama?

It's his turn to work (and fund all our expenses) and my turn to study now. Who knows, after a couple of years, our roles might switch. His turn to study and my turn to work (and fund all our expenses and his turn to get spoiled by me).

Thank goodness, people are assuring me that there will always be work for teachers. I'm assured that the field I belong to has no "recession" time. I mean teachers will always have work whatever happens to the economy because education will always be part of everyone's life, and a priority, right?

I have started fixing my requirements and sooner than you think, I have already submitted my application for another Master's degree -- Master in Teaching(Primary). I am now looking at all the factors (schedule, funds, my casual work, and most importantly my kids) and weighing the pros and cons if I choose UWS over UNE.

Another set of challenges? You bet! But I'm more confident now. I think God has prepared me for this BIG step. I can do this!

Bring it on!

Keeping My Fingers Crossed

Let us rewind the hands of the clock a bit.

Way back in Manila, when I was just starting my career as a teacher, I had this crazy idea: I have thought of putting up my own pre-school when I am already of age and retired (or even earlier, funds permitting). After a few months, I started my Master's degree on Basic Education and found it a bit boring (Sorry, but it was like I was taking my undergrad courses again). I looked at my other options. I remembered my crazy idea. Put the pieces of the puzzle together. The end-result? I'll put up my own pre-school when I retire so I needed to change my grad course if I was dead serious with it. I was so into it because I never had the inkling that I will be migrating someday. I shifted my Masteral Degree from Basic Education to Educational Administration to prepare me for that big day.

Then, fate stepped in. Our migration happened.

Slowly, I forgot this crazy idea.

I forgot about this dream.

And then something hit me just last week. Yes, last week, when I was a bit bored, doing some reflecting: it hit me: why not study again? I was open to studying again, but what course?

I had my first call last Wednesday. Thursday, I had none. I went to the daycare and had a little chat with the directress. Then a vision came to me.

Hey, hey, hey. I can be like her.

Then slowly, things fell into place, like pieces of a puzzle fitting in perfectly.

I will pursue that dream again.

Why not? When here in Sydney, you will always have an assured clientele for daycare centres.
When now, there are more and more Filipinos migrating.

I am not even thinking of how I am going to fund for that daycare -- you know, purhcasing the land, the contsruction, the permits, etc. I will all deal with it if it's time. All I know NOW is I need to do the first BIG step .

I read and researched.

I really need to study. That is the first step.

Too bad though that I have to start everything from Certificate III on Children's Services before I can enroll and pursue a Diploma Course on Children's Services. The Diploma course is the required degree to run a daycare.

Too bad as well because even if my undergrad and grad degrees are in the field of Education they are not going to be credited.

No short cuts for me then.

Surprisingly, my spirit to accomplish this hasn't been dampened by these recent discoveries.

Focusing on the good news:

First, I can do it online.

Second, I can fast track things. First step (Cert 3 course) takes 24 months. But it depends on how fast I can pass the requirements, I can finish it in a year! (I also need job placement to complete the Cert 3 course). I know I can do these especially after juggling my two-year course with career and family duties :-) If I did it before, I know I can do it again :-)

Third, it is not as expensive as I thought it would be. Roughly $47 per week for 48 months.

Lastly, and more importantly, hubby is with me, 100%.

So will I start anytime soon?

That is now the big question. I want to start now while I'm still doing casual work, and at least I won't be too old to do childcare when I have my job placement. But, hubby, even if he is with me 100% suggests that we wait some more.

Hehehe.

I feel good about this.

I will keep you posted.

I am keeping my fingers crossed.

All Systems Go!

Fixed and did some errands yesterday for my big comeback to the work force. Not a glitch.

Yes, it's a "yes" for me... for us.

All systems go for me.

Still need to do some errands but will have to postpone it till next week :-) Anyway I still have 2-3 more weeks to do all of them.

No rush. Term 1 anyway is not that busy for casuals like me.

