When both your career and passion come together.
I used to play “teacher-teacher” way back my childhood days. Mama and Papa bought me a few sets of black board, chalks and teacher stuff to support this interest. I played along with my childhood friends who were younger than me, so of course I played the teacher role. We had our classroom in the balcony next to the streets. So when neighbors pass by they would always tease me “Oy si Teacher Meg nag klase na” (waray language: “Ah Teacher Meg is having a class already”). I always feel shy about this so I decided to move my classroom at the backdoor.
I made my own schedule from morning songs to my academic classes teaching my younger friends to add ad subtract and play spelling bee and stuff. I would even prepare their snacks and which probably made them stay and play with me. At the end of the class I would say “ok children it’s time to go home” and that’s literally their time to go home.
I remember during my Kindergarten graduation, we were asked to memorize this line “When I grow up I want to be a....” while most of my classmates said “I want to be a princess, I want to be Cinderella, I want to be a king” and etc. I was the only one who said “When I grow up I want to be a teacher”. Mama was really proud of me because she never asked me about it, she never forced me to memorize this line and she never taught me what to say. Even when I was in elementary and high school I was always happy when teachers ask me to write a paragraph page on the blackboard using the chalks. I feel happy when they ask me to put a check mark on the names of children who are present. I felt responsible when they ask me to list down children who were noisy and most of all when they ask me to check papers.
March of 2011 I had to take an entrance test at University of San Carlos. Mama and Ate Lady was with me. The office has to know what course would I take since the test will depend on it. Without any hesitations I wrote down “Bachelor in Education major in Special Education”. I did not have any idea about Special Education until one of my cousins who came to Samar for holidays was taking this course. I thought, ah, I want my course to be special and it would be more fulfilling to teach children with special needs. Unfortunately, I failed my entrance test because I was scared of the maniac examiner. I felt really down and embarrassed. On top of that, I don’t know what other course should I take. I was thinking about accountancy or nursing but it didnt feel right to me. The thought doesnt feel right to me. I’m so lucky that Mama was with me. She convinced me to go to the faculty of education and ask the Chair if she could give me a chance under probation. And she did.
I started my first year college at this prestigious university where my sister also finished her Accounting degree with flying honors. I thought, I wanted to follow her steps and the fact that she was the one supporting me financially for everything.
So, dich, if one day, by chance you get to read this: Thank you for all that you have done for me. I would not be here happily enjoying my career if without your love and support. Words are not enough to tell you how grateful I am to have you as my big sister, the most selfless person I know.
March 2015, 4 years later, I finished my degree and yes, Cumlaude! I started my first job at USC-Montessori Academy as Gavin’s shadow teacher. A shadow teacher works directly with a single child with special needs. During this year I was also studying for my license examination at the same time. Passing a teacher’s license is a big thing in the Philippines to become a legit teacher. You can only teach at a public school if you have this license. It is also a big plus if you apply in private sector.
And of course after 6 months of reviewing my 4 year studies, I was able to pass my license test. April 2016 I left my shadow teaching job upon knowing that Gavin will be moved to a mainstream set up in which he will be part of the regular classroom with special class in the afternoon. That was my first fulfillment as a teacher, that I made a change and that I made a big help to a little boy.
So, Mr & Mrs Chiu, if by chance too that you get to read this, thank you for entrusting your little boy to me 4 years ago. He may not remember me anymore but I would always remember his sweet and lovely face that always complete my weekdays.
April 2016 I started a new job as a Nursery teacher at Saint Anthony Montessori Learning Center. I handled 16 children. 10 in the morning and 6 in the afternoon with no teacher assistant. So whenever they cry and pee, I had to take care of everything. This was really a tough job plus I wasnt well compensated. So during the start of my 2nd school year here, I was already planning to leave and find a new job somewhere abroad. Because no matter what I do, I will never have a satisfying salary in the Philippines unless I improve my education background which would take me years to study and work for experience. So during that time I decided to take my certificate in Montessori at the same university where I took my bachelors. Not long before finished this study, I have decided to quit my job in the middle of the school year.
In November, after I got my certificate, I was jobless. I went back home to Samar and stayed with my parents. Enjoying the life of unemployed. I was depressed with my career, personal growth, and even my relationship was failing. I was unemployed and unproductive for almost 6 months.
Chim took me out of this misery again. She bought me tickets to Singapore and I stayed there for 4 months I think. I tried my best to find a job there but it was hard. First, Singapore has a different curriculum and is very strict about their education system. I was already losing hope and so I accepted the fact that I have to move on and just accept the same jobs back in Cebu. Until 3 days before I leave Singapore I tried to apply online in Bangkok schools. and whoo! I got instantly hired. So I flew back to Cebu to get my papers done and moved to Bangkok immediately. Then, my life in a new country started. Read my previous blog about life in Bangkok.
So far, I am enjoying my career here at Prep. I love the children and they make my life here easier. They give me hope and they make me happy even at my worst days. Preparing materials, preparing my lessons and stuff can sometimes be exhausting but actually teaching them and interacting with them makes the job really easier.
The sad part of this teaching life is that, yes I am happy with my job. I am very passionate with my job. Sometimes I lose motivation and I feel tired but that’s normal. I am a human being. I lose patience and sometimes I have no motivation at all. But I cant imagine not doing this. I cant imagine working in a different field. I love teaching, I love kids and I love seeing them grown and learn from me. And even tho you will never see and hear them thank you, but the way I see them change and grow into beautiful human beings, make it worth the while.
I may not be earning as much as other professionals do, I may not get rich with this kind of job, but my heart is full. The only thing that makes me unhappy is the life after teaching hours- my personal life. When I want to explore more, I want to study more and do the things I personally want to achieve but I can’t because I still need to improve on my education. And somehow, I have learned to accept things and plan out the next move. We’ll where this passion and love for this career brings me.
Like they say: follow your heart, be happy with your job and everything else will follow.
