# data[].attributes.body
"Kahit na anong bagay na gustong mong gawin, at sa palagay mo'y nakagagawa ka ng mabuti sa kapwa mo... hindi ka mahihirapan. Sa kabila n'yon, maliligayahan ka."

Ang linyang ito mula sa nobelang Titser ni Liwayway Arceo ang patuloy na nagpapaalala sa akin na masayang magturo at maging guro. Bagamat may kaakibat na mabigat na tungkulin, sa puso, ito ay nakapagpapasaya. Nakapagpapaligaya.

Sa gitna ng pandemya, batid kong hindi biro ang maging isang guro. Nariyan ang iba’t ibang hamon dulot ng iba’t ibang moda ng pagtuturo. Iba’t ibang pagtugon. Iba’t ibang danas. Mula sa paghahanda, pamamahagi at pangangalap ng modyul, tunay na hindi biro ang puyat, hirap at pagod na puhunan.

Minsan nga ay may nagtanong sa akin kung para kanino ako bumabangon.  Simple lang ang aking naging tugon, "para sa pamilya, pagtuturo at pagiging guro”. Sa tuwing nakapagbabahagi ako, naliligayahan ako. Sa tuwing may mag-aaral na naliliwanagan, naliligayahan ako. Sa tuwing may magulang na nakikipagtulungan, naliligayahan ako. Sa tuwing may mag-aaral na nagtitiwala, naliligayahan ako. Sa tuwing may mag-aaral na natututo at nagpapatuloy, naliligayahan ako.

Hindi man malaki ang sweldo ng isang guro, batid kong mayaman ako. Sa simpleng mga bagay at pagtuturo, alam kong masaya ako---naliligayahan ako.

# data[].attributes.headline
Last month, our department hosted a graduate student orientation day. I was given the task of supervising the game. A raffle and a special game were held. "iText Mo, May Supresa Ako" is the name of the special game. Participants will text me their contact information and their responses to my question, "Para kanino mo kinakaya?" As the participants' responses were being submitted, an answer related to my profession came to mind. At the time, I was enlightened as to why I am still able to cope because of my teachers. I understand that this pandemic has been difficult because everyone has had to make significant adjustments to the new teaching platform. I was able to attend graduate school because of the guidance and inspiration provided by my teachers. They have become heroes in our educational and professional lives because they were willing to make sacrifices and give their entire lives to guide us to new learning and motivate us to pursue our life goals, even in the midst of a pandemic. They have become my inspiration, and I hope to follow in their footsteps in the future. Today, I'm still struggling to finish my studies, but my teacher heroes are there to help.

# data[].attributes.subject
Last month, our department hosted a graduate student orientation day. I was given the task of supervising the game. A raffle and a special game were held. "iText Mo, May Supresa Ako" is the name of the special game. Participants will text me their contact information and their responses to my question, "Para kanino mo kinakaya?" As the participants' responses were being submitted, an answer related to my profession came to mind. At the time, I was enlightened as to why I am still able to cope because of my teachers. I understand that this pandemic has been difficult because everyone has had to make significant adjustments to the new teaching platform. I was able to attend graduate school because of the guidance and inspiration provided by my teachers. They have become heroes in our educational and professional lives because they were willing to make sacrifices and give their entire lives to guide us to new learning and motivate us to pursue our life goals, even in the midst of a pandemic. They have become my inspiration, and I hope to follow in their footsteps in the future. Today, I'm still struggling to finish my studies, but my teacher heroes are there to help.

# data[].attributes.headline
STORIES BY THE SEA: Fueling my Teacher Heart

# data[].attributes.subject
STORIES BY THE SEA: Fueling my Teacher Heart

# data[].attributes.body
Good day, teachers! I'd like to share my journey as a teacher-mom.  Sending hugs and inspiration to everyone experiencing the same.

*Kindly click the photo to enlarge. Thanks!

