heroes are in the grass sometimes.....

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I left public school
in August of 2007
after3 years of experience
and a permanent position
Don't get me wrong. I loved
the job. It was after all
my dream to be of service
to my country. But I got
tired. I realized that
before I can be patriotic,
I have to secure a
decent life for myself first.
How can you think of nationalism
when you are hungry?

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But I miss public school and teaching chemistry for 3rd year secondary students. Someday, I hope to write a book about the fun and troubles of my teaching experience as well as the sorry condition of the Philippines educational system. For now, all I have are memories and picture to remind me of those days......

My first year proved to be a shock-and-awe experience. Fresh from private school, I got a taste of how chaotic public school is in the Philippines. I looked old and stressed as a result.



I was lucky enough though because I handled the A-class which was a big bliss. I love the fact that they learn fast and they constantly challenge me with intelligent questions. No dull moments. I love talking to a mature audience.

My advisory class during my 1st year.....



My 2nd year.....


and 3rd year......

I left sometime in the middle of the school year so I didn't have the chance to have a class picture with them. Yes, they were orphaned. It was a sad decision. This was taken during my last day. I was teary eyed because my section declared a HOLIDAY just to be with me the whole afternoon. Oh, they even prepared a song, dance and drama extravaganza just to bid me farewell. I really miss them.



Being an adviser is constant struggle, for respect and sanity. You have to constantly look after your herd and prepare tons of paperwork. Most of which are useless and a waste of time. I had the feeling that they just want to keep teachers busy with those nonsense forms.

On the lighter side, having an advisory class could give you the opportunity to have a more intimate relationship with your students. We play jokes on each other and I allow them to treat me like one of their classmates provided that they know their limitations. I'm very strict during the class so I usually remind them to be equally mindful.





I also miss my co-teachers and the love-and-hate relationship with them, most specially my best friend Marvin who never in a single moment left me in a fight during those 3 years of idealism. I remember him being restless in my restlessness and excited in my joys.

He still works in the same school called ANDRES BONIFACIO INTEGRATED SCHOOL OF MANDALUYONG and is equally (if not more) as dedicated as before. I admire him for that.....





It has been only a year but a lot of things changed since then. But as they say, once a teacher, always a teacher. I will one day go back to a regular school. I don't know how soon or if I could still handle high school. College might be better.

I learned a lot from my public school experience so I kinda miss it sometimes. Here, I met people from all walks of life and I learned a lot from them. Ordinary people with ordinary stories and teachers who go out of their way to do more than is expected of them. Having said so, I would like to quote from the GRADUATION SPEECH ( as if it's already graduation) of Kevin Jackson in the tv series BOSTON PUBLIC.

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"I guess my big message for today is: heroes are in the grass sometimes. They're not always on billboards and magazine covers. You got to look for them - even when they're standing right in front of you. So do that. Let's live our lives trying to do that. Spot 'em. Point 'em out to your kids. Maybe there's dreams out there in the grass, too. "

full speech here

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