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Saturday, June 6, 2009

Nostalgic

photo courtesy of Rocky Monteclaro of Panoramio site

June is back to school in the Philippines. This year, the normal class started June 1 for all public schools. I was a little bit Nostalgic and at the same time relieved from all the Rush of working as a teacher. For 12 years, I have a daily routine. I live in an uptown community at the southwest of my city and my workplace is located at the East. I have to travel 40 kms everyday. The commute was so tiring and the traffic was really killing me. There were times that the shuttle driver would pick me up at five in the morning and I have to leave without breakfast. I call the driver "Manong Ben" if not for his dedication as a driver, I will be in deep trouble with my superiors. Everyday, I have to endure six rides, wakes up at 4 AM, no normal breakfast (my fault), in school up to five in the afternoon, arrived home at seven in the evening (exhausted) but I still have to write my lesson plan for the next day. Whewww! Lovelife? Set aside. UGH! LOL! Looking back, I can only smile. Was I happy? Yes! Was I tired? Of course yes!
As a teacher, the profession was rewarding. The reward is not money matters. The reward was when my 50 students can read and comprehend and when I gain the respect of the parents in the community.

June to August are crucial months for first grade teachers in public schools. The new pupils usually do not have preparatory school. Only few attended nursery and kinder. Therefore, 70% of the class have no idea of school setting, doesn't know how to read, doesn't know how to write and first time to be away from home.

Teachers usually help the children understand the rules inside the classroom. Some children would come to school crying and afraid of the new environment. And when their parents pick them up so late, they will cry too. It is up to the teacher's creative strategy how to calm a child like this. Take note, we have 50 children inside the classroom with one teacher. I know, not an ideal ratio. That is the real scenario of Public Schools in the Philippines and that is the truth.

Teaching in public schools taught me to be humble and appreciate how blessed I am as a person. I saw poverty in the eyes of my pupils. There were at least 20% who come to school with out papers and pencils and with out snacks. I share my blessings to them. By giving them a pad of paper and a pencil would mean heaven for them who have nothing.

I missed my classroom and missed my old students. I still keep in touch with my co-teachers and help the school as much as I can. But, how I wish I could help more.

12 comments:

  1. kya nga dapat kayong bigyan ng tribute dahil kung wala kayo para magturo sa mga batang nangangailangan ng karunungan ay wala rin na matuto...salamat sa pagtitiyaga na kahit ilang kilometro ang tinatahak nyo ay ginugusto nyo pa din na magturo kahit kakarampot lang ang inyong sweldo bilang guro, sabi mo nga di naman sa pera yon kundi sa kasiyahan na makita mo ang mga bata na natuto sa iyong itinuro sa kanila di ba?

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  2. Oh! Ams, looking at photos reminds me of my elementary school days.

    God bless you dear!

    Bogie' Wonderland
    A Taste of My Life

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  3. Hi Amy, I'm back here in your blog. The public school system here in the Philippines is not getting better, I heard there are classrooms now with about 60 or 70 students and they now have to go to school on shifting schedules due to lack of classrooms.

    Our teachers are really admirable for their efforts to teach the young ones despite the odds.

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  4. ok ra na ate amy maka miss gyud ang teaching profession naka experience nako

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  5. na-inspire naman ako sa story. haaay, i love teachers talaga. i have a sister too na teacher din.

    happy weekend!!

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  6. agoy, manlimbarot man sad kod basa aning imong post te....very inspiring kaayo...:)

    wow! 12 years ha....grabi ka dugay...:)

    wala naba ka desire mag teach dire sa US te?

    as in...grabi ka traffic sa CD pag buntag..mao ako class sa college mga udto na...para iwas late...hehehe!

    when man ka plan mag uli sato te? am sure miss na pod ka nila....:) ikaw jud ang highlight sa school kung maka uli ka puhon...:)

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  7. ay teacher ka pla te why you didn't try mag tutor online ate ng english

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  8. kalami man pagpahinumdum akong grade school days; dayun inspiring sad :-).

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  9. Hey, I have nominated your blog as one of the TOP 10 EMERGING INFLUENTIAL BLOGS of 2009

    http://www.dorothysvineyard.info/2009/06/top-10-emerging-influential-blogs-of-2009.html

    YOU DESERVE IT JUD TEACHER AMY...

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  10. long live teachers!!! ka-drama naman ha...mas ok sana if salary will increase, di ba??

    daming loan ha...di na kaya!

    good for you, di ba?

    ingat...:-)

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  11. This post really brought back memories for me as a school kid.

    Being teacher no matter what country you're in is difficult, but very rewarding. But in this case, it is really touching the impact you had on a country with the issues you brought up here.

    I admire you for the dedication and commitment.

    Thanks and best wishes my dear friend!:)

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  12. Teacher Amy, dili na tag akoa nomination.. That's a serious nomination.. visit the link sa Influential Blogger..

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