Still "listening" to what He is trying to tell us so we can be guided :-)

Building up the excitement :-) Go, go, go!

Affirmation

Congratulations! I feel confident that our children would be in good hands in your classroom.

This was how my teacher ended her comments after assessing my paper :)

Just feels good that she can see my potential once I go back to work.

The past days have really not been good with me and Sam getting sick, but reading this yesterday somehow made me feel good. It's the push that I needed as well. I'm just 4 papers away from receiving my first Australian credential for my portfolio :)

It's a piece of good news and an affirmation as well, a little reminder for me that I should not get worried being in ML for a year. He will take care of it. He will take care of me ;)

Good things are on their way :)

The Other Side of the Coin

I am a teacher for a decade now and being one, I feel that I am already familiar of how parents act when it comes to the schooling of their children. Well, apparently not. It seems that being being a teacher and a parent can teach you lessons and bring about different realizations. Now that I have my own kid going to school (pre-school), here are two of the things that I have realized:

1. You can never be a teacher to your own kid. Yes, I am a teacher. I am a patient person specially for kids who needs assistance, but I find myself being impatient when my son does not do what I want him to do on his spare time (like practicing to write letters, his name, etc-- don't want him spending the entire morning just watching TV). I lose it. Hehe. We end up mad at each other. Of course I teach him the basics but when it becomes me portraying an academic teacher inside the house? Won't work. Good thing I am in the course of reading this book, Raising Boys, and my perspective and attack on how to teach my son is changing. I got a better picture what goes inside his head and what he needs at this stage of his life. SO now knowing more about raising boys, I am in no hurry to let him do the things I want him to do. As the book says, boys really develop later than girls their age.

2. Parents will be parents. Being a teacher for almost a decade now gave me enough cases of dealing with different parents. I can sense if a parent becomes "defensive" and tries to justify the actions of their children. SOmetimes to the point of becoming a "stage parent". I promised myself I won't become one. But recently when I had the chance to have an informal talk with Liam's teacher, she mentioned that I should give him more puzzles to work on at home. This surprised me because at home he does his puzzles (28pcs) without any hitch. The first puzzle we gave him took him sometime (probably around 5 times) before he completed it without any help and in less tahn 3 minutes. The second puzzle that we gave him only took him twice to complete by himself. SO I was a bit surprised when his teacher told me. Not wanting to look like a stage parent I tried to explain this to his teacher, so his teacher showed me the puzzle he was working on earlier that day. It was smaller but it also had 28 pcs as well. I stopped myself from explaining further because I didn't want to sound like a "defensive" parent to his teacher. I suddenly realized, so this is how it feels. Hehe. Now, I realized that parents, when trying to say that their kids are not like that at home, can probably have a basis. Because Liam is not like that at home. He likes puzzles and he is good at them. ANyways, I was thinking that maybe what the teacher is saying is that he needs assistance because LIam has this tendency of giving up easily at the first try. You need to prompt him and encourage him and remind him to be patient. Well, he is my son.Haha SO that is a wake up call for me as well. Need to see me more practicing patience at home. I am just glad that aside from this comment nothing else should be worked on. His teacher says that he is a good and a bright boy. SOmetimes getting naughty in class with the other boys, but generally he is okay in class. I am not worried about that now (thanks again to the book ;))Boys will be boys. I'd rather have a whole-rounded son than a "perfect" son carrying with him many "baggages" when he grows up.

LIam has just started with pre-school and I know that as he goes up one year to the next I will get to realize more. I just feel happy that now, I get to see the other side of the coin :)

Teaching...again.

Yesterday, I finally started with my first Aussie teaching job. It was an answered prayer. For months now my family has been praying about it and when I finally got a call, the rest as they say is history.

