The Teacher who inspired me to become a Teacher

My model of an outstanding teacher came from the first teacher that I have admired and respected. She was my SPED Science teacher, Teacher Trinidad P. San Diego. I can even still remember her full name in spite of the fact that decades have passed since I last saw her. She was only part of my life for a school year and yet she has made such an impact in it.

Yes, I was part of a SPED class. I believe that it is still called the SILAHIS NG KAUNLARAN up to now and is still housed in P. Gomez Elementary School in Manila. I belonged to the Accelerated Class or the “Fast Learners” which was composed of carefully selected students, from different public schools in Metro Manila, who went directly to Grade 5 coming from Grade 3. We were housed in the same building as other students who required “special” attention. Special or not, I believe that Teacher Trining’s characteristics would have inspired any student.

So what was it that made her so endearing to me? Her extreme patience, for one, really helped me realize my full potential. I came to SPED class a very impatient child. Most subjects bored me probably because the teachers failed to motivate me. They just didn’t have enough patience to answer the queries of a hyperactive, extremely playful gifted child. But Teacher Trining was different. She patiently answered all my questions about my second favorite subject (math was my favorite but I didn’t get along with the teacher well because she didn’t have the patience). Teacher Trining even went out of her way by lending me some of her own books, that’s what I call support. With her vast knowledge and excellent communication skills, she was able to explain to us in simple terms, complex scientific concepts that would have been difficult to understand had it been a mediocre teacher discussing it. To me, she appeared to be a Master of Science. She just simply had an answer to every question thrown at her. But even though she had all the answers, she would encourage us to express our views of the topic which in turn instilled confidence in us.

Teacher Trining was never late, as far as I can remember, which showed how dedicated she was to the profession. She was very neat and well groomed and really knew how to carry herself well. Not once have I hesitated to approach her because she always carried a smile and had this accommodating aura surrounding her. And this smile translated into a perfect sense of humor which she always incorporated in her discussions. This made learning science with Teacher Trining an enjoyable and unforgettable experience. The foundation in science, which she inculcated in me, eventually became my ticket to enter the best high school in the country, Philippine Science High School!

The Teacher: An Anecdote…

He starts the day performing one of his primary roles in society that is to be a role-model for his immediate family and also to his immediate community. Mr. C has to wake up early to make sure that he can do his preparations early so as not to be late. He must not only smell good but he must also appear good.  In doing so, he effectively puts in the mind of everyone who witnesses his daily rituals that a person must be dedicated, disciplined and well prepared in any type of work. Such is the responsibility of a true teacher. It doesn’t begin nor end within the confines of a classroom. He knows that his students are not only composed of the elements within the classroom but also those outside the school and even those inside his own domicile. So he must behave in such a way as to bring dignity to his profession. Because he knows that people are watching his every behavior and are not only concerned with what’s inside his mind. He knows that his conduct, his temperament and even his mannerisms are being watched by his students and society itself and thus learning is already happening as soon as he steps outside his bedroom.

 

He boards the tricycle at the same time each day because he knows that for every minute that he is late becomes a missed opportunity for his students to discover the world. He recognizes that he acts as a window to the world and society to his dear students. And often times they see the world the way he sees it. How he describes it to them lays the framework which these young minds will build on and hopefully improve on. And since the betterment of society is at stake, Mr. C just cannot be late, even for a minute. Not even for a second. Mr. C measures time in terms of information passed. Less time means less enlightenment. Less enlightenment means more darkness. More darkness means more CHAOS. So he needs to be in class, in time, to bring ORDER.

 

He sprints the hallway as if the life of a loved one was depending on it, unmindful of what is going on around him. Only one thing is going through the mind of Mr. C. “I AM A TEACHER. THEREFORE I MUST TEACH.” He steps inside the classroom and expects the class to greet him with a salutation that can be heard across the hallways and sometimes reaching even the kitchen of the cafeteria. “GOOD MORNING TEACHER!” is what usually kicks off his day. “GOOD MORNING TEACHER!” is what usually starts his adrenalin going. “GOOD MORNING TEACHER!” is what reminds him that his pupils are ready for another enjoyable learning day. And this greeting he would almost automatically reply to with “Are you ready to discover the world?” which in turn will get a response of “YES TEACHER WE ARE!” But instead of a synchronized shout all he heard was the faint lone voice of the security guard telling him that “Sir December 25 po ngayon.” Such is the dedication of a true teacher. Not even holidays can keep him from being one.

My trip to Vigan

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I have always wanted to go to Vigan ever since I was a student of Architecture in UP. I was fascinated by the pictures I saw in books and have longed to see the Old Antilian Style houses that have been protected from the withering effects of time. Unfortunately, I was short on cash and time during those times so I never got to visit my father’s birthplace. Decades later, I got to visit Vigan but not as an architectural enthusiast but as a travelling psychiatric nursing guru. It only took me three hours to get there from my first stop which was San Fernando City, La Union. But coming from Manila, I believe will take about 10 hours. So here I was in the land of Ilocanos. The first thing I did of course was to go to the hotel which was just a few meters away from the Partas Bus Terminal. I checked in at the Green R  Hotel and it was indeed a budget wise choice, It cost me 600 pesos for a day’s stay which I consider affordable compared to some

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of the exorbitantly priced hotels I have been to. What made this hotel a wiser choice was its proximity to the Public Market and so food and supplies never became an issue for me. By the way, if you are wondering why this hotel is named Green R, I really have no idea hehehehe.