# data[].attributes.headline
2017 Courage Story: Ivy's Teaching Journey

# data[].attributes.subject
2017 Courage Story: Ivy's Teaching Journey

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Online Distance Learning in Public School

# data[].attributes.body
MAGANDANG UMAGA! Ito ang katagang bungad lagi sa’tin nila Ma’am sa bawat simula ng klase natin sa umaga. Kalakip ang ngiti, sabay pahabol pa ng “Kumusta ka?”. Pero minsan naisip ko, “Maganda nga ba talaga ang umaga nila? Nakakatulog pa kaya sila? Kumusta na nga ba talaga sila?”.

Maganda lang siguro talaga silang magdala. Nagagawa nilang tumawa kahit kalusugan nila’y nasa panganib na. Sa bawat pagpasok nila, siguradong may kinikimkim na pangamba. Mayroon pa nga akong kilala, nagluluksa pa nga, pumapasok na. Mayroon pang isa, papadyak ng pagkalayu-layo maihatid lang ang edukasyon sa bata. Lahat ito ay dahil sa isa isang panunumpa na gagawin lahat, PARA SA BATA, PARA SA BANSA.

Kaya sa pagpikit ng aking mga mata, dalangin lagi sa pinakamamahal na Bathala, panatilihing malakas at masigla ang pangangatawan nila. Nawa’y matapos na itong pandemya. Para hindi na lamang sa kamera lagi makikita ang ngiti nila o sa ispiker ang mga bati nila. Gusto ko nang makita sila Ma’am, mata sa mata, at muling personal na marinig ang kanilang pagbati ng, “MAGANDANG UMAGA!”.

# data[].attributes.body
It is the same room, on the second floor of the new building where I met a special student of mine which I can considered the ''apple of my eye''. Apple of my eye not because he is the brightest and smartest among my 45 pupils, but because of the attachment I put and invested to him.

Daryl ( not his real name ) is my student in Grade six for two times, two times because I had to failed him on his first year due to absenteeism. On his second , I looked for him again, to let him realize the importance of education because I've seen potential on him. On my continuous  home visitation, I've already found the answers , the root of all causes. Daryl lives with his 75 years old grandmother, a two minor siblings. and being the eldest among the group, at the age of 14 at that time, he earned for the family. His father died due to buy-bust operation and his mother was recently in jailed.

With so much understanding, with my co-grade six teachers, we helped him a lot, gave all the opportunities we can so he can get the certificate to be an elementary graduate. I let him to eat at canteen for free, if there are school supplies given, I make it sure that he is on the list,  I tried to gave him baon, 20.00 in a day, but a single money from me was  didn't accepted by him and said '' mam , okay na po sakin ang pagkain''

Months have passed, we succeeded ! He is  on the list , the list for the pupils who is eligible for graduation. And at that moment , I felt that is one of the happiest day for him when he hugged me tight and say '' thank you mam sa lahat, sa muling pagkikita po '', and I answered '' lagi ka mag-iingat, alagaan mo ang iyong sarili''.

Three months later, exactly 1st week of July, at 12 in the afternoon, a call from the National High School through the principals' office brought me to shock and fear.  A student name Daryl was shot in dead by allegedly boyfriend who is 20 years old older than him. Due to the incident all the schools in our division was put in high-alert security. At that night. the incident was all over the news, he was shut down , lunch time inside the classroom.

Because of the background I know and the pieces of papers I have, I was invited throughout the week for a testimony in the police station as well as the fiscals' office, that moment is also the time when I found out that the man who walks with him in our graduation rites is the allegedly boyfriend who killed him because of jealous.

Daryl's story is one of the many, it only depicts poverty , child labor and such immoral acts that others were using for those who are in need. Being a public elementary school teacher for nine years in a row, this story of us is one of my treasured one with underlying questions, what if I'm still his adviser? Is there a chance that I can impede the killing ? What if I adopt him based on my first plan? What if,, what if? Because of the love we had for our students, everyday is a what if's for us.

To Daryl, I hope you remembered me as one of your teacher in elementary. The 14 years of life you had, and the two years of this taught me to be a more responsible, caring and understanding adviser that I can be. Sorry for not being on your 4 days wake, because I believe I've already done my part when your alive and when I spend my week in the Fiscals Office. Till we met again, you will always be a part of my teaching profession.