So there I was, ready as ever, hoping that my more than seven years of Primary school teaching experience in Manila has equipped me for my new role. But I was wrong. As soon as I stepped inside the school grounds I knew it woudn’t be an easy day for me. As time ticked I felt that everything was going wrong. To start with, no one even gave me an orientation. 10 to 15 minutes before the bell rang, I still didn’t know whose class I was going to take, what the topics for the day were and the activities as well. It’s like I was left inside a totally dark room looking for my way out. People around don’t seem to care as well. I am thinking they were assuming that I could already handle everything. Finally, the class started. 5 minutes before the class started, the teacher who I was going to replace finally listed down the things I needed to do. I was new to everything. I managed the get hold of the kids’ attention for 30 minutes but after that there was another change in the to-do list. Students from two other classes just went inside my room. I wanted to tell my students to wait as I summarize what we had in the morning, but they were all in a hurry. So there I was trying to do another activity for an hour in a new batch of students. It didn’t help that there were a few students who were being silly and naughty inside. If I were in Manila I would have raised my voice to those kids already and send them out in the classroom. I could have easily done that, but I was in a new country. Rules for kids are strictly implemented. I wouldn’t want to have a record on my first day and be totally banned from teaching. So there I was trying all sort of positive discipline styles. By lunch time I wanted to cry already. Oh how I miss my former school!

I wanted to end the day as soon as possible but for some weird reason, time seemed didn’t fly as fast as I hoped it to be. I had to endure 3 more hours of misadventures and surprises. I was adjusting, trying to unlearn what I had in Manila, but I was also trying to learn the new system I was now in. Can’t thank heaven enough when the final bell rang and the teacher gave me her go signal that all is done for the day. I was disappointed, because I felt I didn’t do well on my first day. I was shaken because everything went so fast and unplanned. No order, no routine, nothing. And it was not me. On my way home I tried to recall everything that happened in school. I was sure glad the day was over. But it made me think as well. It was a wake up call. I am truly out of my comfort zone. I believe that this experience generally gave me an idea of the next teaching jobs to come. Next time hopefully will be better. I am still thankful for this first. I am not complaining, because at the end of the day, whatever happened during the day, it is still a blessing.

The Chosen Few

I miss teaching. To start with,  never did I imagine myself teaching even if I came from a family of teachers. Oh yes, I passed through that stage of play pretend, even using the doors of the house, to the dismay of my mom,  to be my blackboard. I had a friend who finished Molecular Biology and Biotechnology from UST, I thought she'd pursue Medicine. But I was surprised when I found out that she accepted a job in one of the good schools in Manila. Why teach? But I really admired her for that big decision. I didn't realize that a few years after that I would be on the same boat. I started with a medical course in college only to find myself shifting to another course which was closer to my heart. I thought teaching was only about talking to your students about the lessons for the day, making and checking quizzes, doing projects, etc. But I was proven wrong when I started teaching. I thought teaching was just another profession, but I soon realized that teaching is not for everyone. I was lucky enough to experience teaching in a school where they make you realize that teaching is not an ordinary profession. In fact, it's not a profession at all! It is a vocation. There is more to teaching. More is expected of you "when you are called to be one." It is not simply telling a story, writing tests, checking homeworks, or singing songs. It's controlling your temper when the whole class goes crazy, giving hope to a student who feels like a loser, it's giving time to sit and listen to the stories and heartaches of your students. It's like being a mom or a dad, an older brother or sister, even a playmate. Day in and day out you share yourself to your students. Each day poses new challenges and new adventures for both you and your students. It's not a one way street though.  In teaching, you get to discover more and more about yourself. I am at present "on leave" and this made me appreciate this vocation more. In this sharing, I would like to salute all the people who made an effort to respond to this vocation. It is not easy to stay in this profession knowing that it is not financially rewarding. But there is more to money. The respect, the admiration, the love of your students, and the success of your students are just some of the many priceless rewards you get from teaching. I am now not surprised why people like my friend accept and embrace what teaching has to offer. After all, she is one of the chosen few.