Disclaimer: Chaotic post ahead! This post is only based on my ample experience working for a non-profit organization (NGO) and a national government agency (NGA) . I am no longer connected with these two but I’m still not dropping names. Oh, and this might be lengthy because I babble a lot!
Yesterday, I had a call with a junior from my previous NGO asking for some tips about working in an NGA where I was assigned recently. The last tip I gave her was along the lines of:
Last September 2018, I took the Board Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers (BLEPT). The results came out 2 weeks ago and I passed! I still haven’t verified my rating but I’m just glad I can already rest well. 🙂
At the beginning of the Fellowship, I have already expected that this experience will involve leaving my mark to the students, school, and the community. But as I journeyed through it, I learned that what’s more important is I lead and enable others to leave their own mark. I have witnessed this when I had the opportunity to coach five (5) pupils for a Science Olympiad – a highlight that has left mark in me.
With only a month of preparation, we were informed that our school was invited to join the Division of Cagayan de Oro Science Quiz Bee. Both excited and hesitant, I accepted the challenge to coach and train five (5) pupils from Grades 3-6. For almost 3 hours a day, under a tree or inside the container van, whether it rained or not, we reviewed past lessons and practiced answering questionnaires. More than having a difficult time, they had determination and eagerness to come after school and still train.
Up until the day of competition, all they had was excitement. They were placed in different rooms were 50+ participants were seated. In one of the rooms, I saw the list of all participating schools – except the Macapaya extension. I almost teared up. I know, not all schools know our campus, but I expected a little from the Division.
Nevertheless, my pupils did well for their first-ever interschool tournament. In the Environmental Science category, my pupil placed fifth (5th). I am extremely and equally proud of them and their enthusiasm. Although they weren’t recognized, I believed that in a way, the students have left their marks and Camaman-an Elementary School – Macapaya Campus has already been put on the map – ready to conquer the Division next time.
All smiles,
When you were inducted as a Teacher Fellow, everything was well-planned. The fellowship makes you become so aspirant and idealistic on how you would want to be a teacher inside the classroom. It makes you feel empowered that finally, you are a teacher. You can make a change. You can help the Filipino children dream big. You can inspire people to do the same as you are doing. But actually, these sentiments you make (or in this case, I made) were also the same reasons you will break.
The fellowship breaks you as you enter the classroom. Your heart breaks as you see kids without books, a school with no budget, and piles of tasks to do. You do things you want to do. You’re passionate and compassionate. You give your all in and out of the school. But it breaks you because you feel so unaccomplished. Only a tiny speck of change has happened. Were you really able to impart something to the children? That’s what we’re all hoping for.
And then, fellowship molds you. It molds you to become a changemaker. With all the things you see in front of you, it makes you think of more ways on how you can achieve change. And as you have become molded with your ideals and the realities of the education in the Philippines, you’ve become bolder, wiser, and fiercer (wow Laida Magtalas ver. 2.0!) with every challenge you face because you know that the Filipino children deserve excellent and relevant education. After all, we’re doing it #ParaSaBata at #ParaSaBayan.
Love,
Camaman-an Elementary School – Macapaya Campus Faculty with a parent
Noong nakaraang Disyembre, bilang paggunita sa kapaskuhan, ay napagdesisyunan naming mga guro na mamili ng mga estudyanteng kapus-palad na aming pagbibigyan ng mga munting regalo at handog. Akala ko ay ang mga bata ang matutuwa sa aming sorpresa, subalit kami palang mga guro ang higit na nasiyahan sa aming pag-aalay.
Donna Daydreams 