LOVE,
Tcher ANNE

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
My Agoncillo National High School family. This photo was edited by Mrs. Demetria M. Estrada for our School Teacher's Day Celebration 2021.

# data[].attributes.body
Tulay ng Pangarap

Hindi ka guro "lang", TULAY ka. Tulay na nilikha ng may kabuluhan, pinanday ng Maykapal ang iyong kabuuan, hinubog ng mga karanasan ang butihin mong puso, at isipan mo ay patuloy mong pinalalago. Hindi ka guro "lang", tulay ka na magsisilbing daan upang mula sa kahirapan at buhay na puno ng kalungkutan makatawid sila patungo sa tagumpay. Hindi ka guro "lang", bahagi ka ng lipunan na may malaking ginagampan.

Hindi ka guro "lang", TULAY ka. Matibay at matatag, kahit anong unos, pagsubok at sakuna ang dumaan mananatiling nakatayo sa dapat kalagyan. Pumutok man ang bulkan at nasira ang iyong tahanan, lahat ng pinaghirapan naging abo lamang. Balutin man ng takot at pangamba dahil sa pandemya, sapagkat ikaw din ay may sariling pamilya. Lumuha man ang mata sa paghihinagpis dahil sa pagpanaw ng iyong asawa, kapatid, ama, ina, lolo at lola patuloy mo paring ginagawa lahat upang maging daluyan ng pagkatuto, nagiging gabay sa paggawa ng kabutihan, at pinaghuhugutan ng pag-asa ng mga kabataan.

Hindi ka guro "lang", TULAY ka.Nais Kong malaman mo ipinagmamalaki kita, masaya akong nakasama ka.. Ang iyong dedikasyon at pagmamahal sa ating propesyon sa akin laging nag papaalala
Hindi ako guro lang, GURO AKO... Tulay ng Pangarap.

-----------------------------------------
Happy Teacher's Day to my ANHS family, I witnessed your struggles, hardships, and pain but your love for teaching keeps going. This essay is for you. ❤️

# data[].attributes.body
You are essential.

I want you to know that you are seen, and you are valued. You may not be listed as essential workers. But you are essential.

Teaching during this coronavirus pandemic is so far from typical. It’s literally nothing school systems have ever done before. This isn’t what you signed up for, and yet you’re doing it anyway. You’re putting together distance learning plans. You’re adapting your teaching in the blink of an eye.

I know you miss your students, the classroom community, and the culture you cultivated. I know how much your students mean to you, how they become “your kids” year after year,  and how much you love seeing them light up when they learn something new.

Don’t worry. Your students are still learning something new. You are still teaching. You are creating history. Teachers, parents can’t replace you. You are essential. Take care of yourself. Be well. Try your best. And thank you for being there.

Love,

Teacher Cath

This is a letter of gratitude to all the teachers out there! Happy Teachers Day! Keep on fighting Ma'am and Sir!

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Taken last June 13, 2017- The very first day that I have met my "panganays" whom I always love and miss every single day of my life.

# data[].attributes.body
Growing up, I used to be the bunso of the group- may it be in class, organization, even
at work.

But when the time I started to walk through the pathway of this so-called vocation, the bunso self in me have grown-up really fast, better, more responsible, and selfless.

From having a YOLO life, I hurdled to live responsibly for these twenty six diverse individuals who just started wandering the world. Meeting them had always been my greatest treasure as I have learned more about life from them.

They showed me a lot of things that no older eyes can see. They gave me the joy of being contented about having the smallest and simplest things in my life. They taught me, to be the person I was never before. Lastly, from them I have learned about vulnerability. That it is okay if you cannot do all things if you are just a beginner. That it is okay if sometimes we quitted, took a break, and searched some space to breathe.

We may receive the least recognition, consideration, or at worst, compensation. But bear in mind that we too, are worth celebrating for!

__________

To all of you my fellow teachers who never get tired in shaping the future,

Happy Teacher’s Day! Mabuhay kayo ng makatarungan, padayon! 💚