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.

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